A Simple and Effective Way to Study Executive Functions by Using 360° Videos

Executive dysfunctions constitute a significant public health problem due to their high impact on everyday life and personal independence. Therefore, the identification of early strategies to assess and rehabilitate these impairments appears to be a priority. The ecological limitations of traditional neuropsychological tests and the numerous difficulties in administering tests in real-life scenarios have led to the increasing use of virtual reality (VR) and 360° environment-based tools for assessing executive functions (EFs) in real life. This perspective aims at proposing the development and implementation of Executive-functions Innovative Tool 360° (EXIT 360°), an innovative, enjoyable, and ecologically valid tool for a multidimensional and multicomponent evaluation of executive dysfunctions. EXIT 360° allows a complete and integrated executive functioning assessment through an original task for EFs delivered via a mobile-powered VR headset combined with eye tracker (ET) and electroencephalograms (EEG). Our tool is born as a 360°-based instrument, easily accessible and clinically usable, that will radically transform clinicians’ and patient’s assessment experience. In EXIT 360°, patients are engaged in a “game for health,” where they must perform everyday subtasks in 360° daily life environments. In this way, the clinicians can obtain quickly more ecologically valid information about several aspects of EFs (e.g., planning, problem-solving). Moreover, the multimodal approach allows completing the assessment of EFs by integrating verbal responses, reaction times, and physiological data (eye movements and brain activation). Overall, EXIT 360° will allow obtaining simultaneously and in real time more information about executive dysfunction and its impact in real life, allowing clinicians to tailor the rehabilitation to the subject’s needs.

Download Full-text

EXIT 360°—EXecutive-Functions Innovative Tool 360°—A Simple and Effective Way to Study Executive Functions in Parkinson’s Disease by Using 360° Videos

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11156791 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 6791

Author(s):

Francesca Borgnis ◽

Francesca Baglio ◽

Elisa Pedroli ◽

Federica Rossetto ◽

Mario Meloni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Real Life ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Motor Symptom ◽

Physiological Data ◽

Head Mounted Display ◽

Innovative Tool

Executive dysfunction represents a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with a substantial negative impact on daily functioning and quality of life. Assessing executive functions (EFs) with ecological tools is therefore essential. The ecological limitations of traditional neuropsychological tests have led to increased use of virtual reality and 360° environment-based tools for the assessment of EFs in real life. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and usability of the EXecutive-Functions Innovative Tool 360° (EXIT 360°), a 360°-based tool for the evaluation of EFs in PD. Twenty-five individuals with PD and 25 healthy controls (HC) were assessed with a conventional neuropsychological battery and EXIT 360° delivered via a head-mounted display. EXIT 360° will show a domestic scenario and seven different subtasks of increasing complexity, and will collect verbal responses, reaction times, and physiological data. We expect that EXIT 360° will be judged usable, engaging, and challenging. Moreover, we expect to find a highly convergent (conventional test and EXIT 360°) and diagnostic validity (individuals with PD vs. HC). The validation of EXIT 360° will allow for the adoption of a fast, ecological, and useful instrument for PD screening, likely transforming the assessment for the clinic and the patient.

Download Full-text

Executive functions in children with heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951121001074 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

