The Negative Impact of Noise on Adolescents’ Executive Function: An Online Study in the Context of Home-Learning During a Pandemic

UNICEF estimates that 1.6 billion children across the world have had their education impacted by COVID-19 and have attempted to continue their learning at home. With ample evidence showing a negative impact of noise on academic achievement within schools, the current pre-registered study set out to determine what aspects of the home environment might be affecting these students. Adolescents aged 11–18 took part online, with 129 adolescents included after passing a headphone screening task. They filled out a sociodemographic questionnaire, followed by a home environment and noise questionnaire. Participants then completed three executive function tasks (the Flanker, the Backward Digit Span, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) while listening to a soundtrack of either white noise or home-like environmental noise. For purposes of analysis, based on the noise questionnaire, participants were separated into quieter and noisier homes. Results revealed that measures of the home environment significantly correlated with individual perceptions of noise and task performance. In particular, adolescents coming from noisier homes were more likely to report that they studied in a noisy room and that they were annoyed by noise when studying. In terms of noise and task performance, the Flanker task revealed that while older adolescents were more efficient overall than their younger peers, those older adolescents from noisier homes seemed to lose this advantage. Additionally, reaction times for younger adolescents from noisier homes were less impacted by accuracy compared to their peers from quieter homes, though there was no difference for the older adolescents. This evidence suggests that higher in-home noise levels lead to higher rates of annoyance and may be hindering home-learning, with both younger and older adolescents being impacted. Furthermore, the long-term effect of in-home noise on adolescent executive function task performance indicates that these findings transcend the pandemic and would influence in-school learning. Limitations and advantages of online adolescent research without researcher supervision are discussed, including sociodemographics and adapting tasks.

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Reliability and validity of neurobehavioral function on the Psychology Experimental Building Language test battery in young adults

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1460 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. e1460 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Brian J. Piper ◽

Shane T. Mueller ◽

Alexander R. Geerken ◽

Kyle L. Dixon ◽

Gregory Kroliczak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Mental Rotation ◽

Digit Span ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Limited Information ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Neurobehavioral Function ◽

Pursuit Rotor ◽

Sorting Test

Background.The Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) software consists of over one-hundred computerized tests based on classic and novel cognitive neuropsychology and behavioral neurology measures. Although the PEBL tests are becoming more widely utilized, there is currently very limited information about the psychometric properties of these measures.Methods.Study I examined inter-relationships among nine PEBL tests including indices of motor-function (Pursuit Rotor and Dexterity), attention (Test of Attentional Vigilance and Time-Wall), working memory (Digit Span Forward), and executive-function (PEBL Trail Making Test, Berg/Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Iowa Gambling Test, and Mental Rotation) in a normative sample (N= 189, ages 18–22). Study II evaluated test–retest reliability with a two-week interest interval between administrations in a separate sample (N= 79, ages 18–22).Results.Moderate intra-test, but low inter-test, correlations were observed and ceiling/floor effects were uncommon. Sex differences were identified on the Pursuit Rotor (Cohen’sd= 0.89) and Mental Rotation (d= 0.31) tests. The correlation between the test and retest was high for tests of motor learning (Pursuit Rotor time on targetr= .86) and attention (Test of Attentional Vigilance response timer= .79), intermediate for memory (digit spanr= .63) but lower for the executive function indices (Wisconsin/Berg Card Sorting Test perseverative errors = .45, Tower of London moves = .15). Significant practice effects were identified on several indices of executive function.Conclusions.These results are broadly supportive of the reliability and validity of individual PEBL tests in this sample. These findings indicate that the freely downloadable, open-source PEBL battery (http://pebl.sourceforge.net) is a versatile research tool to study individual differences in neurocognitive performance.

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Reliability and validity of neurobehavioral function on the Psychology Experimental Building Language test battery in young-adults

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1331 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Brian J Piper ◽

Shane T Mueller ◽

Alexander R Geerken ◽

Kyle L Dixon ◽

Gregory Kroliczak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Mental Rotation ◽

Digit Span ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Limited Information ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Neurobehavioral Function ◽

Pursuit Rotor ◽

Sorting Test

Background. The Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) software consists of over one-hundred computerized tests based on classic cognitive neuropsychology and behavioral neurology measures. Although the PEBL tests are becoming more widely utilized, there is currently very limited information about the psychometric properties of these measures. Methods. Study I examined inter-relationships among ten PEBL tests including indices of motor-function (Pursuit Rotor and Dexterity), attention (Test of Attentional Vigilance and Time-Wall), working memory (Digit Span Forward), and executive-function (PEBL Trail Making Test, Berg/Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Iowa Gambling Test, and Mental Rotation) in a normative sample (N = 189, ages 18-22). Study II evaluated test-retest reliability with a two-week interest interval between administrations in a separate sample (N = 79, ages 18-22). Results. Moderate intra-test, but low inter-test, correlations were observed and ceiling/floor effects were uncommon. Sex differences were identified on the Pursuit Rotor (Cohen’s d = 0.89) and Mental Rotation (d = 0.31) tests. The correlation between the test and retest was high for tests of motor learning (Pursuit Rotor time on target r = .86) and attention (Test of Attentional Vigilance response time r = .79), intermediate for memory (digit span r = .63) but lower for the executive function indices (Wisconsin/Berg Card Sorting Test perseverative errors = .45, Tower of London moves = .15). Significant practice effects were identified on several indices of executive function. Conclusions. These results are broadly supportive of the reliability and validity of individual PEBL tests in this sample. These findings indicate that the freely downloadable, open-source, PEBL battery http://pebl.sourceforge.net is a versatile research tool to study individual differences in neurocognitive performance.

