The impact of pandemic-related worry on cognitive functioning and risk-taking

Here, we sought to quantify the effects of experienced fear and worry, engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, on both cognitive abilities—speed of information processing, task-set shifting, and proactive control—as well as economic risk-taking. Leveraging a repeated-measures cross-sectional design, we examined the performance of 1517 participants, collected during the early phase of the pandemic in the US (April–June 2020), finding that self-reported pandemic-related worry predicted deficits in information processing speed and maintenance of goal-related contextual information. In a classic economic risk-taking task, we observed that worried individuals’ choices were more sensitive to the described outcome probabilities of risky actions. Overall, these results elucidate the cognitive consequences of a large-scale, unpredictable, and uncontrollable stressor, which may in turn play an important role in individuals’ understanding of, and adherence to safety directives both in the current crisis and future public health emergencies.

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The impact of pandemic-related worry on cognitive functioning and risk-taking

10.31234/osf.io/wxmks ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kevin da Silva Castanheira ◽

Madeleine Sharp ◽

A Ross Otto

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Risk Taking ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Economic Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Speed Of Information Processing ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

The Impact

Here, we sought to quantify the effects of experienced fear and worry, engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, on both cognitive abilities—speed of information processing, task-set shifting, and proactive control—as well as economic risk-taking. Leveraging a repeated-measures cross-sectional design, we examined the performance of 1517 participants, collected during the early phase of the pandemic in the US (April – June 2020), finding that self-reported pandemic-related worry predicted deficits in information processing speed and maintenance of goal-related context information. Cognitive performance was also impaired relative to pre-pandemic ‘baseline’ samples. In a classic economic risk-taking task, we also observed that more worried individuals’ choices were more sensitive to outcome probabilities of risky actions. Overall, these results elucidate the cognitive consequences of pandemic worry, which may play an important role in individuals’ understanding of—and adherence to—public health directives.

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Measuring physical activity using accelerometry in 13–15-year-old adolescents: the importance of including non-wear activities

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980011001868 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 2124-2133 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Femke De Meester ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Benedicte Deforche ◽

Charlene Ottevaere ◽

Greet Cardon

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Large Scale ◽

Total Sample ◽

Young Adolescents ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Time Activity ◽

Wear Time ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to examine the impact of non-wear activities registered in diaries when using accelerometers to assess physical activity (PA) in young adolescents.DesignData arise from a large-scale cross-sectional study on PA. PA was objectively assessed using Actigraph™ accelerometers (Actigraph MTI, Manufacturing Technology Inc., Pensacola, FL, USA) during seven consecutive days. Non-wear time activity diaries were provided to register the activities for which the accelerometer was removed. After correction to deal with over-reporting, the registered minutes of PA were used to replace periods of non-wear time measured by the accelerometer.SettingBetween October 2008 and May 2009 adolescents were recruited by home visits in Ghent (Belgium).SubjectsYoung adolescents (n 513; 48·6 % boys) aged 13 to 15 years.ResultsOf the total sample, 49·9 % registered at least one activity of moderate to vigorous intensity in the non-wear time activity diary. More adolescents registered an activity performed on a weekday than on a weekend day and the registered mean number of minutes of moderate to vigorous PA were higher on weekend days. Repeated-measures (M)ANOVA tests revealed a significant difference between the mean minutes with and without non-wear activities for all PA intensities, regardless of adolescents’ socio-economic status or gender. More adolescents achieved the PA recommendations after inclusion of the non-wear activities irrespective of accelerometer thresholds used.ConclusionsThe collection of information regarding non-wear time by non-wear time activity diaries when using accelerometers in 13–15-year-old adolescents can lead to different PA outcomes at the individual level and therefore can improve the ability to accurately measure PA.

