scholarly journals 10-Week Hatha Yoga Increases Right Hippocampal Density Compared to Active and Passive Control Groups: A Controlled Structural cMRI Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malvina Garner ◽  
Wolfgang Reith ◽  
Christoph Krick
Keyword(s):  
Passive Control ◽  
Hatha Yoga ◽  
Control Groups

scholarly journals Psychophysiological, but Not Behavioral, Indicator of Working Memory Capacity Predicts Video Game Proficiency

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Jakubowska ◽  
Paweł Dobrowolski ◽  
Alicja Anna Binkowska ◽  
Ibrahim V. Arslan ◽  
Monika Myśliwiec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Working Memory ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Variable Environment

Visual working memory (VWM) is the ability to actively maintain visual information over short periods of time and is strongly related to global fluid intelligence and overall cognitive ability. In our study, we used two indices of visual working memory capacity: the behavioral estimate of capacity (K) and contralateral delay activity (CDA) in order to check whether training in a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) video game StarCraft II can influence the VWM capacity measured by the change detection task. We also asked a question whether individual differences in behavioral and psychophysiological indices of VWM can predict the effectiveness of video game training. Sixty-two participants (non-players) were recruited to the experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to either experimental (Variable environment), active control (Fixed environment), and passive control groups. Experimental and active control groups differed in the type of training received. Training consisted of 30 h of playing the StarCraft II game. Participants took part in two EEG sessions (pre- and post-training) during which they performed the VWM task. Our results showed that working memory capacity (K calculated according to Pashler’s formula) increases after training in both experimental groups, but not in a control group. We have also found a correlation between average visual working memory capacity (calculated as K) and mean CDA amplitude no matter which group we are looking at. And, last but not least, we have found that we can predict the amount of improvement in the RTS video game by looking at the psychophysiological indices (CDA amplitude) recorded at baseline (before training), but only in the experimental group. We think that the strength of the psychophysiological indicator of VWM capacity might be a marker of the future success in video game acquisition.

scholarly journals Developing flexibility in solving arithmetic word problems: comparing strategies through semantic analysis.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
scheibling ◽  
Emmanuel Sander ◽  
Elena Pasquinelli
Keyword(s):  
Active Control ◽  
Word Problems ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Transfer Problems ◽  
Experimental Group

This study develops and evaluates an intervention aimed at improving flexibility in arithmetic word problems. 9 classes (4th-5th Grades) were divided between experimental, active and passive control groups, and followed this protocol: pre-test, 5 learning sessions for experimental and active control groups, post-test. During learning sessions, both groups learned to solve arithmetic word problems with two strategies — expansion and factorization — by comparing them. But comparing strategies was based on a semantic analysis and choice in point of view for the experimental group whereas comparing strategies was based on identifying keywords and calculations. The experimental condition was expected to promote flexibility in strategy for new transfer problems. At posttest, the active control group and the experimental group got similar scores for learning problems, higher than the passive control group. But for transfer problems, the experimental group was more flexible than the two other groups. Educational entailments of our finding are discussed.

scholarly journals Low intensity technology-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Marie Hoppen ◽  
Nora Kuck ◽  
Paul-Christian Bürkner ◽  
Eyal Karin ◽  
Bethany M. Wootton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Treatment Option ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Abstract Background Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-established treatment for people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and technology-based CBT applications are an emerging treatment option for people with OCD. These applications involve treatment protocols with automated content delivery and relatively low clinical contact. Whilst such CBT applications are promising, however, further investigation is needed to establish the efficacy of this treatment approach for individuals with OCD. The aim of the present study was to review the efficacy of technology-delivered CBT with minimal clinician support for OCD using a meta-analytic approach. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were identified through PsycINFO, Medline and Scopus resulting in 18 eligible studies (n = 1707). Control conditions comprised both passive (namely no treatment, other treatments and waitlist controls) and active. Measurement of OCD symptoms improvement was the outcome in each study. Results Participants in the technology-delivered CBT group scored lower on Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) (g = − 0.59, 95% CI = [− 0.99, − 0.18], p = 0.01), Y-BOCS and Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) combined (g = − 0.55, 95% CI = [− 0.87, − 0.24], p = 0.003) and Obsessive-Compulsive-Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) (g = − 0.36, 95% CI = [− 0.62, − 0.09], p = 0.02) at post-treatment than passive control groups. There were no significant findings when compared to controls with other treatments. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that technology-delivered CBT with low personal contact intensity, relative to passive control groups, is an efficacious and promising treatment option for individuals with OCD. Further research is needed to allow for a comparison with control groups with other treatments.