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Lack of executive function deficits among adult ADHD individuals from a Brazilian clinical sample

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642009dn30100007 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 34-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eloisa Saboya ◽

Gabriel Coutinho ◽

Daniel Segenreich ◽

Vanessa Ayrão ◽

Paulo Mattos

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Digit Span ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Executive Function Deficits

Abstract Executive function deficits have been previously documented in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Objective: The current study aimed to compare measures of executive functions among a clinical sample of adults with ADHD and normal control subjects, matched for age, gender and education. Methods: Twenty-three self-referred adults diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria, and twenty-five control subjects were assessed using a neuropsychological battery which included the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, Trail Making Test (A and B), Stroop Test and Raven's Progressive Matrices. Results: The ADHD group did not differ significantly from the control subjects on any of the measures assessed. Conclusion: Measures of executive functions using this test battery were unable to discriminate between adults with ADHD and control subjects in this clinical sample.

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The Negative Effect of Job Insecurity in the Virtuous Cycle Between Trust in the Organization, Subjective Well-Being, and Task Performance in the Current Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity Context

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.796669 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Živilė Stankevičiūtė ◽

M. Isabel Sanchez-Hernandez ◽

Eglė Staniškienė

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Job Insecurity ◽

Employee Performance ◽

Well Being ◽

General Assumption ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

The Impact ◽

And Task

Over the past decade, job insecurity referring to the employees’ perceived threat to the continuity and stability of employment as it is currently experienced has become a hot topic. A general assumption, supported by the findings, is that job insecurity causes far-reaching negative consequences for the employee health and well-being, attitudes toward organization and the job, and behaviors at work. However, the focus on behavioral outcomes, especially on employee performance at work, is still scant. Moreover, the literature remains fragmented concerning the impact of job insecurity on employee trust in the organization and how the trust influences employee subjective well-being (SWB), which in turn affects employee performance. Consequently, the link between job insecurity and SWB needs more investigation. Trying to narrow the gap, the paper aims at revealing the linkage between job insecurity, trust in the organization, SWB, and task performance. Quantitative data were collected in Lithuania. As predicted, the results revealed that job insecurity had a negative impact on trust in the organization and employee SWB. In case of linkage between job insecurity and task performance, the hypothesis was rejected. In general, these findings affirmed that job insecurity was a hindrance stressor, which needed to be considered when managing human resources in the current volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity context.

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Experimental dyspnoea interferes with locomotion and cognition: a randomised trial

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00054-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (2) ◽

pp. 2000054 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David Lawi ◽

Elise Dupuis-Lozeron ◽

Gregory Berra ◽

Gilles Allali ◽

Thomas Similowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Digit Span ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Adult Intelligence Scale ◽

Loaded Breathing

BackgroundChronic respiratory diseases are associated with cognitive dysfunction, but whether dyspnoea by itself negatively impacts on cognition has not been demonstrated. Cortical networks engaged in subjects experiencing dyspnoea are also activated during other tasks that require cognitive input and this may provoke a negative impact through interference with each other.MethodsThis randomised, crossover trial investigated whether experimentally-induced dyspnoea would negatively impact on locomotion and cognitive function among 40 healthy adults. Crossover conditions were unloaded breathing or loaded breathing using an inspiratory threshold load. To evaluate locomotion, participants were assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Cognitive function was assessed by categorical and phonemic verbal fluency tests, the Trail Making Tests (TMTs) A and B (executive function), the CODE test from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-IV (processing speed) and by direct and indirect digit span (working memory).ResultsThe mean time difference to perform the TUG test between unloaded and loaded breathing was −0.752 s (95% CI −1.012 to −0.492 s) (p<0.001). Executive function, processing speed and working memory performed better during unloaded breathing, particularly for subjects starting first with the loaded breathing condition.ConclusionOur data suggest that respiratory threshold loading to elicit dyspnoea had a major impact on locomotion and cognitive function in healthy adults.