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Computerized Simple Reaction Time and Balance in Nondemented Parkinson’s Patients

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

10.1159/000517437 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Aida Arroyo-Ferrer ◽

Jorge Andreo ◽

José A. Periáñez ◽

Marcos Ríos-Lago ◽

Genny Lubrini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Simple Reaction Time ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Simple Reaction ◽

Speed Of Information Processing

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients are known to suffer from subtle cognitive and balance deficits from the early stages although they usually manifest in advanced stages. Postural instability (PI) has been correlated with slower information processing speed. Simple reaction time (SRT) tasks can be used to measure the speed of information processing. The main objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of SRT as a valid predictor of balance in PD, thus providing a simple and complementary assessment method. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 52 PD patients without dementia who were evaluated for balance using the pull test (PT) maneuver and Biodex® limits of stability (LOS). In addition, a reaction time task was used to measure processing speed. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: The performance of SRT tasks was correlated with the evaluation of LOS% and PT, suggesting that the SRT may be a predictor of balance performance. Longer reaction time and poorer postural stability were also associated with disease duration but not with age. Conclusions: Poor performance in a simple reaction task can predict altered PI and can complement staging and evaluation in PD patients.

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Impact of COVID-19 on Nuclear Medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: An International Survey in April 2020

Nuklearmedizin ◽

10.1055/a-1163-3096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (04) ◽

pp. 294-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lutz S. Freudenberg ◽

Ulf Dittmer ◽

Ken Herrmann

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Medicine ◽

Health Systems ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Large Scale ◽

Diagnostic Procedures ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Web Based ◽

Public Versus Private ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Preparations of health systems to accommodate large number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in March/April 2020 has a significant impact on nuclear medicine departments. Materials and Methods A web-based questionnaire was designed to differentiate the impact of the pandemic on inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine operations and on public versus private health systems, respectively. Questions were addressing the following issues: impact on nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapy, use of recommendations, personal protective equipment, and organizational adaptations. The survey was available for 6 days and closed on April 20, 2020. Results 113 complete responses were recorded. Nearly all participants (97 %) report a decline of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures. The mean reduction in the last three weeks for PET/CT, scintigraphies of bone, myocardium, lung thyroid, sentinel lymph-node are –14.4 %, –47.2 %, –47.5 %, –40.7 %, –58.4 %, and –25.2 % respectively. Furthermore, 76 % of the participants report a reduction in therapies especially for benign thyroid disease (-41.8 %) and radiosynoviorthesis (–53.8 %) while tumor therapies remained mainly stable. 48 % of the participants report a shortage of personal protective equipment. Conclusions Nuclear medicine services are notably reduced 3 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reached Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a large scale. We must be aware that the current crisis will also have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. As the survey cannot adapt to daily dynamic changes in priorities, it serves as a first snapshot requiring follow-up studies and comparisons with other countries and regions.

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Reduced information processing speed as primum movens for cognitive decline in MS

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458514537012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 83-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Jeroen Van Schependom ◽

Marie B D’hooghe ◽

Krista Cleynhens ◽

Mieke D’hooge ◽

Marie-Claire Haelewyck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Information Processing ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Time Course ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Memory Task ◽

Cognitive Domain ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Survival Curves ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Cognitive impairment affects half of the multiple sclerosis (MS) patient population and is an important contributor to patients’ daily activities. Most cognitive impairment studies in MS are, however, cross-sectional or/and focused on the early disease stages. Objective: We aim to assess the time course of decline of different cognitive domains. Methods: We collected neuropsychological data on 514 MS patients to construct Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the tests included in the Neuropsychological Screening Battery for MS (NSBMS) and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Cox-proportional hazard models were constructed to examine the influence of MS onset type, age at onset, gender, depression and level of education on the time course, expressed as age or disease. Results: Survival curves of tests focusing on information processing speed (IPS) declined significantly faster than tests with less specific demands of IPS. Median age for pathological decline was 56.2 years (95% CI: 54.4–58.2) on the SDMT and 63.9 years (95% CI: 60–66.9) on the CLTR, a memory task. Conclusion: In conclusion, IPS is the cognitive domain not only most widely affected by MS but it is also the first cognitive deficit to emerge in MS.