William M. Jackson ◽

Nicholas Davis ◽

Johanna Calderon ◽

Jennifer J. Lee ◽

Nicole Feirsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Planning Problem ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Context: People with CHD are at increased risk for executive functioning deficits. Meta-analyses of these measures in CHD patients compared to healthy controls have not been reported. Objective: To examine differences in executive functions in individuals with CHD compared to healthy controls. Data sources: We performed a systematic review of publications from 1 January, 1986 to 15 June, 2020 indexed in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Study selection: Inclusion criteria were (1) studies containing at least one executive function measure; (2) participants were over the age of three. Data extraction: Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. We used a shifting unit-of-analysis approach and pooled data using a random effects model. Results: The search yielded 61,217 results. Twenty-eight studies met criteria. A total of 7789 people with CHD were compared with 8187 healthy controls. We found the following standardised mean differences: −0.628 (−0.726, −0.531) for cognitive flexibility and set shifting, −0.469 (−0.606, −0.333) for inhibition, −0.369 (−0.466, −0.273) for working memory, −0.334 (−0.546, −0.121) for planning/problem solving, −0.361 (−0.576, −0.147) for summary measures, and −0.444 (−0.614, −0.274) for reporter-based measures (p < 0.001). Limitations: Our analysis consisted of cross-sectional and observational studies. We could not quantify the effect of collinearity. Conclusions: Individuals with CHD appear to have at least moderate deficits in executive functions. Given the growing population of people with CHD, more attention should be devoted to identifying executive dysfunction in this vulnerable group.

Download Full-text

Executive Dysfunctions Mediate Between Altered Sensory Processing and Daily Activity Performance in Older Adults

10.21203/rs.3.rs-56859/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Batya Engel Yeger ◽

Sara Rosenblum

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Daily Activity ◽

Real Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Sensory Profile ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Activity Performance ◽

Executive Dysfunctions

Abstract Background: Sensory processing is essential for the interaction with the environment and for adequate daily function. Sensory processing may be deteriorated in the elderly and restrict daily activity performance. Another factor impacted by aging which significantly affects daily activities is Executive functions (EF). Yet, most studies refer separately to the impacts of sensory processing or EF on daily activities and use clinical evaluations that do not necessarily reflect functional restrictions in real life. This study aims to describe the prevalence of altered sensory processing in the elderly as expressed in daily life scenarios and explore whether EF mediate between altered sensory processing and daily activity performance in older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 167 healthy and independently functioning people living in the community and aged 65 years and older. Participants who had sufficient cognitive status and no symptoms of depression completed a demographic and health-status questionnaire, the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Adult Version and the Daily Living Questionnaire. Results: Altered sensory processing, and mainly by the reduced ability to register and modulate sensory input from daily environment, are prevalent in older adults. Their impacts on daily activity performance are mediated by executive dysfunctions. Conclusions: Executive dysfunctions may worsen the negative effects of altered sensory processing on daily activity performance in older adults. The interaction between executive functions and sensory processing should receive growing attention in intervention and prevention programs for older adults, with the emphasis on their expressions in peoples’ real life context.

Download Full-text

Executive dysfunctions mediate between altered sensory processing and daily activity performance in older adults

10.21203/rs.3.rs-56859/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Batya Engel Yeger ◽

Sara Rosenblum

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Daily Activity ◽

Real Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Sensory Profile ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Activity Performance ◽

Executive Dysfunctions

Abstract Background: Sensory processing is essential for the interaction with the environment and for adequate daily function. Sensory processing may be deteriorated in the elderly and restrict daily activity performance. Another factor impacted by aging which significantly affects daily activities is Executive functions (EF). Yet, most studies refer separately to the impacts of sensory processing or EF on daily activities and use clinical evaluations that do not necessarily reflect functional restrictions in real life. This study aims to describe the prevalence of altered sensory processing in the elderly as expressed in daily life scenarios and explore whether EF mediate between altered sensory processing and daily activity performance in older adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 167 healthy and independently functioning people living in the community and aged 65 years and older. Participants who had sufficient cognitive status and no symptoms of depression completed a demographic and health-status questionnaire, the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Adult Version and the Daily Living Questionnaire.Results: Altered sensory processing, and mainly by the reduced ability to register and modulate sensory input from daily environment, are prevalent in older adults. Their impacts on daily activity performance are mediated by executive dysfunctions.Conclusions: Executive dysfunctions may worsen the negative effects of altered sensory processing on daily activity performance in older adults. The interaction between executive functions and sensory processing should receive growing attention in intervention and prevention programs for older adults, with the emphasis on their expressions in peoples’ real life context.

