scholarly journals The effects of screen light filtering software on cognitive performance and sleep among night workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Kazemi ◽  
Negar Alighanbari ◽  
Zahra Zamanian
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Control Center ◽  
Impaired Performance ◽  
Color Screen

Background: Pervious studies have reported impaired performance, sleepiness and sleep deprivation among night workers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of color Screen Light Filtering software on cognitive performance, alertness and sleep quality among night shift operators of a medical emergency operations center. Methods: This field trial interventional study was carried out among 30 nightshift operators of Shiraz emergency control center. The baseline assessments were carried out under the existing computer screen light conditions in the week preceding the installation of f.lux software. The same measurements were repeated again 4 weeks after installing the software. The cognitive performance of the participants was measured using continuous performance test (CPT) and n-back, while their sleep quality was assessed through Pietersburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Further, to assess their subjective and objective alertness, Stanford sleepiness index and go/no go test were used, respectively. Results: The results of this study showed that Screen Light Filtering software significantly increased subjective (P < 0.001) and objective alertness (P < 0.05). Additionally, the performance of the working memory (P = 0.008) and sleep quality (P = 0.008) improved significantly after the intervention. Conclusion: The results revealed that using Screen Light Filtering software is an effective and low-cost method to improve sleep quality and cognitive performance since it filters the short wavelength part of the spectrum and helps body adaptation.

Methylphenidate Reduces State Anxiety During a Continuous Performance Test That Distinguishes Adult ADHD Patients From Controls

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuval Bloch ◽  
Shai Aviram ◽  
Aviv Segev ◽  
Uri Nitzan ◽  
Yechiel Levkovitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Effective Therapy ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Functional Difficulties

Objective: We hypothesized that patients with ADHD were typified by distress more than by functional difficulties. Thus, a decline in state anxiety while performing a cognitive task when taking methylphenidate would discriminate between ADHD patients and controls. Method: State anxiety and cognitive performance on a continuous performance test were assessed in ADHD patients and controls with and without taking methylphenidate. Results: State anxiety and cognitive performance improved from baseline in 36 ADHD adults after taking methylphenidate. In 25 controls, cognitive performance improved, but state anxiety did not abate after a recess. In two additional studies, 5 controls were evaluated at baseline and after receiving methylphenidate, and showed improvement in cognitive assessment but not in state anxiety. Five ADHD adults were assessed at baseline and after a recess, and showed no improvement. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that adult ADHD patients are characterized by distress and the relief of this distress under effective therapy as expressed by a decline in state anxiety while they perform a cognitive task.

Executive Functioning, Response Inhibition and Attentional Process Impairments in Impulsive Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S125-S125
Author(s):  
F. Mozaffarinejad ◽  
N. Nazarboland
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Teacher Rating ◽  
Novelty Seeking ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Impaired Performance ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
General Performance

Impulsivity is a multidimensional concept that incorporates failure of response inhibition, rapid processing of information, novelty seeking, and inability to delay gratification. Aggressive, suicidal and violent behaviors have been shown to be associated with impulsivity and difficulty in inhibiting responses. As explorers of executive function (EF) and impulsivity research areas believe this two are generally considered conceptually distinct, and suggest that they may be antipodes (i.e., widely separated on a common continuum, upon which they are related), We selected subjects with high (n = 25) and low (n = 25) levels of impulsivity among 537 students of ages 8 to 10 years-old, who were measured by Conners Teacher Rating impulsivity Scale. Using computerized versions, response inhibition was examined by their performance in a Go/No Go task, general performance in executive functions (EF) was measured by tower of London Test and continuous performance test (CPT) was used to assess their attentional processes. Using independent t- test and ANOVA, the results revealed that overall performance of executive functions in impulsive children in all three areas were remarkably damaged: they had impaired performance regarding Go/No Go task results; also have consumed more time and committed more errors and a worse general performance; and had more errors and weaker performance in attentional processes. The results of this study along with similar results would be effective in achieving a brighter image of impulsive children's cognitive problems in order to provide efficient treatments focused on improving their executive functions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Can Helmet Weight Affect Cognitive Performance and Mental Workload? An Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Choobineh ◽  
◽  
Matin Rostami ◽  
Mozhgan Zoaktafi ◽  
Reza Kazemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Work Load ◽  
Mental Work ◽  
Mental Work Load ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