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Reliability and validity of neurobehavioral function on the Psychology Experimental Building Language test battery in young-adults

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1331v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Brian J Piper ◽

Shane T Mueller ◽

Alexander R Geerken ◽

Kyle L Dixon ◽

Gregory Kroliczak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Mental Rotation ◽

Digit Span ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Limited Information ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Neurobehavioral Function ◽

Pursuit Rotor ◽

Sorting Test

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Working memory, executive function and impulsivity in Internet-addictive disorders: a comparison with pathological gambling

Acta Neuropsychiatrica ◽

10.1017/neu.2015.54 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 92-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Zhenhe Zhou ◽

Hongliang Zhou ◽

Hongmei Zhu

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Pathological Gambling ◽

False Alarm ◽

False Alarm Rate ◽

Digit Span ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Addictive Disorders ◽

Hit Rate

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to test whether individuals with Internet addiction disorder (IAD) presented analogous characteristics of working memory, executive function and impulsivity compared with pathological gambling (PG) patients.MethodsThe subjects included 23 individuals with IAD, 23 PG patients and 23 controls. All of the participants were measured with the digit span task, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, go/no-go task and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) under the same experimental conditions.ResultsThe results of this study showed that the false alarm rate, total response errors, perseverative errors, failure to maintain set and BIS-11 scores of both the IAD and PG groups were significantly higher than that of the control group. In addition, the forward scores and backwards scores, percentage of conceptual level responses, number of categories completed and hit rate of the IAD and PG groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. Furthermore, the false alarm rate and BIS-11 scores of the IAD group were significantly higher than those of PG patients, and the hit rate was significantly lower than that of the PG patients.ConclusionsIndividuals with IAD and PG patients present deficiencies in working memory, executive dysfunction and impulsivity, and individuals with IAD are more impulsive than PG patients.

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A Preliminary Investigation of the Running Digit Span As a Test of Working Memory

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2008/195684 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (1-2) ◽

pp. 17-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marjan Jahanshahi ◽

T. Saleem ◽

Aileen K. Ho ◽

R. Fuller ◽

Georg Dirnberger

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Task Performance ◽

Digit Span ◽

Preliminary Investigation ◽

Executive Processes ◽

Immediate Memory ◽

Span Tasks ◽

The Relationship ◽

Simple Dissociation

The objective of this study was to compare performance on different versions of the running span task, and to examine the relationship between task performance and tests of episodic memory and executive function. We found that the average capacity of the running span was approximately 4 digits, and at long sequence lengths, performance was no longer affected by varying the running span window. Both episodic and executive function measures correlated with short and long running spans, suggesting that a simple dissociation between immediate memory and executive processes in short and long running digit span tasks may not be warranted.

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Self-Reported Sleep and Executive Function in Early Primary School Children

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.793000 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yulu Chen ◽

Yiji Wang ◽

Si Wang ◽

Ming Zhang ◽

Nan Wu

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Digit Span ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

The Other ◽

Self Report ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Card Sorting

The study investigated the associations between children’s self-reported habitual sleep disturbance and multidimensional executive function (EF). Two hundred and four 7–9-year-old typically developing children completed the Sleep Self-Report and finished the Red-Blue Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Backward Digit Span Test, indexing different EF components including inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Results revealed that all the three EF components were significantly correlated with sleep. However, cognitive flexibility was no longer significantly related to sleep when the other EF components – inhibitory control and working memory – were controlled for. Meanwhile, inhibitory control, as well as working memory, was still significantly related to sleep after controlling for the other EF components. Results suggest that children’s self-reported sleep might be associated directly with inhibitory control and working memory, but indirectly with cognitive flexibility.

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Executive cognitive tests for the evaluation of patients with Parkinson's disease

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642009dn20300008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 206-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Emmanuelle Silva Tavares Sobreira ◽

Marina Ceres Silva Pena ◽

José Humberto Silva Filho ◽

Carolina Pinto Souza ◽

Guiomar Nascimento Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Executive Function ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Digit Span ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Perseverative Errors ◽

Test Category

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by changes in movement, which are later followed by cognitive, behavioral and psychological changes. The objective of the present study was to correlate different tests used to examine executive functions in PD patients followed at a specialized outpatient clinic. Methods: Thirty-five patients with idiopathic PD aged 63.0 years on average and with mean schooling of 5.5±4.2 years, were examined using the following tests: Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), Scales for Outcomes of Parkinson's Disease-Cognition (SCOPA-COG), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Digit Span - Inverse Order (IO) (a subtest of the WAIS III) and Verbal Fluency Test (category animals). Results: Significant correlations were detected between FAB and MDRS Conceptualization (0.814), MDRS Initiation/Perseveration (I/P) and SCOPA-COG Executive Function (0.643), FAB and MDRS I/P (0.601), FAB and Verbal Fluency (0.602), MDRS I/P and MDRS Conceptualization (0.558), Verbal Fluency and MDRS I/P (0.529), MDRS Attention and SCOPA-COG Executive Function (0.495), MDRS Conceptualization and SCOPA-COG Executive Function (0.520), FAB and Digit Span (OI) (0.503), Verbal Fluency and MDRS Conceptualization (0.501), and WCST perseverative errors and FAB (-0.379), WCST perseverative errors and MDRS Conceptualization (0.445), WCST perseverative errors and MDRS I/P (-0.407) and WCST categories completed and MDRS Conceptualization (0.382). Discussion: The results demonstrated strong correlations between most of the tests applied, but no associations were detected between the WCST and the other tests, a fact that may be explained by the heterogeneity of scores obtained in the tests by the patients evaluated. A difficulty of the present study was the lack of a control groups for the establishment of adequate standards for this population.

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