Download Full-text

Breaking the limits of executive functions: Towards a sociocultural perspective

Culture & Psychology ◽

10.1177/1354067x19898673 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 358-368

Author(s):

U Arathi Sarma ◽

Tissy Mariam Thomas

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Real Life ◽

Planning Problem ◽

Training Methods ◽

Theoretical Perspectives ◽

Research Findings ◽

Problem Solvers ◽

Interpersonal Situations

Executive functions refer to the neurocognitive processes that enable conscious control of goal-directed behaviour. Executive functions lay the neural and cognitive foundation for civilisation and culture with its far reaching effects in day-to-day planning, problem-solving, creativity, self-regulation, empathy and cooperative social behaviour. Though a celebrated area of research for cognitive scientists, contemporary studies find that most of the interventions that target executive functions promote academic achievement in children, but fail to transfer to real-life interpersonal situations. This suggests the need for breaking its cognitive shell and conceiving executive function development in the larger sociocultural context. Thus, the present paper inquires into the cultural space that provides collaborative learning experiences for young children to become efficient problem-solvers and empathetic social beings. After reviewing certain theoretical perspectives and research findings, it is concluded that the early experiences of scaffolding by more competent individuals, specific to the social context and culture, are the crucial determinant of positive executive function development and its expression in everyday situations. The process of such sociocultural influences seems to be mediated by learning appropriate rules that guide executive functions. The paper puts forth the need for culture-specific value-based training for children that can potentially improve the internally motivated execution of control in practical situations. Revival of activities inherent in cultures is also found to be a promising option for devising effective training methods.

Download Full-text

Executive Functions in Delusion-prone Individuals – Preliminary Studies

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.084 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S266-S266

Author(s):

A. Tereszko ◽

W. Janeczko ◽

J. Słowik ◽

K. Brzezicka ◽

K. Prochwicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Sorting Task ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Perseverative Errors ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Executive Dysfunctions

IntroductionExecutive dysfunctions in psychotic disorders, mainly schizophrenia are well-known phenomenon, however the information about executive functioning in subclinical psychotic states are still scarce. The rationale for focusing on the delusion-proneness (delusion-like states) is suggested role of executive dysfunction in the process of developing delusions.AimsOur aim is to assess the relationship between delusion-proneness and executive functions.ObjectivesWe would like to assess two cognitive functions: shifting and inhibition and updating, depending on the severity of delusion-like symptoms. We expect that higher delusion-proneness is associated with more pronounced executive dysfunctions, as it is observed in clinical population with existing delusions.MethodsIn order to assess delusion-proneness, we used Polish version of Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI). To evaluate shifting and inhibition, two test were conducted–Berg's Card Sorting Task (BCST) and Stroop task respectively. Correlation analysis were performed.ResultsSixty-four participants (41 women and 23 men) were recruited in this study. Mean age was 28.8, SD = 10.37. Statistical analysis revealed significant negative correlation of PDI distress subscale and BCST non-perseverative errors. The overall score, as well as all PDI subscales correlated negatively also with the Stroop task's total number of errors and positively with the accuracy in incongruent variant.ConclusionsContrary to our expectation, results have shown that delusion-proneness is associated with better results in executive functions test, especially in terms of accuracy. These results suggest that executive functions may play a role in the development and maintenance of delusional ideation, however, its relationship may be a bit more complex.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

The Executive Dysfunctions Most Commonly Associated with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Impact on Occupational Performance

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.4276/030802213x13679275042726 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 76 (5) ◽

pp. 225-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jenny Preston ◽

Richard Hammersley ◽

Helen Gallagher

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Executive Function ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Control Group ◽

