Stress mindset: Does it (or does it not) affect cognitive performance? [University of West Florida]

Stress is widely perceived as debilitating, which is a negative stress mindset, while the helpful aspects of stress, from a positive stress mindset, are often overlooked. Stress mindset can either be a positive, stress-is-enhancing mindset, or a negative, stress-is-debilitating mindset. Previous research has shown that having a positive mindset lowers stress levels and generates better self-reported work performance. Thus, this study focuses on the effects of manipulated stress mindset on objective cognitive performance, which has not been studied before. During each of our three stages (baseline, stress induction, and mindset manipulation), we measured participants’ current subjective stress levels, objective stress levels using a pulse oximeter, stress mindset with the Stress Control Mindset Measure and an implicit association task, and cognitive performance with the Stroop task and Trail Making Task. To induce stress, we informed the participants that they must give a public speech if they did not improve their reaction time and accuracy on the cognitive tasks. Then we manipulated their mindset using a randomly assigned video to convince the participant that stress is either enhancing or debilitating. Our first hypothesis is that the Positive Mindset group will have self-improved accuracy and decreased reaction time in the cognitive tasks as compared to the Negative Mindset group. Our second hypothesis is that the stress levels of the Positive Mindset group will be reduced/mitigated after mindset manipulation as compared to the Negative Mindset group. The between-subjects design will be used to explore the effect of stress mindset (Positive, Negative) on change in stress level and cognitive performance.

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Exercise and Supplementation of Black Mulberry Fruit Extract, Sunflower Seed and Pumpkin Seed Enhance Cognitive Performance among Sedentary University Students

Current Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.2174/1573401316999200630121220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 105-110

Author(s):

Nor A.A.M. Shalan ◽

Norhazira A. Rahim ◽

Nur I. Mohamad

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Group Treatment ◽

Sunflower Seed ◽

Sedentary Lifestyle ◽

Flanker Task ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Cognitive Tasks ◽

Fruit Extract ◽

Pumpkin Seed

Background: sedentary lifestyle has been found to influence cognitive impairment, whereas physical activity and diet have been found to reduce the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: This study aims to examine the synergistic effects of the black mulberry, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed supplements, including exercise on cognitive performance among sedentary university students. Subjects and Methods: Participants (n=36) were randomly assigned to receive black mulberry, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed with and without exercise for 60 days. Then, they were required to complete cognitive task assessment for domain attention (visual reaction time and auditory reaction time), perception (fast counting and basic music) and executive (Eriksen flanker task and Stroop test) on day 0 (baseline), 30, and 60 of the experiment. Following that, blood samples were collected and analyzed for malondialdehyde serum concentration as an oxidative stress marker. Results: All participants showed significant faster reaction time in cognitive tasks for domain attention and basic music test for domain perception on day 30 and 60 compared to day 0. However, no significant changes were observed within group, on cognitive task for domain executive. In comparison between the groups, participants in group treatment showed significant faster reaction time for cognitive tasks for domain attention and for Erikson flanker task for domain executive as compared to group exercise alone, and group treatment with exercise. For domain perception (basic music test), participants in group treatment with exercise achieved faster reaction time compared to group treatment and exercise alone. Despite the reduction of malondialdehyde concentration in all groups, no significant difference was found between them. Conclusion: It was indicated from the findings that the consumption of black mulberry fruit extract, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds with and without exercise independently enhanced attention, perception, and executive function among sedentary young adults.

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Passive heat acclimation does not modulate processing speed and executive functions during cognitive tasks performed at fixed levels of thermal strain

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2021-0243 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hadiatou Barry ◽

Philippe Gendron ◽

Christine Gagnon ◽

Louis Bherer ◽

Daniel Gagnon

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Core Temperature ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Heat Exposure ◽