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HUBUNGAN PANDEMI COVID-19 DAN PSBB DENGAN GANGGUAN DEPRESI PADA LANSIA DI PANTI WREDA HANA CIPUTAT JAKARTA

Jurnal Muara Medika dan Psikologi Klinis ◽

10.24912/jmmpk.v1i1.12087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Anggun Tsabitah Rachmah ◽

Noer Saelan Tadjudin

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Large Scale ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

The Elderly ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

Pemerintah Indonesia selama pandemi COVID-19 menerapkan PSBB (Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar) dimana PSBB tersebut membuat aktivitas masyarakat dibatasi, dampaknya juga bisa dirasakan pada lansia di Panti Wreda sehingga dapat menyebabkan timbulnya gangguan depresi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan pandemi COVID-19 dan PSBB dengan gangguan depresi pada lansia di Panti Wreda Hana Ciputat Jakarta. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analitik observational dengan desain studi cross sectional. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Panti Wreda Hana Ciputat Jakarta terhadap lansia sejumlah 56 subjek penelitian yang terdiri dari perempuan 48 orang dan laki-laki 8 orang. Dari 56 subjek penelitian jumlah laki-laki 8 (14,3%) dan perempuan 48 (85,7%). Sebelum terjadinya pandemi COVID-19 dan PSBB, subjek penelitian yang tidak depresi sejumlah 49 subjek (87,5 %), kemungkinan besar depresi 6 subjek (10,7%), dan yang mengalami depresi 1 subjek (1,8%). Selama pandemi COVID19 dan PSBB, subjek penelitian yang tidak depresi 38 subjek (67,9%), kemungkinan besar depresi 14 subjek (25%), dan yang mengalami depresi 4 subjek (7,1%). Berdasarkan hasil uji Chi-square nilai p= 0,000. Dapat disimpulkan terdapat hubungan pandemi COVID-19 dan PSBB dengan gangguan depresi pada lansia di Panti Wreda Hana Ciputat Jakarta. The Government of Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic implemented PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restrictions) where the PSBB made community activities restricted, the impact can also be felt on the elderly in nursing home so that it can cause depressive disorders. This research was done in order to determine the relationship of the COVID-19 pandemic and PSBB with depressive disorders in the elderly at the Ciputat Hana Nursing Home in Jakarta. This study used an observational analytic method with a cross sectional study design. The research was conducted at the Ciputat Hana Nursing Home in Jakarta for 56 elderly subjects. In the nursing home consist of 48 women and 8 men. In 56 research subjects, there were 8 (14,3%) men and 48 (85,7%) women. Before the Pandemic of COVID-19 and PSBB, there were 49 (87,5%) research subjects who were not depressed, 6 (10,7%) research subjects who were most likely depressed, and 1 (1,8%) research subject who were depressed. During the Pandemic of COVID-19 and PSBB, there were 38 (67,9%) research subjects who were not depressed, 14 (25%) research subjects who were most likely depressed, and 4 (7,1%) research subjects who were depressed. Based on Chi-Square test result, the value of P = 0,000. In conclusion, there is a correlation between the pandemic of COVID-19 and PSBB with depression disorder in the elderly at Ciputat Hana Nursing Home in Jakarta.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Career Intention Among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Single-center Cross-Sectional Study in Hubei Province

10.21203/rs.3.rs-622888/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xue-lin Wang ◽

Ming-xiu Liu ◽

Shuai Peng ◽

Lei Yang ◽

Chen Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Health Worker ◽

Large Scale ◽

Career Planning ◽

Limited Information ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Career Intentions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Career Intention ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background：Undergraduate medical (UM) students faced the realities of the difficulties inherent in medical careers due to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Thus imperative containment measures could affect UM students’ career intentions. There is limited information regarding the factors potentially associated with these students’ career change intentions.Methods：we conducted a cross-sectional survey to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on career intention and the associated factors in UM students in August 2020. Univariate analyses and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the factors that contributed to any change of career intention.Results: A total of 2,040 medical students were contained from Hubei University of Medicine. The change of career intention was related to grade, attitude towards being a health worker and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusions: Changes in career intentions were particularly influenced by grade, attitude towards being a health worker, and the degree of COVID-19’s impact on the participants’ lives. Treating large-scale public health emergencies in rational way, setting up correct views of occupation choice and building reasonable career planning may reduce the loss of medical talents.

