scholarly journals Predictors of subjective versus objective cognitive functioning in patients with stable grades II and III glioma

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Gehring ◽  
Martin J.B. Taphoorn ◽  
Margriet M. Sitskoorn ◽  
Neil K. Aaronson

Abstract Background Studies in cancer and noncancer populations demonstrate lower than expected correlations between subjective cognitive symptoms and cognitive functioning as determined by standardized neuropsychological tests. This paper systematically examines the association between subjective and objective cognitive functioning in patients with low-grade glioma and the associations of these indicators of cognitive function with clusters of sociodemographic, clinical, and self-reported physical and mental health factors. Methods Multiple regression analyses with the subjective and 2 objective indicators of cognitive functioning as dependent variables and 4 clusters of predictor variables were conducted in 169 patients with predominantly low-grade glioma. Results Correlations between the subjective and the 2 objective cognitive indicators were negligible (0.04) to low (0.24). Objective cognitive deficits were predominantly associated with sociodemographic (older age, lower education, male sex) and clinical (left hemisphere tumor) variables, while lower ratings of subjective cognitive function were more closely related to self-reported mental health symptoms (fatigue, lower mental well-being), physical (motor) dysfunction and female sex. Self-reported communication deficits were associated significantly with both subjective and objective dysfunction. Conclusions We recommend that both subjective and objective measures of cognitive functioning, together with a measure of psychological distress, be used for comprehensive neuropsychological assessments of patients with glioma to determine which areas are most affected and which specific intervention strategies are most appropriate.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 204-205
Author(s):  
Robert Kaplan

Abstract The accumulation of scientific knowledge has been hampered by inconsistent usage of terms and categories. Ontology is the study of categories, their properties, and the relations between them. This presentation considers the definition and measurement of emotional well-being (EWB), a term that has been used inconsistently in research and clinical practice. The category contains eudaimonic and hedonic well-being that represent interrelated but conceptually distinct aspects of mental health. This presentation will review the definition and measurement of EWB and evidence for the validity of the construct. Evidence suggests EWB increases after age 50 and is important for maintenance of cognitive function in old age. Further, low in EWB may be a risk factor for incident ADRD, and is likely to impair cognitive functioning.


2017 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 799-808.e9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Campanella ◽  
Alvisa Palese ◽  
Fabio Del Missier ◽  
Renzo Moreale ◽  
Tamara Ius ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Joshua Oludare Ogunsemi ◽  
Ebenezer Olutope Akinnawo ◽  
Bede Chinonye Akpunne ◽  
Joy Osagiator Ariyo

The outbreak of the novel (SARS-CoV-2), known as COVID-19, has sparked global severe physical and mental health concerns in many spheres. Part of the identified mental health factors affecting people's psychosocial well-being is an increased level of health worries due to perception of vulnerability, which has been raised by excessive exposure to news, information on rising cases, mortality, and many others. This study focuses on the predictive influence of perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 infection among Nigeria residents during the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 355 Nigerians, 175 (49.3%) males, 180 (50.7%) females aged between 18 years and 42 years (M = 27.24, SD =7.05) participated in the study through an online snowball method. Data was collected using the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ) and Mental Health Continuum Scale- Short Form (MHC-SF). Analysis of results reveals a high prevalence of low psychosocial well-being. That perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 infection significantly predicts psychosocial wellbeing (F (1,353) = 71.8, adj. R2 =.165, p <.01) among respondents. No significant sex influence was observed on psychosocial well-being; educational qualifications and marital status were found to influence the psychosocial well-being of Nigerian during COVID-19 Pandemic significantly. The authors conclude that perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 infection predicts the psychosocial well-being of Nigeria residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi156-vi156
Author(s):  
Giuliana Zarrella ◽  
Michael Parsons ◽  
Janet Sherman ◽  
Jorg Dietrich ◽  
Helen Shih

Abstract INTRODUCTION Our group previously demonstrated stability in neurocognitive function (NCF) over a 5-year period after proton radiation therapy (PRT) in low grade glioma (LGG) patients. Subjective cognitive function (SCF) had not been previously explored, nor had individual analyses of cognition, which can detect variability in trajectory. We used the newly derived Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain Cognitive-Index (FACT-Br-CI) to examine SCF in LGG patients after PRT and compare longitudinal changes in SCF and NCF. METHODS 20 LGG patients (M age =37.5) treated with PRT completed NCF tests and self-report measures annually for 5 years or until tumor progression. Group change in SCF was examined with paired t-test (baseline vs final FACT-Br-CI). Individual change scores were calculated for FACT-Br-CI and NCF tests (clinical trials battery composite; CTBC). Individual deterioration in NCF was defined by reliable change index (RCI) on CTBC, and in SCF was defined as decline of &gt;/=1 SD in FACT-Br-CI. Relationships between change in SCF and NCF were explored with correlations. RESULTS At the group level, no change was observed in FACT-Br-CI between baseline and last follow-up (t(19)=-.91;p=ns). Individual SCF analyses at last follow-up found the number of patients reporting decline=3 (15%), improvement=5 (25%), and no change=12 (60%). Individual changes were observed in SCF in 20% of patients at 3 months, 5.9% at 6 months, 12.5% at 12 months, 13.3% at 24 months, and 11.1% at 36 months. Median time to any deterioration in SCF was 36 months and for NCF was not reached. Correlation between CTBC and FACT-Br-CI change scores did not reach statistical significance (r=.41;p=ns). CONCLUSION Consistent with previous research, group analyses of LGG patients did not show cognitive decline after PRT. However individual analyses of SCF showed variability within the group: some patients experienced cognitive decline during follow up. Consideration of individual differences may yield additional information.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.


