Bayesian log‐Gaussian Cox process regression: applications to meta‐analysis of neuroimaging working memory studies

One of the most studied aspects of children’s cognitive development is that of the development of the executive function, and research has shown that physical activity has been demonstrated as a key factor in its enhancement. This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of specific sports interventions on the executive function of children and teenagers. A systematic review was carried out on 1 November 2020 to search for published scientific evidence that analysed different sports programs that possibly affected executive function in students. Longitudinal studies, which assessed the effects of sports interventions on subjects between 6 and 18 years old, were identified through a systematic search of the four principal electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. A total of eight studies, with 424 subjects overall, met the inclusion criteria and were classified based on one or more of the following categories: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. The random-effects model for meta-analyses was performed with RevMan version 5.3 to facilitate the analysis of the studies. Large effect sizes were found in all categories: working memory (ES −1.25; 95% CI −1.70; −0.79; p < 0.0001); inhibitory control (ES −1.30; 95% CI −1.98; −0.63; p < 0.00001); and cognitive flexibility (ES −1.52; 95% CI −2.20; −0.83; p < 0.00001). Our analysis concluded that healthy children and teenagers should be encouraged to practice sports in order to improve their executive function at every stage of their development.

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Working memory and second language comprehension and production: A meta-analysis

Psychonomic Bulletin & Review ◽

10.3758/s13423-013-0565-2 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 861-883 ◽

Cited By ~ 182

Author(s):

Jared A. Linck ◽

Peter Osthus ◽

Joel T. Koeth ◽

Michael F. Bunting

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Second Language ◽

Language Comprehension ◽

Meta Analysis

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The integrated nested Laplace approximation applied to spatial log-Gaussian Cox process models

Journal of Applied Statistics ◽

10.1080/02664763.2021.2023116 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Kenneth Flagg ◽

Andrew Hoegh

Keyword(s):

Laplace Approximation ◽

Process Models ◽

Cox Process ◽

Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation ◽

Log Gaussian Cox Process

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The Roles of Initial Mathematics, Reading, and Cognitive Skills in Subsequent Mathematics Performance: A Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Review of Educational Research ◽

10.3102/00346543211054576 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003465432110545

Author(s):

Xin Lin ◽

Sarah R. Powell

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Structural Equation Modeling ◽

Cognitive Skills ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Time Lag ◽

Mathematics Performance ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Word Problem Solving ◽

Significant Moderator

In the present meta-analysis, we systematically investigated the relative contributions of students’ initial mathematics, reading, and cognitive skills on subsequent mathematics performance measured at least 3 months later. With one-stage meta-analytic structural equation modeling, we conducted analyses based on 580,437 students from 265 independent samples and 250 studies. Findings suggested fluency in both mathematics and reading, as well as working memory, yielded greater impacts on subsequent mathematics performance. Age emerged as a significant moderator in the model, such that the effects of comprehensive mathematics and working memory on subsequent mathematics increased with age, whereas attention and self-regulation’s impacts declined with age. Time lag between assessments also emerged as a significant moderator, such that the effects of word-problem solving and word recognition accuracy decreased as the time lag increased, whereas vocabulary, attention, and self-regulation’s effects increased as the time lag increased.

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The effectiveness of serious games in improving memory among elderly people with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.35202 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alaa Abd-alrazaq ◽

Dari Alhuwail ◽

Eiman Al-Jafar ◽

Arfan Ahmed ◽

Shuja Mohd Reagu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Serious Games ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Quality Of Evidence ◽

Meta Analyses

BACKGROUND Memory, one of the main cognitive functions, is known to decline by age. Serious games have been used for improving memory among the elderly. The effectiveness of serious games in improving memory has been investigated by several systematic reviews; however, they are limited by design and methodological weaknesses. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the effectiveness of serious games in improving memory among the elderly with cognitive impairment. METHODS A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was carried out. The search sources included searching 8 databases, screening reference lists of the included studies and relevant reviews, and checking studies that cited the included studies. Two reviewers independently carried out the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and quality of evidence appraisal. Extracted data were synthesized using a narrative approach and a statistical approach (i.e., meta-analysis), as appropriate. RESULTS Out of 466 citations retrieved, 18 studies met the eligibility criteria of this review. Of those, 15 RCTs were eventually included in 10 meta-analyses. We found that serious games are more effective than no or passive interventions in improving non-verbal memory (P=0.002) and working memory (P=0.02), but not verbal memory (P=0.13). The review also showed that serious games are more effective than conventional exercises in improving verbal memory (P=0.004), but not for non-verbal memory (P=0.12) and working memory (P=0.49). Serious games were as effective as conventional cognitive activities in improving verbal memory (P=0.07), non-verbal memory (P=0.94), and working memory (P=0.08) among the elderly with cognitive impairment. Lastly, the effect of adaptive serious games on working memory was comparable to non-adaptive serious games (P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS Serious games have the potential to improve verbal, non-verbal, and working memory among elderly people with cognitive impairment. However, our findings should be interpreted cautiously given that most meta-analyses were based on a few studies (≤3) and judged to have a low quality of evidence. Therefore, serious games should be offered as supplemental to existing proven and safe interventions, rather than a complete substitute until further, more robust evidence is available. Future studies should investigate the short and long-term effects of serious games on memory and other cognitive abilities among people from different age groups with or without cognitive impairment.

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Meta-Analysis on Cognitive Benefit of Exercise after Stroke

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2021/5569346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Bo Yang ◽

Shuming Wang

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Combined Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Cognitive Benefit

ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to evaluate the cognitive benefit of exercise after stroke, so as to provide more accurate and reliable guidance for targeted exercise intervention. Methods. Randomized controlled trials of the relationship between exercise and cognition after stroke were identified in Cochrane Library and PubMed. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane tool of bias. SMD and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and Chi-squared test (Q) was adopted to estimate the heterogeneity. Results. (a) Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria, including 1528 participants. Heterogeneity was from low to high such as attention (I2 = 0.00%), executive function (I2 = 0.00%), cognition (I2 = 64%), and working memory (I2 = 77%). (b) The overall effect on cognition was small (SMD = 0.16 [0.04, 0.28]) but significant and there is a difference between cognitive domains in attention (SMD = −0.35 [−0.57, −0.14]), executive function (SMD = −0.24 [−0.40, −0.08]), and working memory (SMD = 0.36 [0.20, 0.53]). (c) Exercise training was less effective before the 18th month after stroke. Higher benefits on cognition were found after combined therapy compared with other exercise programs, and the older the stroke survivors, the less the cognitive benefit of exercise. Conclusion. Small-to-moderate effect of exercise on cognitive benefit after stroke was found, and the effect was moderated by treatment protocols and sample characteristics.

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