scholarly journals Autogenic Training for Reducing Chronic Pain: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Kohlert ◽  
Katharina Wick ◽  
Jenny Rosendahl
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Autogenic Training ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Autogenic training (AT) is frequently used as therapeutic approach in multimodal pain therapy. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the efficacy of AT in individuals suffering from chronic pain in comparison to passive and active control groups. Methods A comprehensive literature search in Medline, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and PubPsych and manual searches (last search April 7, 2021) were conducted to locate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatment guidelines and references of relevant articles and previous reviews were checked. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Full Text database, DART-Europe E-theses Portal, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), and the Theses Database of the German National Library were screened to identify any unpublished material. Results A total of 13 eligible studies (k = 15 comparisons) including 576 participants were identified. Random-effects meta-analyses revealed a significantly positive, moderate effect of AT on the primary outcome pain compared to passive control groups (g = 0.58, 95% CI [0.36; 0.79], k = 9, I2 = 0%). In comparison with other psychological interventions, no difference was found (g = − 0.05, 95% CI [− 0.30; 0.20], k = 6, I2 = 0%). Sensitivity analyses proved the robustness of findings. Overall risk-of-bias judgment was ‘some concerns’ in the majority of studies. Conclusions Beneficial effects of AT on pain reduction were demonstrated, but findings are prone to bias. Furthermore, high methodological quality RCTs are needed to strengthen the promising evidence of AT for individuals with chronic pain.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Difference Between Active and Passive Control Groups in Cognitive Interventions Using Two Meta-analytical Approaches

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacky Au ◽  
Benjamin C. Gibson ◽  
Kimberly Bunarjo ◽  
Martin Buschkuehl ◽  
Susanne M. Jaeggi
Keyword(s):  
Passive Control ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Cognitive Interventions ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Analytical Approaches

The Effects of Theta EEG Neurofeedback on the Consolidation of Spatial Memory

2020 ◽  
pp. 155005942097310
Author(s):  
Limor Shtoots ◽  
Tom Dagan ◽  
Josh Levine ◽  
Aryeh Rothstein ◽  
Liran Shati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Theta Power ◽  
Scalp Eeg ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Eeg Neurofeedback ◽  
The Stability

How can the stability of a recently acquired memory be improved? Recent findings regarding the importance of theta frequency EEG activity in the hippocampus suggest that entraining neural activity in that frequency band might increase post-encoding waking replay, reinforcing learning-related plasticity. Our previous studies revealed that upregulating postlearning theta power using EEG neurofeedback (NFB) significantly benefitted procedural and episodic memory performance (both immediate and delayed), and may provide optimal conditions for stabilization of new memories. We have now explored whether memory benefits of theta NFB generalize to delayed spatial memory, an additional hippocampus-dependent process. Participants learned to associate object images with locations on a computer screen. NFB was used to enable participants to selectively increase scalp EEG theta power for 30 minutes. Visuo-spatial memory was tested one week later, with the theta NFB participants compared with 2 control groups (beta-augmentation NFB as an active control group, and an additional passive control group that did not engage in NFB). Theta upregulation was found to improve visuo-spatial memory, as reflected in reduced error distances in location marking and faster reaction time for correct answers by the theta group. This supports the contention that theta upregulation immediately after learning strengthens early consolidation of visuo-spatial memory. This intervention could potentially benefit various memory-challenged populations, as well as healthy individuals.