Thermal Strain ◽

Heat Acclimation ◽

Cognitive Tasks ◽

Time Control

Purpose: This study evaluated if passive controlled hyperthermia heat acclimation (HA) modulates cognitive performance during passive heat stress. Methods: Eight healthy adults (25 ± 4 years) underwent 7 consecutive days of hot water immersion (core temperature ≥38.6°C) and a 7-day time-control period. On days 1 and 7 of HA, participants performed a digital Stroop test at baseline, when core temperature reached 38.6°C, and after 60 minutes at a core temperature ≥38.6°C to evaluate reaction time during tasks targeting processing speed (reading and counting) and executive functions (inhibition and switching). On days 1 and 7 of the time-control intervention, participants performed the Stroop test with equivalent amounts of time separating each task as for HA. Results: During day 1 of HA, reaction time was quicker during the reading (-44 ms [-71, -17], P<0.01) and counting (-39 ms [-76, -2], P=0.04) tasks when rectal temperature reached 38.6°C, but after a further 60 minutes of heat exposure, reaction time only remained quicker during the reading task (-56 ms [-83, -29], P<0.01). Changes in reaction time during heat exposure were unaffected by subsequent HA (interaction, all P≥0.09). Conclusion: Seven days of HA does not modulate processing speed and executive functions during passive heat exposure. Novelty: - Whether heat acclimation (HA) to improve cognitive performance during heat exposure remains understudied. - We tested the hypothesis that HA modulates reaction time during cognitive tasks performed at matched levels of thermal strain. - Despite classical signs of HA, reaction time during heat exposure was unaffected by HA.

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Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Course on Learning and Cognitive Performance among University Students in Taiwan

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/254358 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ho-Hoi Ching ◽

Malcolm Koo ◽

Tsung-Huang Tsai ◽

Chiu-Yuan Chen

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

University Students ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Vigilance Task ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Cognitive Tasks ◽

Attention And Memory ◽

Learning Effectiveness

Mindfulness training has recently gained much research interest because of its putative benefits for both mental and physical health. However, little is available in its effects on Asian students. Therefore, a quasi-experimental pre/posttest design was used to assess the effects of a one-semester mindfulness meditation course in 152 first-year Taiwanese university students and compared with 130 controls. The Chinese version of the College Learning Effectiveness Inventory (CLEI) and a computer software program focused on specific cognitive tasks were used for the evaluation. Results from the analysis of covariance revealed that while the score of the full CLEI scale was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control (P=0.022), none of the comparisons between the nine CLEI subscales were significantly different between the two groups. For the computer cognitive tasks, the intervention group exhibited significantly better performance in the accuracy of the digital vigilance task (P=0.048), choice reaction time (P=0.004), spatial working memory (P=0.042), and digital vigilance task reaction time (P=0.004). This study showed that a one-semester mindfulness meditation course was able to improve learning effectiveness and both attention and memory aspects of cognitive performance among Taiwanese university students.Corrigendum to “Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Course on Learning and Cognitive Performance among University Students in Taiwan”

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Interactions between simultaneous aerobic exercise and mental rotation

Current Psychology ◽

10.1007/s12144-021-01785-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo Jost ◽

Andreas Weishäupl ◽

Petra Jansen

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Mental Rotation ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Cognitive Effort ◽

Mental Rotation Task ◽

Cognitive Tasks

AbstractWhile the effects of aerobic exercise during a cognitive task on the performance of said cognitive task have been extensively studied, it has not been investigated whether cognitive performance during aerobic exercise influences the physical performance. For this, it is the main goal of the study to investigate the physical and cognitive performance during a simultaneous conduction of aerobic exercise and mental rotation. Forty-one German sport students cycled at 60% intensity while simultaneously performing a mental rotation task. In a within-subject design, both physical and cognitive performances were compared with isolated cycling and mental rotation as control conditions using both objective (heart rate and pedal cadence in the cycling task, reaction time and accuracy in the mental rotation task) and subjective (RPE) cognitive and physical measures. The results analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling revealed no effect of either simultaneous cognitive tasks on objective (heart rate) or subjective (RPE) physical effort, nor of simultaneous exercise on reaction time or accuracy in cognitive performance. However, we have found lower cadence during cognitive tasks, which was also stable in time compared to an increase in cadence during exercise control. Furthermore, our results demonstrated increased cognitive effort during exercise. Our findings suggest that increased effort, both physiological and cognitive, is required during combined physical and cognitive work in support of neurological resource conflicts caused by the differing demands of exercise and executive function.

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The Effect of Retest Practice on the Speed-Ability Relationship

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.9.1.24 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 24-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sybille Rockstroh ◽

Karl Schweizer

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Skill Acquisition ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Cognitive Tasks ◽

General Intelligence ◽

Attention Switching ◽

Letter Comparison ◽

Sternberg Paradigm ◽

The Relationship ◽

Elementary Cognitive Tasks

Effects of four retest-practice sessions separated by 2 h intervals on the relationship between general intelligence and four reaction time tasks (two memory tests: Sternberg's memory scanning, Posner's letter comparison; and two attention tests: continuous attention, attention switching) were examined in a sample of 83 male participants. Reaction times on all tasks were shortened significantly. The effects were most pronounced with respect to the Posner paradigm and smallest with respect to the Sternberg paradigm. The relationship to general intelligence changed after practice for two reaction time tasks. It increased to significance for continuous attention and decreased for the Posner paradigm. These results indicate that the relationship between psychometric intelligence and elementary cognitive tasks depends on the ability of skill acquisition. In the search for the cognitive roots of intelligence the concept of learning seems to be of importance.

