scholarly journals Questioning the Effort Hypothesis That Depressed Patients Perform Disproportionately Worse on Effortful Cognitive Tasks

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-414
Author(s):  
Dustin B. Hammers ◽  
Sara Weisenbach
Keyword(s):  
Digit Span ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Moderate Depression ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Neuropsychological Evaluations ◽  
Accuracy Indices ◽  
Effort Hypothesis

The debate over Hasher and Zacks’ effort hypothesis—that performance on effortful tasks by patients with depression will be disproportionately worse than their performance on automatic tasks—shows a need for additional research to settle whether or not this notion is “clinical lore.” In this study, we categorized 285 outpatient recipients of neuropsychological evaluations into three groups—No Depression, Mild-to-Moderate Depression, and Severe Depression—based on their Beck Depression Inventory-2 self-reports. We then compared these groups’ performances on both “automatic” and “effortful” versions of the Ruff 2 & 7 Selective Attention Test Total Speed and Total Accuracy Indices, the Digit Span subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intellectual Scale—Fourth Edition, and Trail Making Test Parts A and B, using a two-way (3 × 2) mixed multivariate analysis of variance. Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Depression or Severe Depression performed disproportionately worse than patients with No Depression in our sample on more effortful versions of only one of the four attention or executive functioning measures (Trail Making Test). Thus, these data failed to fully support a hypothesis of disproportionately worse performance on more effortful tasks. While this study failed to negate the effort hypothesis in some specific instances, particularly for use in the Trail Making Test, there is cause for caution in routinely applying the effort hypothesis when interpreting test findings in most clinical settings and for most measures.

scholarly journals Structural and functional changes related to memory deficit in non-demential elderly individuals

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 533
Author(s):  
Nísea De A. Corrêa ◽  
Maria P. Foss ◽  
Paula R. B. Diniz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Memory Deficit ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Wechsler Memory Scale ◽  
Trail Making

Objetivo: Verificar as alterações estruturais e funcionais, evidenciadas através da imagem por ressonância magnética, relacionadas aos déficits de memória identificados em idosos normais, quando comparados a adultos jovens. Metodologia: Procedeu-se à revisão sistemática, cujo protocolo obedeceu ao fluxograma do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Foram investigadas as bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, utilizando o gerenciador de referências JabRef, na versão 2.10, e o Web of Science, pelo website. Foram incluídos artigos de estudos quase experimentais, transversais, em coorte ou tipo caso-controle, publicados entre 2005 e 2014, em periódicos indexados nacionais e internacionais, cuja amostra incluísse idosos a partir de 60 anos, não dementes, submetidos à investigação de alterações estruturais e funcionais do sistema nervoso central, por ressonância magnética e sua associação com déficits de memória avaliados por testes neuropsicológicos. Resultados: Quanto à técnica de imagem empregada, identificaram-se dois estudos com imagem por ressonância magnética estrutural, seis estudos com utilização de imagem por ressonância magnética funcional, e quatro estudos que empregaram ambas as técnicas. Nos 12 estudos foi identificado o emprego de 38 testes neuropsicológicos distintos, com uma média de cinco testes por estudo, com variação de um a 12 testes. Dentre os testes mais usados, estiveram o WAIS Digit Span Backwards (em sete estudos), o Trail Making Test A and B (em quatro estudos) e o Wechsler Memory Scale (em quatro estudos). Conclusão: Os estudos demonstraram que no envelhecimento normal, ocorre redução do volume de substância branca para-hipocampal, do volume do hipocampo e do córtex entorrinal com redução de memória verbal, possivelmente por desmielinização das fibras; redução das vias que ligam o lobo temporal e frontal, contribuindo para a redução da memória episódica, da memória de trabalho e da fluência verbal; redução da supressão de informações irrelevantes, o que contribui para menor registro de informação; alterações das áreas frontal e parietal que comprometem a memória de reconhecimento; modificações na atividade e na conectividade do default mode network; reorganização das funções cognitivas, bem como alentecimento de resposta por provável redução de ativação do córtex pré- frontal

scholarly journals Alteração na atenção e o tratamento da dor do câncer

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geana Paula Kurita ◽  
Cibele Andrucioli de Mattos Pimenta ◽  
José Oswaldo de Oliveira Júnior ◽  
Ricardo Caponeiro
Keyword(s):  
Digit Span ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Digit Span Test ◽  
Span Test ◽  
Trail Making

