scholarly journals Exposure to Awe-Evoking Natural and Built Scenes Has Positive Effects on Cognitive Performance and Affect

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 1105-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Collado ◽  
Héctor Marín Manrique
Keyword(s):  
Positive Affect ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Careful Selection ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Selection Of

We investigated the possible restorative effects of exposure to awe-evoking scenes (natural/built) compared with mundane scenes (natural/built). A careful selection of visual stimuli was carried out, followed by an experiment with 250 participants. We included a mentally fatigued condition and a not mentally fatigued condition (i.e., control group). Participants’ performance on an attentional task and positive affect were recorded before (T0) and after (T1) exposure to one of four slideshows (i.e., natural/built, awe-evoking; natural/built, mundane). In addition, participants reported how restored they felt after the slideshow presentation, and how awe-evoking and familiar the slideshow was for them. Our depletion task did not affect participants’ performance on the attentional task at T0, so we cannot claim that psychological restoration took place. Nevertheless, we found positive effects of exposure to awe-evoking scenes, and we provide alternative explanations for these effects.

Neuropsychological rehabilitation does not improve cognitive performance but reduces perceived cognitive deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised, controlled, multi-centre trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anu Mäntynen ◽  
Eija Rosti-Otajärvi ◽  
Keijo Koivisto ◽  
Arja Lilja ◽  
Heini Huhtala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation ◽  
Attentional Deficits ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background: There is preliminary evidence on the positive effects of neuropsychological rehabilitation on cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the generalisability of the findings is limited by methodological problems. Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of strategy-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation on MS. Methods: A total of 102 relapsing–remitting MS patients with subjective and objective attentional deficits were randomised into an intervention and a control group. Neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline, at three months immediately after the intervention, and at six months. Patients in the intervention group received neuropsychological rehabilitation once a week in 60-minute sessions for 13 consecutive weeks. The control group received no intervention. Results: Neuropsychological rehabilitation including computer-based attention and working memory retraining, psychoeducation, strategy learning and psychological support did not improve cognitive performance but had a positive effect on perceived cognitive deficits. The intervention group perceived significantly fewer deficits than the control group both immediately after the intervention and at six months. The personal rehabilitation goals were also well achieved. Conclusions: Strategy-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation did not improve cognitive performance but reduced perceived cognitive deficits in MS.

scholarly journals Body Image Relates to Exercise-Induced Antinociception and Mood Changes in Young Adults: A Randomized Longitudinal Exercise Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6801
Author(s):  
Angelika Maurer ◽  
Sebastian Deckert ◽  
Claudia Levenig ◽  
Theresa Schörkmaier ◽  
Carolin Stangier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Effects

Background: An important motivation for adolescents and young adults to engage in aerobic exercise (AE) is to improve fitness, body composition and physical appearance. These parameters have an impact on bodily perception as conceptualized by the ‘body image’ (BI) construct. AE is known to have positive effects on pain perception, mood, and body image (BI). However, no study has hitherto investigated their interrelationship within one study. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG, n = 16, 6 months of AE) or a passive control group (CG, n = 10). Frankfurt Body-Concept Scales (FKKS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, warmth and heat pain thresholds (WPT, HPT), pain tolerance, and graded exercise test data from baseline (T0) and the end of the intervention (T6) were analyzed using a paired t-test (p < 0.05). Results: A significant increase in the BI dimension ‘physical efficacy’ was identified from T0 to T6, which correlated positively with PANAS Positive Affect Scale and HPT. Conclusion: Data in young adults undergoing AE indicate that changes in the BI sub-category ‘physical efficacy’ are closely linked with changes in positive affect and antinociception. These novel findings suggest that BI plays a role in antinociception and positive affect.

scholarly journals A Study on the Alleviating Effects of N-phthaloyl-γ-Aminobutyric Acid (P-GABA) on the Behavioral, Histopathological and Biochemical Adverse Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

