scholarly journals Evidence for Cognitive Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Healthy Individuals

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsolt Turi ◽  
Espen Bjørkedal ◽  
Luisa Gunkel ◽  
Andrea Antal ◽  
Walter Paulus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Nocebo Effects ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Model Based Analysis

Inactive interventions can have significant effects on cognitive performance. Understanding the generation of these cognitive placebo/nocebo effects is crucial for evaluating the cognitive impacts of interventional methods, such as non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). We report both cognitive placebo and nocebo effects on reward-based learning performance induced using an active sham NIBS protocol, verbal suggestions and conditioning in 80 healthy participants. Whereas our placebo manipulation increased both expected and perceived cognitive performance, nocebo had a detrimental effect on both. Model- based analysis suggests manipulation-specific strategic adjustments in learning-rates: Participants in the placebo group showed stronger learning from losses and reduced behavioral noise, whereas in the nocebo group stronger learning from gains and increased behavioral noise. We conclude that experimentally induced expectancy can impact cognitive functions of healthy adult participants. This has important implications for the use of double-blind study designs that can effectively maintain blinding in NIBS studies.

Effect of pomegranate fruit supplementation on performance and various markers in athletes and active subjects: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Alicja Urbaniak ◽  
Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Pomegranate Fruit

Abstract. The aim of the study was to review recent findings on the use of POM supplements in athletes of various disciplines and physically active participants. Eleven articles published between 2010 and 2018 were included, where the total number of investigated subjects was 176. Male participants constituted the majority of the group (n = 155), as compared to females (n = 21). 45% of research described was conducted on athletes, whereas the remaining studies were based on highly active participants. Randomised, crossover, double-blind study designs constituted the majority of the experimental designs used. POM supplementation varied in terms of form (pills/juice), dosage (50 ml–500 ml) and time of intervention (7 days–2 months) between studies. Among the reviewed articles, POM supplementation had an effect on the improvement of the following: whole body strength; feeling of vitality; acute and delayed muscle fatigue and soreness; increase in vessel diameter; blood flow and serum level of TAC; reduction in the rate of increase for HR, SBP, CK and LDH; support in the recovery of post-training CK, LDH, CRP and ASAT to their baseline levels; reduction of MMP2, MMP9, hsCRP and MDA; and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). In the majority of reviewed articles POM supplementation had a positive effect on a variety of parameters studied and the authors recommended it as a supplement for athletes and physically active bodies.

scholarly journals Acute Intake of a Grape and Blueberry Polyphenol-Rich Extract Ameliorates Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults During a Sustained Cognitive Effort

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Philip ◽  
Patricia Sagaspe ◽  
Jacques Taillard ◽  
Claire Mandon ◽  
Joël Constans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Memory And Attention

Despite an increasing level of evidence supporting the individual beneficial effect of polyphenols on cognitive performance, information related to the potential synergistic action of these phytonutrients on cognitive performance during a prolonged cognitive effort is currently lacking. This study investigated the acute and sustained action of a polyphenols-rich extract from grape and blueberry (PEGB), on working memory and attention in healthy students during a prolonged and intensive cognitive effort. In this randomised, cross-over, double blind study, 30 healthy students consumed 600 mg of PEGB or a placebo. Ninety minutes after product intake, cognitive functions were assessed for one hour using a cognitive demand battery including serial subtraction tasks, a rapid visual information processing (RVIP) task and a visual analogical scale. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma flavan-3-ols metabolites quantification were also performed. A 2.5-fold increase in serial three subtraction variation net scores was observed following PEGB consumption versus placebo (p < 0.001). A trend towards significance was also observed with RVIP percentage of correct answers (p = 0.058). No treatment effect was observed on FMD. Our findings suggest that consumption of PEGB coupled with a healthy lifestyle may be a safe alternative to acutely improve working memory and attention during a sustained cognitive effort.

Internet Application to Tele-Audiology—“Nothin’ but Net”

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregg D. Givens ◽  
Saravanan Elangovan
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Auditory Thresholds ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
East Carolina University ◽  
Air Conduction

The Telehealth program at East Carolina University has developed a system for real-time assessment of auditory thresholds using computer driven control of a remote audiometer via the Internet. The present study used 45 adult participants in a double-blind study of 2 different systems: a conventional audiometer and an audiometer operated remotely via the Internet. The audiometric thresholds assessed by these 2 systems varied by no more than 1.3 dB for air conduction and 1.2 dB for bone conduction. The results demonstrated the feasibility of this new "telehearing" audiometric system. With the rapid development of Internet-based applications, telehealth has the potential to provide important healthcare coverage for rural areas where specialized audiological services are lacking.

scholarly journals Association between subjective tinnitus and cognitive performance: protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e023700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A Clarke ◽  
Michael A Akeroyd ◽  
Helen Henshaw ◽  
Derek J Hoare
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Subjective Tinnitus ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Study Designs

