Acute administration of nicotine does not enhance cognitive functions

AbstractChronic smokers often claim that smoking improves their cognitive abilities, such as concentration. However, scientific evidence to support this claim is scarce. Previous studies gave inconclusive results, and some of them had significant methodological flaws. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test whether smoking a single cigarette affects performance across several cognitive domains. It included a group of 22 occasional smokers aged 19–29 years. Attention, working memory, and visuospatial reasoning were assessed using a within-subjects design with a control setting. There were two separate testing sessions two days apart. Half the group started with experimental and the other half with control setting. In the experimental setting, the participants completed the first block of tasks, smoked one cigarette (with a nicotine yield of 0.5 mg), and then completed the second block of tasks. In the control setting, the procedure was the same, except that the participants had a glass of water instead of a cigarette. Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant effects of cigarette smoking on either reaction time rates or accuracy on any of the three cognitive domains. These results suggest that, at least among young, occasional smokers, smoking does not affect cognition and the claims of its improvement are probably a result of some sort of cognitive bias.

Download Full-text

Effect of interactive vs. passive virtual reality on pain threshold and tolerance

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2021-0046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Juliann Saquib ◽

Haneen A. AlMohaimeed ◽

Sally A. AlOlayan ◽

Nora A. AlRebdi ◽

Jana I. AlBulaihi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Random Order ◽

Pain Tolerance ◽

Dominant Hand ◽

Interactive Games ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Order Sequence

Abstract Objectives Scientific evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR) could potentially help patients tolerate painful medical procedures and conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality on pain tolerance and threshold. Methods A within-subjects experimental study design was conducted on 53 female students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. Each participant completed three rounds of assessment: one baseline (no VR) and two VR immersion (passive and interactive) in random order sequence. During each round, participants submerged their non-dominant hand into an ice bath; pain threshold and tolerance were measured as outcomes and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results Participants had both higher pain threshold and tolerance during interactive and passive VR rounds in comparison to the non-VR baseline assessment (p<0.05). Participants had greater pain tolerance during the interactive VR condition compared to the passive VR condition (p<0.001). Conclusions VR experiences increase pain threshold and tolerance with minimal side effects, and the larger effects were demonstrated using interactive games. Interactive VR gaming should be considered and tested as a treatment for pain.

Download Full-text

Resident Practice Audit in Gastroenterology (RPAGE): an innovative approach to trainee evaluation and professional development in medicine

Canadian Medical Education Journal ◽

10.36834/cmej.43268 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. e72-77

Author(s):

Sandra Monteiro ◽

Ted Xenodemetropoulos

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Technical Skills ◽

Assessment Data ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Global Ratings ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Workplace Based Assessment ◽

Junior Residents ◽

Practice Audit ◽

Overall Reliability

Background: The Resident Practice Audit in Gastroenterology (RPAGE) captures assessments of knowledge, professionalism, and technical skills, in real time. This brief report describes this innovative instrument and aspects of its utility. Methods: Assessment data on colonoscopy, endoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy procedures in 2016 were submitted to a repeated measures ANOVA with six within subjects’ assessments and one between subjects’ factor of year of specialization to evaluate construct validity. The validity hypothesis tested was that more experienced residents would be rated higher than less experienced residents. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The proportion of completed assessments was relatively low (9 to 22%). Overall reliability was high (α >0.8). There was evidence of validity as global ratings indicated higher competence for senior residents at colonoscopy (1.6) and upper endoscopy (1.4) than for more junior residents (1.9 and 2.1 respectively). These differences were significant for both colonoscopy, (F (1, 282) = 14.8, p <0.001) and endoscopy, F (1, 136) = 56.9, p <0.001. Conclusion: These findings suggest RPAGE is an acceptable electronic log of practice data, but may not be acceptable for workplace based assessment. A key next step will be to evaluate how information collected through RPAGE can help inform resident competency committees.

Download Full-text

Manipulated Outcome Expectations and Competitive Performance in Motor Tasks with Gradually Increasing Difficulty

The Sport Psychologist ◽

10.1123/tsp.9.2.188 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 188-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Noam Eyal ◽

Michael Bar-Eli ◽

Gershon Tenenbaum ◽

Joan S. Pie

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Task Complexity ◽

Outcome Expectations ◽

Superior Performance ◽

Adult Males ◽

Motor Tasks ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Initial Task ◽

Within Subjects ◽

And Performance

The aim of this study was to examine whether outcome expectations can be generalized from one defined task to other tasks. A deception paradigm was employed in which outcome expectations were manipulated. High, low, or medium expectations toward performing five tasks, which gradually increased in complexity and shared a common skill, were manipulated. Ninety adult males were randomly assigned to manipulation groups. A within-subjects repeated measures ANOVA indicated that those manipulated by medium expectations showed elevated perceptions of outcome expectations. Their performance, however, was superior only in the two tasks most similar in complexity to the initial task. On the less similar tasks, the differences among the groups were insignificant. A generalization effect can therefore be demonstrated on outcome expectations and performance to a certain degree of task complexity. Implications of the superior performance of participants manipulated to produce medium outcome expectations are discussed.