Os danos à vida diária que a alteração cognitiva pode provocar motivaram a elaboração deste estudo, cujo objetivo foi analisar o impacto do tratamento da dor com opióides sobre a atenção. Os doentes foram divididos em grupos que recebiam (n=14) e não recebiam opióides (n=12). Foram feitas três entrevistas, utilizando-se o Trail Making Test e o Digit Span Test, que avaliam a atenção. Os grupos foram homogêneos nas variáveis sociodemográficas, dor e depressão; não foram homogêneos no índice de Karnofsky e no recebimento de analgésicos adjuvantes. Os doentes sem opióides tiveram melhor desempenho no Digit Span Test - ordem inversa, na segunda avaliação (p=0,29) e não foram observadas diferenças no Trail Making Test. As alterações observadas foram limitadas, mas, enquanto novos estudos não confirmem os achados, doentes, profissionais e cuidadores devem ser alertados dos possíveis efeitos deletérios dos opióides sobre a função cognitiva.

scholarly journals Applicability of the Test of Variables of Attention – T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia M. Memória ◽  
Henrique C.S. Muela ◽  
Natália C. Moraes ◽  
Valéria A. Costa-Hong ◽  
Michel F. Machado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
State Examination

ABSTRACT The functioning of attention is complex, a primordial function in several cognitive processes and of great interest to neuropsychology. The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A) is a continuous computerized performance test that evaluates some attention components such as response time to a stimulus and errors due to inattention and impulsivity. Objective: 1) To evaluate the applicability of T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults; 2) To analyze the differences in performance between genders, age ranges, and levels of education; 3) To examine the association between T.O.V.A variables and other attention and cognitive screening tests. Methods: The T.O.V.A was applied to 63 healthy adults (24 to 78 years of age) who also underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Digit Span and Digit Symbol (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults – WAIS-III) and the Trail Making Test. Results: the T.O.V.A was little influenced by age or education, but was influenced by gender. The correlations between some T.O.V.A variables and the Digit Symbol and Trail Making test were weak (r-values between 0.2 and 0.4), but significant (p<0.05). There was no correlation with the Digit Span test. Conclusion: The T.O.V.A showed good applicability and proved adequate for evaluating attentional processes in adults.

scholarly journals Free-Weight Resistance Exercise Is More Effective in Enhancing Inhibitory Control than Machine-Based Training: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Wilke ◽  
Vanessa Stricker ◽  
Susanne Usedly
Keyword(s):  
Digit Span ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Word Condition ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Digit Span Test ◽  
Span Test ◽  
Free Weight ◽  
Trail Making

Resistance exercise has been demonstrated to improve brain function. However, the optimal workout characteristics are a matter of debate. This randomized, controlled trial aimed to elucidate differences between free-weight (REfree) and machine-based (REmach) training with regard to their ability to acutely enhance cognitive performance (CP). A total of n = 46 healthy individuals (27 ± 4 years, 26 men) performed a 45-min bout of REfree (military press, barbell squat, bench press) or REmach (shoulder press, leg press, chest press). Pre- and post-intervention, CP was examined using the Stroop test, Trail Making Test and Digit Span test. Mann–Whitney U tests did not reveal between-group differences for performance in the Digit Span test, Trail Making test and the color and word conditions of the Stroop test (p > 0.05). However, REfree was superior to REmach in the Stroop color-word condition (+6.3%, p = 0.02, R = 0.35). Additionally, REfree elicited pre-post changes in all parameters except for the Digit Span test and the word condition of the Stroop test while REmach only improved cognitive performance in part A of the Trail Making test. Using free weights seems to be the more effective RE method to acutely improve cognitive function (i.e., inhibitory control). The mechanisms of this finding merit further investigation.