This study sought to examine the effect of helmet weight on cognitive performance and mental workload. Twenty participants were studied in three one-hour sessions. The participants were asked to read and work with computer under three conditions: while wearing no helmets, while wearing a helmet that weighed 800 g (A), and while wearing a helmet weighing 1500 g (B). “N-back” task and Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were employed to assess cognitive performance, while NASA-TLX and Thermal Comfort and Fatigue Perception Scale were used to evaluate mental work load and comfort. At the end of the intervention sessions, perceived mental workload as well as thermal comfort and fatigue in the head were measured. Moreover, the participants’ cognitive performance was gauged before and after the sessions. The findings revealed that helmet weight had a significant impact on cognitive performance (p<0.001). Nonetheless, no significant difference was detected in the participants’ mental workload before and after the intervention. It was thus argued that helmet weight could affect cognitive performance.Therefore, in designing helmets, the weight of the helmet should be considered as an important factor.

scholarly journals Acute Effects of Mental Recovery Strategies After a Mentally Fatiguing Task

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Loch ◽  
Annika Hof zum Berge ◽  
Alexander Ferrauti ◽  
Tim Meyer ◽  
Mark Pfeiffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Test System ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Mental Fatigue ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Rest Break ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
Stress States

Both daily demands as well as training and competition characteristics in sports can result in a psychobiological state of mental fatigue leading to feelings of tiredness, lack of energy, an increased perception of effort, and performance decrements. Moreover, optimal performance will only be achievable if the balance between recovery and stress states is re-established. Consequently, recovery strategies are needed aiming at mental aspects of recovery. The aim of the study was to examine acute effects of potential mental recovery strategies (MR) on subjective-psychological and on cognitive performance outcomes after a mentally fatiguing task. A laboratory-based randomized cross-over study with twenty-four students (22.8 ± 3.6 years) was applied. Participants were run through a powernap intervention (PN), a systematic breathing intervention (SB), a systematic breathing plus mental imagery intervention (SB+), and a control condition (CC) with one trial a week over four consecutive weeks. Mental fatigue was induced by completion of the 60-min version of the AX-continuous performance test (AX-CPT). The Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were assessed to measure effects on perceptual outcomes. Cognitive performance was measured with a reaction time test of the Vienna Test System (VTS). During all three recovery interventions and CC portable polysomnography was applied. Results showed a significant increase from pre-AX-CPT to pre-MR on fatigue states and recovery-stress states indicating that the induction of mental fatigue was effective. Moreover, results underlined that analysis yielded no significant differences between recovery interventions and the control condition but they revealed significant time effects for VAS, SRSS items, and cognitive performance. However, it could be derived that the application of a rest break with 20 min of mental recovery strategies appears to enhance recovery on a mainly mental and emotional level and to reduce perceived mental fatigue.

The effect of the AKT1 gene and cannabis use on cognitive performance in healthy subjects

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 990-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Fatjó-Vilas ◽  
J Soler ◽  
M I Ibáñez ◽  
J Moya-Higueras ◽  
G Ortet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Card Sorting