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Effects of Fatigue on Cognitive Performance in Long-Duration Simulated Flight Missions

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000191 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 82-93

Author(s):

Eduardo Rosa ◽

Ola Eiken ◽

Mikael Grönkvist ◽

Roger Kölegård ◽

Nicklas Dahlström ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Task Performance ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Tasks ◽

Fatigue Index ◽

Fighter Aircraft ◽

Long Duration ◽

Metacognitive Accuracy

Abstract. Fighter pilots may be exposed to extended flight missions. Consequently, there is increasing concern about fatigue. We investigated the effects of fatigue and cognitive performance in a simulated 11-hr mission in the 39 Gripen fighter aircraft. Five cognitive tasks were used to assess cognitive performance. Fatigue was measured with the Samn–Perelli Fatigue Index. Results showed that performance in the non-executive task degraded after approximately 7 hr. Fatigue ratings showed a matching trend to the performance in this task. Performance in tasks taxing executive functions did not decline. We interpreted that fatigue can be overridden by increased attentional effort for executive tasks but not for non-executive components of cognition. Participants underestimated their performance and metacognitive accuracy was not influenced by fatigue.

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Caffeine and Cognitive Functions in Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030868 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 868

Author(s):

Jorge Lorenzo Calvo ◽

Xueyin Fei ◽

Raúl Domínguez ◽

Helios Pareja-Galeano

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Caffeine Intake ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Research Protocols ◽

The Relationship

Cognitive functions are essential in any form of exercise. Recently, interest has mounted in addressing the relationship between caffeine intake and cognitive performance during sports practice. This review examines this relationship through a structured search of the databases Medline/PubMed and Web of Science for relevant articles published in English from August 1999 to March 2020. The study followed PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were defined according to the PICOS model. The identified records reported on randomized cross-over studies in which caffeine intake (as drinks, capsules, energy bars, or gum) was compared to an identical placebo situation. There were no filters on participants’ training level, gender, or age. For the systematic review, 13 studies examining the impacts of caffeine on objective measures of cognitive performance or self-reported cognitive performance were selected. Five of these studies were also subjected to meta-analysis. After pooling data in the meta-analysis, the significant impacts of caffeine only emerged on attention, accuracy, and speed. The results of the 13 studies, nevertheless, suggest that the intake of a low/moderate dose of caffeine before and/or during exercise can improve self-reported energy, mood, and cognitive functions, such as attention; it may also improve simple reaction time, choice reaction time, memory, or fatigue, however, this may depend on the research protocols.

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293 Predictive utility of a brief scale to identify U.S. Army Soldiers who are genetically vulnerable and resilient to sleep loss

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.292 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A117-A117

Author(s):

Janna Mantua ◽

Carolyn Mickelson ◽

Jacob Naylor ◽

Bradley Ritland ◽

Alexxa Bessey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Sleep Deprivation ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Sleep Loss ◽

Cutoff Score ◽

Cognitive Subscale ◽

Army Soldiers ◽

Psychomotor Vigilance

Abstract Introduction Sleep loss that is inherent to military operations can lead to cognitive errors and potential mission failure. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) allele variations of several genes (COMT, ADORA2A, TNFa, CLOCK, DAT1) have been linked with inter-individual cognitive resilience to sleep loss through various mechanisms. U.S. Army Soldiers with resilience-related alleles may be better-suited to perform cognitively-arduous duties under conditions of sleep loss than those without these alleles. However, military-wide genetic screening is costly, arduous, and infeasible. This study tested whether a brief survey of subjective resilience to sleep loss (1) can demarcate soldiers with and without resilience-related alleles, and, if so, (2) can predict cognitive performance under conditions of sleep loss. Methods Six SNPs from the aforementioned genes were sequenced from 75 male U.S. Army special operations Soldiers (age 25.7±4.1). Psychomotor vigilance, response inhibition, and decision-making were tested after a night of mission-driven total sleep deprivation. The Iowa Resilience to Sleeplessness Test (iREST) Cognitive Subscale, which measures subjective cognitive resilience to sleep loss, was administered after a week of recovery sleep. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine whether the iREST Cognitive Subscale can discriminate between gene carriers, and a cutoff score was determined. Cognitive performance after sleep deprivation was compared between those below/above the cutoff score using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests. Results The iREST discriminated between allele variations for COMT (ROC=.65,SE=.07,p=.03), with an optimal cutoff score of 3.03 out of 5, with 90% sensitivity and 51.4% specificity. Soldiers below the cutoff score had significantly poorer for psychomotor vigilance reaction time (t=-2.39,p=.02), response inhibition errors of commission (U=155.00,W=246.00,p=.04), and decision-making reaction time (t=2.13,p=.04) than Soldiers above the cutoff score. Conclusion The iREST Cognitive Subscale can discriminate between those with and without specific vulnerability/resilience-related genotypes. If these findings are replicated, the iREST Cognitive Subscale could be used to help military leaders make decisions about proper personnel placement when sleep loss is unavoidable. This would likely result in increased safety and improved performance during military missions. Support (if any) Support for this study came from the Military Operational Medicine Research Program of the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command.