The Association of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism With Cognitive Performance in Nondemented Polish Adults Aged 55 to 75

2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata T. Piskunowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Linkowska ◽  
Szymon Gołota ◽  
Tomasz Grzybowski ◽  
Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apolipoprotein E ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Auditory Memory ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Complex Figure ◽  
General Linear Model Analysis ◽  
Trail Making

The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is known as a risk factor for dementia. How APOE ε polymorphism affects cognitive performance in nondemented aging subjects remains less clear. In this study, the relationship between APOE status and cognitive performance across various cognitive domains in adults aged 55 to 75 years ( n = 74) without dementia was investigated. E4 carriers ( n = 11) performed worse versus noncarriers on forward Digit Span and delayed recall of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure. General linear model analysis revealed a small but significant main effect of ε4 on Rey-Osterrieth complex figure delayed recall. Comparing ε2 carriers, ε3 homozygotes, and ε4 carriers, ε3/ε3 performed significantly better on Trail Making Test part B and derived score Trail Making Test B-A. The findings support the relation between the APOE ε polymorphism and visual memory, short-term auditory memory, visuospatial attention, and executive functions in an aging sample without dementia.

scholarly journals Trail Making contributes to subjective judgment of visual efficiency in older adults

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Setti ◽  
James Loughman ◽  
George M Savva ◽  
RoseAnne Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Choice Response ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Ocular Pathology ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Trail Making

Introduction: The determinant factors that influence self-reported quality of vision have yet to be fully elucidated. This study evaluated a range of contextual information, established psychophysical tests, and in particular, a series of cognitive tests as potentially novel determinant factors. Materials & Methods: Community dwelling adults (aged 50+) recruited to Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, excluding those registered blind, participated in this study (N=5021). Self-reports of vision were analysed in relation to visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, ocular pathology, visual (Choice Response Time task; Trail Making Test) and global cognition. Contextual factors such as having visited an optometrist and wearing glasses were also considered. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine univariate and multivariate associations. Results and Discussion: Poor Trail Making Test performance (Odds ratio, OR= 1.36), visual acuity (OR =1.72) and ocular pathology (OR=2.25) were determinant factors for poor versus excellent vision in self-reports. Education, wealth, age, depressive symptoms and general cognitive fitness also contributed to determining self-reported vision. Conclusions: Trail Making Test contribution to self-reports may capture higher level visual processing and should be considered when using self-reports to assess vision and its role in cognitive and functional health.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular risk moderates the effect of aerobic exercise on executive functions in older adults with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy K. Barha ◽  
Elizabeth Dao ◽  
Lauren Marcotte ◽  
Ging-Yuek Robin Hsiung ◽  
Roger Tam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Executive Processes ◽  
Trail Making

AbstractAerobic training (AT) can promote cognitive function in adults with Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment (SIVCI) by modifying cardiovascular risk factors. However, pre-existing cardiovascular health may attenuate the benefits of AT on cognitive outcomes in SIVCI. We examined whether baseline cardiovascular risk moderates the effect of a 6-month progressive AT program on executive functions with a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in 71 adults, who were randomized to either: (1) 3×/week progressive AT; or (2) education program (CON). Three executive processes were measured: (1) response inhibition by Stroop Test; (2) working memory by digits backward test; and (3) set shifting by the Trail Making Test. Baseline cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Framingham cardiovascular disease (CVD) Risk Score (FCRS), and participants were classified as either low risk (< 20% FCRS score; LCVR) or high risk (≥ 20% FCRS score; HCVR). A complete case analysis (n = 58) was conducted using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to evaluate between-group differences in the three executive processes. A significant interaction was found between cardiovascular risk group and intervention group (AT or CON) for the digit span backward and the Trail Making Test. AT improved performance compared with CON in those with LCVR, while in those with HCVR, AT did not improve performance compared with CON. Baseline cardiovascular risk significantly moderates the efficacy of AT on cognition. Our findings highlight the importance of intervening early in the disease course of SIVCI, when cardiovascular risk may be lower, to reap maximum benefits of aerobic exercise.