Background: Evidence suggests that the AKT1 gene may modulate the degree to which cannabis use induces cognitive alterations in patients with a psychotic disorder. Aim: To examine the interplay between AKT1 and cannabis use in terms of the cognitive performance of the general population. Methods: Our sample consisted of 389 Spanish university students. Sustained attention was measured via the Continuous Performance Test–Identical Pairs, immediate and delayed verbal memory with the Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale, and working memory with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Lifetime cannabis use frequency was assessed and individuals were classified as cannabis users or non-users. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the AKT1 gene were genotyped and, according to previous studies, each subject was defined as a carrier of two, one or no copies of the haplotype (rs2494732(C)–rs1130233(A)). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to test the effect of the genetic variability and cannabis use (and their interaction) on cognitive performance. Results: An effect of the AKT1 haplotype was found on attention scores: individuals with two copies of the haplotype performed better (β=0.18, p<0.001 (adjusted for false discovery rate)), while neither cannabis nor the AKT1–cannabis interaction was associated with attention. No effect of AKT1, cannabis or the AKT1–cannabis interaction was found on verbal memory or working memory. Conclusions: Our study provides additional evidence that AKT1 modulates cognitive performance. However, in our non-clinical sample, the previously reported interaction between cannabis use and the AKT1 gene was not replicated.

Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) bei Kindern mit hyperkinetischem Syndrom - eine experimentelle Untersuchung mittels des Continuous Performance Test (CPT)

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Hennighausen ◽  
G. Schulte-Körne ◽  
A. Warnke ◽  
H. Remschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Contingent Negative Variation ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Experimentelle Untersuchung

Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Gibt es neurophysiologische Korrelate der Aufmerksamkeitsstörung beim hyperkinetischen Syndrom (HKS) und welche Bedeutung haben diese für die Ätiologie der Störung. Methodik: Selektive Aufmerksamkeitsprozesse wurden anhand des zweistufigen Continuous Performance Test (CPT) bei 18 Jungen mit hyperkinetischem Syndrom (HKS) untersucht und mit einer nach dem Alter parallelisierten Kontrollgruppe von 21 Jungen verglichen. Die Altersspanne der Stichprobe betrug 6 bis 12 Jahre. Parallel dazu wurden ereigniskorrelierte Potentiale (EKP) während des Tests an den Elektrodenpositionen Fz, Cz, Pz und Oz mit Referenz zu verbundenen Ohren abgeleitet. Ergebnisse: Im EKP nach dem präparatorischen Stimulus konnten zwei Komponenten der Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) mit unterschiedlicher topographischer Verteilung identifiziert werden (CNV-1: 600 bis 1100 ms und CNV-2: 1000 bis 1500 ms nach Stimulus). Die Stichproben unterschieden sich nicht auf der Verhaltensebene (Fehlerrate und Reaktionszeit). Signifikante Gruppenunterschiede ergaben sich hinsichtlich der Topographie der beiden CNV-Komponenten. Kinder mit HKS zeigten im Vergleich zu Kontrollkindern eine signifikant niedrigere CNV-1 über der frontalen und eine Tendenz zu stärkerer Negativierung (CNV-1 und CNV-2) über der occipitalen Elektrode. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse unterstützen die Hypothese einer Unterfunktion frontaler inhibitorischer Prozesse bei Kindern mit HKS.

Self-Report vs. Computerized Measures of Impulsivity as a Correlate of Suicidal Behavior

Crisis ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Netta Horesh
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Attention Deficit Disorder ◽  
Impulse Control ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Adolescent Suicide ◽  
Continuous Performance Test ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
Computerized Measures ◽  
Adolescent Suicide Attempters

Objectives: To compare the use of a self-report form of impulsivity versus a computerized test of impulsivity in the assessment of suicidal adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Methods: Sixty consecutive admissions to an adolescent in patient unit were examined. The severity of suicidal behavior was measured with the Childhood Suicide Potential Scale (CSPS), and impulse control was measured with the self report Plutchik Impulse Control Scale (ICS) and with the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), a continuous performance test (CPT). The TOVA is used to diagnose adolescents with attention deficit disorder. Results: There was a significant but low correlation between the two measures of impulsivity. Only the TOVA commission and omission errors differentiated between adolescent suicide attempters and nonattempters. Conclusions: Computerized measures of impulsivity may be a useful way to measure impulsivity in adolescent suicide attempters. Impulsivity appears to play a small role only in nondepressed suicidal adolescents, especially boys.

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