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Evaluation of Motor and Cognitive Performance in People with Parkinson’s Disease Using Instrumented Trail-Making Test

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000515940 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Ram kinker Mishra ◽

Catherine Park ◽

He Zhou ◽

Bijan Najafi ◽

T. Adam Thrasher

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Pairwise Comparison ◽

Walking Test ◽

Cognitively Normal ◽

Early Results ◽

Trail Making ◽

Changes Over Time

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) progressively impairs motor and cognitive performance. The current tools to detect decline in motor and cognitive functioning are often impractical for busy clinics and home settings. To address the gap, we designed an instrumented trail-making task (iTMT) based on a wearable sensor (worn on the shin) with interactive game-based software installed on a tablet. The iTMT test includes reaching to 5 indexed circles, a combination of numbers (1–3) and letters (A&B) randomly positioned inside target circles, in a sequential order, which virtually appears on a screen kept in front of the participants, by rotating one’s ankle joint while standing and holding a chair for safety. By measuring time to complete iTMT task (iTMT time), iTMT enables quantifying cognitive-motor performance. Purpose: This study’s objective is to examine the feasibility of iTMT to detect early cognitive-motor decline in PDs. Method: Three groups of volunteers, including 14 cognitively normal (CN) older adults, 14 PDs, and 11 mild cognitive impaireds (MCI), were recruited. Participants completed MoCA, 20 m walking test, and 3 trials of iTMT. Results: All participants enabled to complete iTMT with <3 min, indicating high feasibility. The average iTMT time for CN-Older, PD, and MCI participants were 20.9 ± 0.9 s, 32.3 ± 2.4 s, and 40.9 ± 4.5 s, respectively. After adjusting for age and education level, pairwise comparison suggested large effect sizes for iTMT between CN-older versus PD (Cohen’s d = 1.7, p = 0.024) and CN-older versus MCI (d = 1.57, p < 0.01). Significant correlations were observed when comparing iTMT time with the gait speed (r = −0.4, p = 0.011) and MoCA score (r = −0.56, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility and early results supporting the potential application of iTMT to determine cognitive-motor and distinguishing individuals with MCI and PD from CN-older adults. Future studies are warranted to test the ability of iTMT to track its subtle changes over time.

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Are you Watching Me? Interacting Effects of Fear of Negative Evaluation and Social Context on Cognitive Performance

Journal of Experimental Psychopathology ◽

10.5127/jep.059516 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 303-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Erin L. Maresh ◽

Bethany A. Teachman ◽

James A. Coan

Keyword(s):

Social Context ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Task Difficulty ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Negative Evaluation ◽

Fear Of Negative Evaluation ◽

Socially Anxious ◽

Improved Accuracy

Socially anxious individuals exhibit cognitive performance impairments; it is unclear whether this is due to trait differences in abilities or effects of the experimental context. This study sought to determine how social context, individual differences in fear of negative evaluation (FNE), and task difficulty interact to influence working memory performance as indicated by effectiveness (accuracy) and efficiency (reaction times). Participants (N = 61) performed the n-back task at 2-back and 3-back difficulty levels under three conditions: alone (“Anonymous”), in presence of a non-evaluative experimenter (“Presence”), and under explicit performance evaluation by the experimenter (“Threat”). Overall, participants showed improved accuracy during Threat, but only on 2-back trials. FNE was positively associated with longer reaction times during Threat on 3-back trials. FNE did not relate to accuracy, suggesting that threat-related impairments tied to social anxiety may alter efficiency rather than effectiveness. Thus, social anxiety may elicit cognitive performance impairments even in minimally evaluative environments.

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