IntroductionSubjective tinnitus is very common and has a number of comorbid associations including depression, sleep disturbance and concentration difficulties. Concentration difficulties may be observable in people with tinnitus through poorer behavioural performance in tasks thought to measure specific cognitive domains such as attention and memory (ie, cognitive performance). Several reviews have discussed the association between tinnitus and cognition; however, none to date have investigated the association between tinnitus and cognitive performance through meta-analysis with reference to an established theoretical taxonomy. Furthermore, there has been little overlap between sets of studies that have been included in previous reviews, potentially contributing to the typically mixed findings that are reported.Methods and analysisThis systematic review aims to comprehensively review the literature using an established theoretical taxonomy and quantitatively synthesise relevant data to determine associations between subjective tinnitus and cognitive performance. Methods are reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. All study designs will be eligible for inclusion with no date restrictions on searches. Studies eligible for inclusion must contain adult participants (≥18 years) with subjective tinnitus and a behavioural measure of cognitive performance. Meta-analysis will be reported via correlation for the association between tinnitus and cognitive performance.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical issues are foreseen. Findings will be reported in a student thesis, at national and international , ear, nose and throat/audiology conferences and by peer-reviewed publication.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018085528.

scholarly journals Assessment of cardiovascular parameters during dental procedures under the effect of benzodiazepines: a double blind study

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Neves Faraco ◽  
Paschoal Laércio Armonia ◽  
José Leonardo Simone ◽  
Nicolau Tortamano
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cardiovascular Parameters ◽  
Restorative Treatment ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Clinical Procedures ◽  
Maxillary Molars ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Blood Pressures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular parameters during dental procedures: systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures, and heart rate. Nineteen healthy normotensive patients (18-56 years of age) received restorative treatment on three maxillary molars. The patients were continuously monitored by a non-invasive automatic monitor for blood pressure and heart rate during the pre-, trans-, and post-operative periods at the following stages: 15 min prior to anesthesia; during topical anesthesia; during infiltrative anesthesia; for 5 minutes immediately after; during cavity preparation; during restorative procedure; for 10 min after completion. Patients were divided into three groups: A (without pre-medication), B (preceded by 10 mg diazepam), and C (preceded by placebo). All patients received infiltrative anesthesia containing 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine (36 mg) with epinephrine 1:100,000 (18 µg). There were no changes in the parameters during the clinical procedures. When groups were compared, there were significant differences in diastolic arterial pressures during anesthesia.

scholarly journals T53. NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF THE STIMULATION OF NICOTINIC RECEPTORS AND NON-INVASIVE BRAIN STIMULATION IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA: STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY OF A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S251-S251
Author(s):  
Duygu Güler ◽  
Benjamin Pross ◽  
Michael Nitsche ◽  
Frank Padberg ◽  
Peter Falkai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Nicotinic Receptors ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Behavioral Effects ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Non Invasive

Abstract Background Tobacco dependence is the most common substance use disorder in schizophrenia patients. Research suggests that prevalence rates for patients with schizophrenia are 40 to 80 percent. It is believed that these patients smoke to improve cognitive deficits. This assumption is supported by several neurophysiological and behavioral studies. The aim of the current study is to assess the physiological fundamentals and the behavioral effects of smoking in patients with schizophrenia. Methods The present randomized double-blind and controlled study is ongoing and focusses on enhancing cognitive functioning in schizophrenia patients. Nicotinic receptors of participating patients are stimulated by the substance varenicline. The resulting changes are assessed by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and cognitive performance tests. Additionally, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) is applied for inducing plasticity to examine the interaction between tobacco consumption and brain stimulation. The treatment consists of twice daily 1 mg of varenicline (or placebo) and 20-minute a-tDCS (or sham tDCS) over a period of five days. Sixty patients with schizophrenia will be recruited for this pilot study. Results This is a double-blind study. Therefore no results can be shown so far. To this date 18 patients have been recruited (female = 6). There haven’t been major side effects and patients are tolerating the interventions well. Discussion During the conference we will present the concept and design of the combined “varenicline x tDCS” trial for the treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Inhaled high molecular weight hyaluronan ameliorates respiratory failure in acute COPD exacerbation: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavia Galdi ◽  
Claudio Pedone ◽  
Christopher A. McGee ◽  
Margaret George ◽  
Annette B. Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Positive Pressure ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Non Invasive

Abstract Background Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) carry significant morbidity and mortality. AECOPD treatment remains limited. High molecular weight hyaluronan (HMW-HA) is a glycosaminoglycan sugar, which is a physiological constituent of the lung extracellular matrix and has notable anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties. Research question We hypothesized that inhaled HMW-HA will improve outcomes in AECOPD. Methods We conducted a single center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the effect of inhaled HMW-HA in patients with severe AECOPD necessitating non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Primary endpoint was time until liberation from NIPPV. Results Out of 44 screened patients, 41 were included in the study (21 for placebo and 20 for HMW-HA). Patients treated with HMW-HA had significantly shorter duration of NIPPV. HMW-HA treated patients also had lower measured peak airway pressures on the ventilator and lower systemic inflammation markers after liberation from NIPPV. In vitro testing showed that HMW-HA significantly improved mucociliary transport in air–liquid interface cultures of primary bronchial cells from COPD patients and healthy primary cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract. Interpretation Inhaled HMW-HA shortens the duration of respiratory failure and need for non-invasive ventilation in patients with AECOPD. Beneficial effects of HMW-HA on mucociliary clearance and inflammation may account for some of the effects (NCT02674880, www.clinicaltrials.gov).

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