2021 ◽  
pp. 580-596
Author(s):  
Uthirakumar Devaraj ◽  
Tamilarasan Shanmugasundaram ◽  
Ammu Ramu ◽  
Elumalai Balamurugan
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Ache Activity ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Favourable Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cell Degeneration ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Background: Sleep is defined as a reversible behavioural state of perceptual disconnection from insensitivity to the environment that facilitates the interaction of physiological and behavioural processes. Sleep Deprivation (S.D.) is defined as a decrease in sleeping duration below the recommended minimum, which has been linked to learning and memory problems. Aim: The primary objective of this work was to determine the effect of P-GABA on metabolic parameters, behavioural changes, whole-body cortisol, and brain histology in light-induced sleep-deprived zebrafish, as well as the optimal dose of P-GABA neutralizing undesirable effects. Methodology: The present study was conducted for ten days, consisting of three days in a row of sleep deprivation and seven days of treatment with P-GABA. The current investigation used six fishes in a group (n=6). Group 1: Control ; Group 2: 24h Total SD ; Group 3: 48h Total SD ; Group 4: 72h Total SD ; Group 5: 24h Total SD + P-GABA (100 mg/L) ; Group 6: 48h Total SD + P-GABA (100 mg/L) ;Group 7: 72h Total SD + P-GABA (100 mg/L) Results: The current study provides scientific data demonstrating the positive effects of P-GABA in treating sleep deprivation and associated cognitive impairment. To test if P-GABA treatment can alleviate the cognitive and memory impairment caused by S.D., we established non-toxic concentrations and treated the zebrafish with a safe dose of 100mg/L. The use of P-GABA increased cognitive performance in the T-maze, demonstrating that it has a favourable effect in a sleep-deprivation condition. The SD group exhibited neutrophil infiltration, and this S.D fish treated with P-GABA at a concentration of 100 mg/L demonstrated a moderate reduction in neuronal cell degeneration compared to controls. The levels of biochemical parameters during sleep deprivation and treatment phase with P-GABA were checked. It was evident from the results that the SOD, CAT and GPX levels in the S.D groups were drastically decreased, whereas treatment with P-GABA could show a significant increase in the levels of biochemical parameters. In contrast to the control group, zebrafish subjected to sleep deprivation showed enhanced AChE activity in the brain. The results of the P-GABA indicated an anti-AChE profile, which corresponds to improved memory parameters in zebrafish, as observed in the NTT and T-maze tests. When comparing the sleep-deprived fish to the control group, the MDA level, which indicates lipid peroxidation, was higher. Treatment with P-GABA considerably reduced the amount of MDA produced compared to the amount produced in sleep-deprived fish. The cortisol levels gradually increased in the single row 24h, 48h, and 72h sleep deprived groups. There was a gradual decrease in cortisol levels in the groups that received P-GABA treatment. The levels of neurotransmitters were seen to be decreased in the sleep-deprived groups when compared with the control. Upon treatment with P-GABA, the neurotransmitters were restored to near normal. Conclusion:  This study showed that P-GABA counteracts cognitive performance decrease and anxiety increase resulting from sleep deprivation through a mechanism implying mitigation of brain oxidative stress and regulation of AChE activity.

Intelligibility Across a Reading Passage: The Effect of Dysarthria and Cued Speaking Styles

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Frits van Brenk ◽  
Kaila Stipancic ◽  
Alexander Kain ◽  
Kris Tjaden
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Read Aloud ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Careful Selection ◽  
Perceptual Assessment ◽  
Perceptual Characteristics ◽  
Speaking Style ◽  
Selection Of

Objective: Reading a passage out loud is a commonly used task in the perceptual assessment of dysarthria. The extent to which perceptual characteristics remain unchanged or stable over the time course of a passage is largely unknown. This study investigated crowdsourced visual analogue scale (VAS) judgments of intelligibility across a reading passage as a function of cued speaking styles commonly used in treatment to maximize intelligibility. Patients and Method: The Hunter passage was read aloud in habitual, slow, loud, and clear speaking styles by 16 speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD), 30 speakers with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 32 control speakers. VAS judgments of intelligibility from three fragments representing the beginning, middle, and end of the reading passage were obtained from 540 crowdsourced online listeners. Results: Overall passage intelligibility was reduced for the two clinical groups relative to the control group. All speaker groups exhibited intelligibility variation across the reading passage, with trends of increased intelligibility toward the end of the reading passage. For control speakers and speakers with PD, patterns of intelligibility variation across passage reading did not differ with speaking style. For the MS group, intelligibility variation across the passage was dependent on speaking style. Conclusions: The presence of intelligibility variation within a reading passage warrants careful selection of speech materials in research and clinical practice. Results further indicate that the crowdsourced VAS rating paradigm is useful to document intelligibility in a reading passage for different cued speaking styles commonly used in treatment for dysarthria.

Affect and Cognitive Performance in High School Wrestlers Undergoing Rapid Weight Loss

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Landers ◽  
Shawn M. Arent ◽  
Rafer S. Lutz
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rapid Weight Loss ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Study Results

Recent research has demonstrated transient affective changes and impairment of short-term memory in college wrestlers as a result of rapid weight loss (RWL) of at least 5% body weight prior to competition. This study examined the effects of RWL on cognition and affect in high school wrestlers. Wrestlers were considered to be engaging in RWL if they were losing over 5% of body weight (n = 14). Those losing less than 1% of body weight (n = 14) were considered maintainers and served as the control group. Both groups were given a battery of tests assessing cognitive performance (Trail Making Tests A & B, Stroop color-word test, Wechsler digit span, and choice reaction/movement time) and affective state (PANAS) at normal weight (5 to 10 days prior to competition) and again 8 to 12 hours prior to weigh-in. Results indicated an average loss of 4.68 kg in the RWL group and 0.29 kg in the control group. A group-by-time MANOVA and univariate follow-up tests indicated a significant group-by-time interaction for positive affect, p < .014, with the RWL wrestlers having less positive affect than the control group just prior to weigh-in. However, none of the cognitive performance tests demonstrated significant differential changes for RWL vs. control groups, p > .10. Given the control for competition effects in the present study, results suggest there are affective disturbances, but not cognitive impairments, associated with RWL of at least 5% body weight in high school wrestlers.

Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1032
Author(s):  
Chia-Hsin Wu ◽  
Roger W. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perceptual Evaluation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Aging Voice ◽  
Before And After

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

Effects of a Group Program to Increase Cognitive Performance Through Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities in Healthy Older Subjects

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Group Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Older Subjects

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.

Caffeine and Placebo Expectation

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfeng Sun ◽  
Yinling Zhang ◽  
Ning He ◽  
Xufeng Liu ◽  
Danmin Miao
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cardiovascular Regulation ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Pressure Tests ◽  
Healthy Males

Abstract. Caffeine placebo expectation seems to improve vigilance and cognitive performance. This study investigated the effect of caffeine and placebo expectation on vigilance and cognitive performance during 28 h sleep deprivation. Ten healthy males volunteered to take part in the double-blind, cross-over study, which required participants to complete five treatment periods of 28 h separated by 1-week wash-out intervals. The treatments were no substance (Control); caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 (C200); placebo 200 mg at 00:00 (P200); twice caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 and 04:00 (C200-C200); caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 and placebo 200 mg at 04:00 (C200-P200). Participants were told that all capsules were caffeine and given information about the effects of caffeine to increase expectation. Vigilance was assessed by a three-letter cancellation test, cognitive functions by the continuous addition test and Stroop test, and cardiovascular regulation by heart rate and blood pressure. Tests were performed bihourly from 00:00 to 10:00 of the second day. Results indicated that C200-P200 and C200-C200 were more alert (p < .05) than Control and P200. Their cognitive functions were higher (p < .05) than Control and P200. Also, C200-P200 scored higher than C200 in the letter cancellation task (p < .05). No test showed any significant differences between C200-P200 and C200-C200. The results demonstrated that the combination of caffeine 200 mg and placebo 200 mg expectation exerted prolonged positive effects on vigilance and cognitive performance.

Dendrobium officinalis Flower Improves Learning and Reduces Memory Impairment by Mediating Antioxidant Effect and Balancing the Release of Neurotransmitters in Senescent Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 402-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Zi Li ◽  
Shan-Shan Lei ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Fu-Chen Zhou ◽  
Ye-Hui Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Morris Water Maze Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Hippocampal Damage ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Mao B ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Brain

Aim and Objective: The Dendrobium officinalis flower (DOF) is popular in China due to common belief in its anti-aging properties and positive effects on “nourish yin”. However, there have been relatively few confirmatory pharmacological experiments conducted to date. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether DOF has beneficial effects on learning and memory in senescent rats, and, if so, to determine its potential mechanism of effect. Materials and Methods: SD rats were administrated orally DOF at a dose of 1.38, or 0.46 g/kg once a day for 8 weeks. Two other groups included a healthy untreated control group and a senescent control group. During the 7th week, a Morris water maze test was performed to assess learning and memory. At the end of the experiment, serum and brain samples were collected to measure concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GSH-Px) in serum, and the neurotransmitters, including γ-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA), Glutamic (Glu), and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) in the brain. Histopathology of the hippocampus was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Results: The results suggested that treatment with DOF improved learning as measured by escape latency, total distance, and target quadrant time, and also increased levels of γ-GABA in the brain. In addition, DOF decreased the levels of MDA, Glu, and MAO-B, and improved SOD and GSHPx. Histopathological analysis showed that DOF also significantly reduced structural lesions and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus relative to untreated senescent rats. Conclusion: DOF alleviated brain aging and improved the spatial learning abilities in senescent rats, potentially by attenuating oxidative stress and thus reducing hippocampal damage and balancing the release of neurotransmitters.

Afterword

2020 ◽  
pp. 680-683
Author(s):  
Janice L. Waldron ◽  
Stephanie Horsley ◽  
Kari K. Veblen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Careful Selection ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Pedagogical Tools ◽  
The Future ◽  
User Data ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Data Surface

We all feel the implications of the force of social media—for good and for ill—in our lives and in our professional world. At the time of this writing, Facebook continues with its struggle to “clean up its act” as more revelations surrounding breaches of trust and hacked user data surface in the news and various countries attempt to hold Facebook to account. Despite this, social media use continues to grow exponentially, and the potential for responsible, ethical, and transparent social media to transform the ways in which we interact with and learn from each other increase with it. As we wait to see what the future holds for social media in society, we are reminded once again that it is the careful selection of pedagogical tools such as social media, as well the guided awareness of the challenges and benefits of those tools, that remains constant, even as tools may change, disappear, or fall out of fashion.

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