Download Full-text

Stretching Techniques to Improve Flexibility in Special Olympics Athletes and Their Coaches

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.11.1.22 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 22-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Christine Stopka ◽

Kevin Morley ◽

Ronald Siders ◽

Josh Schuette ◽

Ashley Houck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Special Olympics ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation ◽

Improved Performance ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Objective Context

Objective/Context:To examine the effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching in Special Olympics athletes and their coaches on sit-and-reach performance.Design/Participants:Repeated-measures ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc analyses on 2 groups: Special Olympics athletes (n = 18, mean age = 15.7) and their coaches without mental retardation (n = 44, mean age = 22.2).Intervention/Outcome Measures:Stretching performance was measured in centimeters using a sit-and-reach flexibility box, examining 2 series of 3 stretches. For both groups, the first set of 3 stretches was performed in the following order: baseline, static, PNF. Three to 4 weeks later, the order of the stretches was reversed: baseline, PNF, static.Results:PNF stretching improved performance regardless of stretching order after baseline and static measures. Static stretching improved performance only from baseline.Conclusions:Individuals of various ages and cognitive abilities can apparently perform and benefit from PNF stretching.

Download Full-text

Design and Analysis of Experimental Research II

10.1093/oso/9780199391905.003.0009 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Miksza ◽

Kenneth Elpus

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Experimental Designs ◽

Factorial Designs ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Data Analyses ◽

Research Designs ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Design Type ◽

Mixed Designs

This chapter introduces the reader to more possibilities for thinking about causal questions and for laying the foundational concepts necessary for conducting data analyses that correspond to more complex experimental designs. The discussion of experimental design types presented in chapter 8 is expanded to include within-subjects designs, factorial designs, mixed designs, and designs for multivariate outcomes. Prototypical examples of each design type are presented along with the typical analysis tools used for testing the associated experimental hypotheses. Hypothetical examples of research designs that are suitable for illustrating analyses with repeated-measures ANOVA, factorial or multiway ANOVA, and MANOVA (multivariate analysis of variance).

Download Full-text

One Size Fits All?

Methodology ◽

10.1027/1614-2241/a000044 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 23-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Manuel C. Voelkle ◽

Patrick E. McKnight

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Type I Error ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Type I ◽

Finite Sample ◽

Traditional Methods ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Special Cases ◽

Latent Curve

The use of latent curve models (LCMs) has increased almost exponentially during the last decade. Oftentimes, researchers regard LCM as a “new” method to analyze change with little attention paid to the fact that the technique was originally introduced as an “alternative to standard repeated measures ANOVA and first-order auto-regressive methods” (Meredith & Tisak, 1990, p. 107). In the first part of the paper, this close relationship is reviewed, and it is demonstrated how “traditional” methods, such as the repeated measures ANOVA, and MANOVA, can be formulated as LCMs. Given that latent curve modeling is essentially a large-sample technique, compared to “traditional” finite-sample approaches, the second part of the paper addresses the question to what degree the more flexible LCMs can actually replace some of the older tests by means of a Monte-Carlo simulation. In addition, a structural equation modeling alternative to Mauchly’s (1940) test of sphericity is explored. Although “traditional” methods may be expressed as special cases of more general LCMs, we found the equivalence holds only asymptotically. For practical purposes, however, no approach always outperformed the other alternatives in terms of power and type I error, so the best method to be used depends on the situation. We provide detailed recommendations of when to use which method.

Download Full-text

Time of imagery’s effect on performance and self-efficacy in college baseball players

Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity ◽

10.1515/jirspa-2020-0019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Colton Haight ◽

Sandra Moritz ◽

Tanis Walch

Keyword(s):

Self Efficacy ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Group Interaction ◽

Physical Effect ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Significant Time ◽

Imagery Group ◽

College Baseball ◽

Group 2

AbstractThe relationships among the time of imagery use on performance and self-efficacy in college baseball players during a hitting task was examined. Participants (n=24) were randomly assigned to one of three imagery conditions: (a) before practice, (b) during practice, (c) after practice. A one-shot MG-M imagery intervention was used. Results from a 3 (imagery group) ×2 (pretest and posttest) repeated measures ANOVA showed only a significant time by imagery group interaction for self-efficacy (F (2, 21)=4.67, p<0.05). These findings suggest that imagery had a stronger psychological effect than physical effect.