scholarly journals Natural Is Not Always Better: The Varied Effects of a Natural Environment and Exercise on Affect and Cognition

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet P. Trammell ◽  
Shaya C. Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Affect And Cognition ◽  
Trail Making

The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) has been widely cited to account for beneficial effects of natural environments on affect and attention. However, the effects of environment and exercise are not consistent. In a within-subjects design, participants completed affective and cognitive measures that varied in attentional demands (memory, working memory, and executive function) both before and after exercise in a natural and indoor environment. Contrary to the hypotheses, a natural environment resulted in lower positive affect and no difference in negative affect compared to an indoor environment. A natural environment resulted in the most improvement for cognitive tasks that required moderate attentional demand: Trail Making Test A and Digit Span Forwards. As predicted, exercise resulted in improved affect and improved executive function (Trail Making Test B). There were no interactions between environment and exercise. These results suggest that ART cannot fully explain the influence of environment on affect and cognition.

scholarly journals Trail Making contributes to subjective judgment of visual efficiency in older adults

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Setti ◽  
James Loughman ◽  
George M Savva ◽  
RoseAnne Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Choice Response ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Ocular Pathology ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Trail Making

Introduction: The determinant factors that influence self-reported quality of vision have yet to be fully elucidated. This study evaluated a range of contextual information, established psychophysical tests, and in particular, a series of cognitive tests as potentially novel determinant factors. Materials & Methods: Community dwelling adults (aged 50+) recruited to Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, excluding those registered blind, participated in this study (N=5021). Self-reports of vision were analysed in relation to visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, ocular pathology, visual (Choice Response Time task; Trail Making Test) and global cognition. Contextual factors such as having visited an optometrist and wearing glasses were also considered. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine univariate and multivariate associations. Results and Discussion: Poor Trail Making Test performance (Odds ratio, OR= 1.36), visual acuity (OR =1.72) and ocular pathology (OR=2.25) were determinant factors for poor versus excellent vision in self-reports. Education, wealth, age, depressive symptoms and general cognitive fitness also contributed to determining self-reported vision. Conclusions: Trail Making Test contribution to self-reports may capture higher level visual processing and should be considered when using self-reports to assess vision and its role in cognitive and functional health.

Change in Balance and Neuropsychological Measures Post-Lumbar Drain Trial in Patients with Suspected Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hannah E. Wadsworth ◽  
Daniel K. Horton ◽  
Kaltra Dhima ◽  
C. Munro Cullum ◽  
Jonathan White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Clinical Change ◽  
Vp Shunt ◽  
Lumbar Drain ◽  
Trail Making

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is commonly used to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Assessment of cognition and balance pre- and post-lumbar drain (LD) can be used to provide objective metrics which may help determine the potential benefit of VP shunting. The aim of this investigation was to determine which measures identify clinical change as a result of a LD trial and to develop recommendations for standard NPH clinical assessment procedures. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and a brief battery of commonly used neuropsychological tests pre- and post-LD (MMSE, trail making test, animal fluency, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised, and digit span) were administered to 86 patients with a diagnosis of NPH. Subjects were divided into groups based on whether or not clinical change was present, and thus, VP shunting was recommended post-LD, and predictors of group membership were examined. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Significant improvements (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05) were seen on the BBS and Trail Making Part B in the VP shunt-recommended group, with no other significant changes over time in either group. Regression analyses found that VP shunt recommendation was accurately predicted for 80% of the sample using the BBS score alone, with accuracy increasing to 85% when Trails B was added. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Scores from the BBS and Trails B were most likely to change in those chosen to undergo VP shunting post-LD. Given that the typical clinical presentation of NPH includes gait disturbance and cognitive impairment, it is recommended that a standard pre-/post-LD evaluation include the BBS and trail making test.

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