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A decade of sun protection in Australian early-childhood services: analysis of cross-sectional and repeated-measures data

Health Education Research ◽

10.1093/her/cyaa005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 99-109

Author(s):

Hugh Hunkin ◽

Julia�N Morris

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Critical Time ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

New Members ◽

Protection Strategies ◽

Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure ◽

Sun Protection Practices ◽

The Impact

Abstract Limiting ultraviolet radiation exposure during early childhood can significantly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, making early childhood a critical time for sun protection strategies. This study aimed to measure sun protection practices utilized in Australian early-childhood services over the past decade and evaluate the impact of Cancer Council Australia’s SunSmart Early-Childhood Program. Results are presented from cross-sectional and repeated-measures survey data, completed by directors or other staff at randomly sampled early-childhood services in 2008, 2013 and 2018 (N�=�3243). Most sun protection practices were used by a significantly greater proportion of services in 2018 relative to earlier years, such as requiring the use of sunscreen (98.4%), and sun-protective hats (99.7%) and clothing (88.8%). However, only a small and declining proportion of services (16.3%–22.4%) required the use of specific items of sun-protective clothing. SunSmart program members reported enacting significantly more sun protection practices compared to non-members, while new members showed an increase in the use of those practices relative to services whose status did not change (d�=�0.48). The results demonstrate improvements in sun protection in Australian early-childhood settings, and highlight the benefits and limitations of the SunSmart program.

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The impact of C-reactive protein levels on headache frequency in the HUNT study 2006–2008

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/s12883-019-1462-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Knut Hagen ◽

Lars Jacob Stovner ◽

Kristian Bernhard Nilsen ◽

Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen ◽

Bendik Slagsvold Winsvold

Keyword(s):

Migraine With Aura ◽

Large Scale ◽

Population Based ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Scale Population ◽

Hs Crp ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Increased high sensitivity C- reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels have been found in many earlier studies on migraine, and recently also in persons with migraine and insomnia. The aim of this study was to see whether these findings could be reproduced in a large-scale population-based study. Methods A total of 50,807 (54%) out of 94,194 invited aged ≥20 years or older participated in the third wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study study performed in 2006–2008. Among these, 38,807 (41%) had valid measures of hs-CRP and answered questions on headache and insomnia. Elevated hs-CRP was defined as > 3.0 mg/L. The cross-sectional association with headache was estimated by multivariate analyses using multiple logistic regression. The precision of the odds ratio (OR) was assessed with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results In the fully adjusted model, elevated hs-CRP was associated with migraine (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04–1.25) and migraine with aura (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03–1.29). The association was strongest among individuals with headache ≥15 days/month for any headache (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08–1.48), migraine (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.21–2.17), and migraine with aura (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.27–2.67). No clear relationship was found between elevated hs-CRP and headache less than 7 days/month or with insomnia. Conclusions Cross-sectional data from this large-scale population-based study showed that elevated hs-CRP was associated with headache ≥7 days/month, especially evident for migraine with aura.

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Neurocognitive dysfunctioning and the impact of comorbid depression and anxiety in patients with somatic symptom and related disorders: a cross-sectional clinical study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291717003300 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (11) ◽

pp. 1803-1813 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lars de Vroege ◽

Anique Timmermans ◽

Willem J. Kop ◽

Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

Keyword(s):

Visual Memory ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Health Care Centre ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neurocognitive Dysfunction ◽

The Impact

BackgroundThe prevalence and severity of neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRD) is unknown. Furthermore, the influence of comorbid depression and anxiety has not been evaluated. This study examines neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with SSRD and explores if comorbid depression and anxiety is associated with specific neurocognitive dysfunctioning.MethodsCross-sectional study with consecutive patients suffering from SSRD visiting an outpatient specialty mental health care Centre of Excellence for SSRD. Extensive neuropsychological assessment and assessment of depression and anxiety symptom levels using the Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 were performed at intake. Multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 201 SSRD patients, with a mean age of 43 years (Standard deviation = 13) years; 37.8% were male. Neurocognitive dysfunction in the domains information processing speed, sustained and divided attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory were reported, compared with normative data. Comorbid depression and anxiety occurred frequently within the sample (75.1% and 65.7%, respectively). Neurocognitive dysfunctioning was worse in patients suffering from comorbid depression [multivariateF(7,161) = 2.839,p= 0.008] but not in patients with comorbid anxiety.ConclusionsPoor neurocognitive performance of patients with SSRD is common and worsens in case of comorbid depression. This may explain treatment dropout of patients with SSRD from neurocognitive behavioral therapy. Research on novel interventions is needed targeting neurocognitive functioning of patients with SSRD, particularly those with comorbid depression.

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