Download Full-text

Differences in Graphomotor Skills by the Writing Medium and Children’s Gender

Education Sciences ◽

10.3390/educsci11040162 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 162

Author(s):

Boram No ◽

Naya Choi

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Surface Textures ◽

Young Learners ◽

And Gender ◽

Print Size ◽

Writing Practice ◽

Pressure Analysis

Factors of graphomotor skills may serve as indicators to determine a writer’s handwriting proficiency or acclimation to different writing surface textures. This study examines differences in children’s graphomotor skills based on types of writing medium and gender. Participants were 97 six-year-old Korean preschool children who had not received formal writing training prior to the study. Writing tasks were completed on a tablet screen and paper. Writing samples were analyzed using the Eye and Pen software to investigate spatial, temporal, and pressure exertion exhibited during the writing tasks. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed differences in graphomotor skills such as print size, writing speed, and writing pressure. Writing on a tablet screen decreased clarity of writing; print size and speed increased as the stylus slides across the tablet surface with relatively less friction, thereby decreasing the exertion of writing pressure. Analysis of writing differences according to gender indicated that boys generated larger print sizes than girls. Results suggest that while simple writing tasks may be feasible on the tablet screen, providing children with a larger writing medium and encouraging larger print sizes for writing practice, especially for boys, may be beneficial in the development of graphomotor skills among young learners.

Download Full-text

Effects of Proximal Priority and Distal Priority Robotic Priming Techniques With Impairment-Oriented Training of Upper Limb Functions in Patients With Chronic Stroke: Study Protocol For A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-76627/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yi-chen Lee ◽

Yi-chun Li ◽

KEH-CHUNG LIN ◽

Chia-ling Chen ◽

Yi-hsuan Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upper Extremity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Body Part ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Comparative Efficacy ◽

Chi Square ◽

Robotic Therapy ◽

Single Blind

Abstract BackgroundThe sequence of establishing proximal stability or function before facilitation of the distal body part has long been recognized in stroke rehabilitation practice but lacks scientific evidence. This study plans to examine the effects of proximal priority robotic priming and impairment-oriented training (PRI) and distal priority robotic priming and impairment-oriented training (DRI). MethodsThis single-blind, randomized, comparative efficacy study will involve 40 participants with chronic stroke. Participants will be randomized into PRI or DRI groups and receive 18 intervention sessions (90 min/d, 3 d/wk for 6 weeks). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity subscale, Medical Research Council Scale, Revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment, and Wolf Motor Function Test will be administered at baseline, after treatment, and at the 3-month follow-up. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and the chi-square automatic interaction detector method will be used to examine the comparative efficacy and predictors of outcome, respectively, after PRI and DRI. DiscussionThrough manipulating the sequence of applying wrist and forearm robots in therapy, this study will attempt to examine empirically the priming effect of proximal or distal priority robotic therapy in upper extremity impairment-oriented training for people with stroke. The findings will provide directions for further studies and empirical implications for clinical practice in upper extremity rehabilitation after stroke.Trial RegistrationThis trial was registered on June 23, 2020, at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04446273).

Download Full-text

The Effects of Superficial Heating before 1-MHz Ultrasound on Tissue Temperature

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.12.2.95 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 95-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

William R. Holcomb ◽

Chris Blank

Keyword(s):

Athletic Training ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Outcome Measure ◽

Tissue Temperature ◽

Temperature Elevation ◽

Main Outcome Measure ◽

Cooling Period ◽

Dependent Variables ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Independent Variable

Context:Ultrasound significantly raises tissue temperature, but the time of temperature elevation is short.Objective:To assess the effectiveness of superficial preheating on temperature elevation and decline when using ultrasound.Design:Within-subjects design to test the independent variable, treatment condition; repeated-measures ANOVAs to analyze the dependent variables, temperature elevation and decline.Setting:Athletic training laboratory.Intervention:Temperature at a depth of 3.75 cm was measured during ultrasound after superficial heating and with ultrasound alone.Subjects:10 healthy men.Main Outcome Measure:Temperature was recorded every 30 s during 15 min of ultrasound and for 15 min afterward.Results:Temperature elevation with ultrasound was significantly greater with preheating (4.0 ± 0.21 °C) than with ultrasound alone (3.0 ± 0.22 °C). Temperature decline was not significantly different between preheating and ultrasound alone.Conclusions:Superficial preheating significantly increases temperature elevation but has no effect on temperature decline during a 15-min cooling period.

Download Full-text