Author(s):  
L. Burke-Furey ◽  
F. McNicholas

Individuals with mental illness have poorer physical health, nutritional status, and lowered life expectancy. Optimising their physical and nutritional status has become an increasingly important therapeutic goal. Current experience with COVID-19 has further emphasised the susceptibility to physical illness and poorer outcomes amongst individuals with mental illness and those who are nutritionally compromised. Although life as we knew it has been suspended until the widespread roll-out of a vaccine, individuals can take immediate action to improve physical and mental health by attending to and optimising their nutritional well-being. Clinicians within mental health services have a crucial role to play in assisting such change, and reminding their patients of the importance of pursuing a healthy and balanced diet.


Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1577
Author(s):  
Alona Emodi-Perlman ◽  
Ilana Eli ◽  
Nir Uziel ◽  
Joanna Smardz ◽  
Anahat Khehra ◽  
...  

(1) Background: this study aimed to evaluate the worries, anxiety, and depression in the public during the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown in three culturally different groups of internet survey respondents: Middle Eastern (Israel), European (Poland), and North American (Canada). (2) Methods: a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the mentioned countries during the lockdown periods. The survey included a demographic questionnaire, a questionnaire on personal concerns, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). A total of 2207 people successfully completed the survey. (3) Results: Polish respondents were the most concerned about being infected. Canadian respondents worried the most about their finances, relations with relatives and friends, and both physical and mental health. Polish respondents worried the least about their physical health, and Israeli respondents worried the least about their mental health and relations with relatives and friends. Canadian respondents obtained the highest score in the PHQ-4, while the scores of Israeli respondents were the lowest. (4) Conclusions: various factors should be considered while formulating appropriate solutions in emergency circumstances such as a pandemic. Understanding these factors will aid in the development of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of stress, social isolation, and uncertainty on the well-being and mental health of culturally different societies.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e017303
Author(s):  
Veera Veromaa ◽  
Hannu Kautiainen ◽  
Päivi Elina Korhonen

ObjectivesWork engagement is related to mental health, but studies of physical health’s association with work engagement are scarce. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between physical health, psychosocial risk factors and work engagement among Finnish women in municipal work units.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among 726 female employees from 10 municipal work units of the city of Pori, Finland. Work engagement was assessed with the nine-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. The American Heart Association’s concept of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) was used to define physical health (non-smoking, body mass index <25.0 kg/m2, physical activity at goal, healthy diet, total cholesterol <5.18mmol/L, blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg, normal glucose tolerance). Psychosocial risk factors (social isolation, stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, hostility and type D personality) were included as core questions suggested by 2012 European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention.ResultsOf the study subjects, 25.2% had favourable 5–7 CVH metrics. The sum of CVH metrics, healthy diet and physical activity at goal were positively associated with work engagement. In subjects without psychosocial risk factors (36.7%), work engagement was high and stable. Presence of even one psychosocial risk factor was associated with a lower level of work engagement regardless of the sum of ideal CVH metrics.ConclusionsBoth physical and mental health factors have a positive relationship with work engagement, whereas the presence of even one psychosocial risk factor has a negative association regardless of the level of classic cardiovascular risk factors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Thomson ◽  
Maureen Wilson-Genderson ◽  
Laura A Siminoff

Abstract Background Informal caregivers play a fundamental role in the care of hematological cancer patients, but less is known about how secondary caregivers are involved. We assessed the presence or absence of a secondary caregiver, the types of caregiving activities performed by primary and secondary caregivers and examined whether the presence of a secondary caregiver was associated with primary caregiver characteristics and wellbeing over time. Methods A case series of hematological cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 171) were recruited from oncology clinics in Virginia and Pennsylvania and followed for 2 years. Multi-level models were developed to examine the associations between presence of a secondary caregiver and the primary caregivers’ well-being. Results Most (64.9%) primary caregivers reported having secondary caregivers. Multilevel models showed primary caregivers without help had higher baseline mental and physical health, but experienced deteriorating physical health overtime, compared to supported primary caregivers. Supported primary caregivers reported improvements in mental health over time that was associated with improvements in physical health. Conclusions Primary caregivers in good physical and mental health at the beginning of their caregiving journey but who have the least assistance from others may be at greatest risk for detrimental physical health effects long term. Attention to the arrangement of caregiving roles (i.e., who provides what care) overtime is needed to ensure that caregivers remain healthy and well supported.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document