Hepatocyte Alterations in Guinea Pigs FED Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Dibenzodioxins (PCDD), AND DIBENZOFURANS (PCDF)

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
J. N. Turner ◽  
D. N. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Dose Group ◽  
Methyl Cellulose ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Target Organ ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Cooling Fluid

A fire involving an electric service transformer and its cooling fluid, a mixture of PCBs and chlorinated benzenes, contaminated an office building with a fine soot. Chemical analysis showed PCDDs and PCDFs including the highly toxic tetra isomers. Guinea pigs were chosen as an experimental animal to test the soot's toxicity because of their sensitivity to these compounds, and the liver was examined because it is a target organ. The soot was suspended in 0.75% methyl cellulose and administered in a single dose by gavage at levels of 1,10,100, and 500mgm soot/kgm body weight. Each dose group was composed of 6 males and 6 females. Control groups included 12 (6 male, 6 female) animals fed activated carbon in methyl cellulose, 6 males fed methyl cellulose, and 16 males and 10 females untreated. The guinea pigs were sacrificed at 42 days by suffocation in CO2. Liver samples were immediately immersed and minced in 2% gluteraldehyde in cacadylate buffer at pH 7.4 and 4°C. After overnight fixation, samples were postfixed in 1% OsO4 in cacodylate for 1 hr at room temperature, embedded in epon, sectioned and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Causes a Marked Increase in Liver α-Tocopherol and Liver α-Tocopherol Transfer Protein in C57BL/6 J Mice

2010 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Min Chao ◽  
Wan-Hsuan Chen ◽  
Chun-Huei Liao ◽  
Huey-Mei Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Enzymes ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Conjugated Linoleic Acid ◽  
Thiobarbituric Acid ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Transfer Protein ◽  
And Control

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for the positional and geometric isomers of a conjugated diene of linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6). The aims of the present study were to evaluate whether levels of hepatic α-tocopherol, α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), and antioxidant enzymes in mice were affected by a CLA-supplemented diet. C57BL/6 J mice were divided into the CLA and control groups, which were fed, respectively, a 5 % fat diet with or without 1 g/100 g of CLA (1:1 mixture of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) for four weeks. α-Tocopherol levels in plasma and liver were significantly higher in the CLA group than in the control group. Liver α-TTP levels were also significantly increased in the CLA group, the α-TTP/β-actin ratio being 2.5-fold higher than that in control mice (p<0.01). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly decreased in the CLA group (p<0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in levels of three antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). The accumulation of liver α-tocopherol seen with the CLA diet can be attributed to the antioxidant potential of CLA and the ability of α-TTP induction. The lack of changes in antioxidant enzyme protein levels and the reduced lipid peroxidation in the liver of CLA mice are due to α-tocopherol accumulation.

Relationship between total plasma homocysteine and the risk of aneurysms – a meta-analysis

VASA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hanji Zhang ◽  
Dexin Yin ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Yezhou Li ◽  
Dejiang Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Healthy Participants

Summary: Our meta-analysis focused on the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) level and the incidence of aneurysms and looked at the relationship between smoking, hypertension and aneurysms. A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase databases (up to March 31, 2020) resulted in the identification of 19 studies, including 2,629 aneurysm patients and 6,497 healthy participants. Combined analysis of the included studies showed that number of smoking, hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in aneurysm patients was higher than that in the control groups, and the total plasma Hcy level in aneurysm patients was also higher. These findings suggest that smoking, hypertension and HHcy may be risk factors for the development and progression of aneurysms. Although the heterogeneity of meta-analysis was significant, it was found that the heterogeneity might come from the difference between race and disease species through subgroup analysis. Large-scale randomized controlled studies of single species and single disease species are needed in the future to supplement the accuracy of the results.

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