Planning Problem ◽

Occupational Performance ◽

Dysexecutive Syndrome ◽

Behavioural Assessment ◽

The Impact ◽

Executive Dysfunctions

Introduction: The relationship between executive dysfunction and functional status in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood. This study attempts to provide empirical evidence of the executive dysfunctions most commonly associated with MS and to develop an understanding of the impact of this on occupational performance. Method: This cross-sectional study explores the relationships between an MS group (n = 69) and a healthy control group (n = 30) using the Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome and the Dysexecutive Questionnaire. Results: More than a third of people with MS experienced some impairment of executive function sufficient to interfere with occupational performance. The most commonly occurring problems included planning, problem solving, behavioural regulation, lack of insight, apathy and lack of motivation. Executive function deficits were evident from the early stages of the disease, although participants with a secondary progressive form of MS appeared to demonstrate greater difficulties. Conclusion: While the Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome may reliably identify the presence of executive dysfunction within this clinical population it does not inform clinicians of the impact on occupational performance. Self-reported executive function demonstrates heightened awareness of occupational performance deficits and may lead to more accurate reporting of executive dysfunction. The impact of depression, fatigue and anxiety, however, requires further investigation.

Download Full-text

Cognitive Processing of Film Cuts Among 4- to 8-Year-Old Children

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000098 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 257-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Carmen Munk ◽

Günter Daniel Rey ◽

Anna Katharina Diergarten ◽

Gerhild Nieding ◽

Wolfgang Schneider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eye Movements ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Media Literacy ◽

Age Groups ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Time Span ◽

Short Film ◽

Calculation Formula ◽

Eye Tracker ◽

Chronological Sequence

An eye tracker experiment investigated 4-, 6-, and 8-year old children’s cognitive processing of film cuts. Nine short film sequences with or without editing errors were presented to 79 children. Eye movements up to 400 ms after the targeted film cuts were measured and analyzed using a new calculation formula based on Manhattan Metrics. No age effects were found for jump cuts (i.e., small movement discontinuities in a film). However, disturbances resulting from reversed-angle shots (i.e., a switch of the left-right position of actors in successive shots) led to increased reaction times between 6- and 8-year old children, whereas children of all age groups had difficulties coping with narrative discontinuity (i.e., the canonical chronological sequence of film actions is disrupted). Furthermore, 4-year old children showed a greater number of overall eye movements than 6- and 8-year old children. This indicates that some viewing skills are developed between 4 and 6 years of age. The results of the study provide evidence of a crucial time span of knowledge acquisition for television-based media literacy between 4 and 8 years.

Download Full-text

Executive functions and intelligent goal-directed behavior: A neuropsychological approach to understanding success using professional sales as a real-life measure.

Psychology & Neuroscience ◽

10.1037/pne0000195 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 158-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Graham Pluck ◽

Cristina Crespo-Andrade ◽

Patricia Parreño ◽

Karla I. Haro ◽

María A. Martínez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Real Life ◽

Life Measure ◽

Goal Directed Behavior ◽

Professional Sales

Download Full-text

Executive Dysfunction Mediates the Association Between Older Age and Online Health Information Search Performance

10.31234/osf.io/cjnyu ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victoria Kordovski ◽

Savanna M. Tierney ◽

Samina Rahman ◽

Luis D. Medina ◽

Michelle A. Babicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Information Search ◽

Search Task ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Older Age ◽

The Internet ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Related Information ◽

Health Related

Objective: Searching the Internet for health-related information is a complex and dynamic goal-oriented process that places demands on executive functions, which are higher-order cognitive abilities that are known to deteriorate with older age. This study aimed to examine the effects of older age on electronic health (eHealth) search behavior, and to determine whether executive functions played a mediating role in that regard. Method: Fifty younger adults (≤ 35 years) and 41 older adults (≥50 years) completed naturalistic eHealth search tasks involving fact-finding (Fact Search) and symptom diagnosis (Symptom Search), a neurocognitive battery, and a series of questionnaires. Results: Multiple regression models with relevant covariates revealed that older adults were slower and less accurate than younger adults on the eHealth Fact Search task, but not on the eHealth Symptom Search task. Nevertheless, executive functions mediated the relationship between older age and eHealth Fact Search and Symptom Search accuracy. Conclusions: Older adults can experience difficulty searching the Internet for some health-related information, which is at least partly attributable to executive dysfunction. Future studies are needed to determine the benefits of training in the organizational and strategic aspects of Internet search for older adults and whether these findings are applicable to clinical populations with executive dysfunction.

Download Full-text