EFEKTIVITAS PEMBELAJARAN GEOMETRI MOLEKUL MENGGUNAKAN MOBILE VIRTUAL REALITY (MVR) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN VISUOSPASIAL

Chemistry is a branch of science that encourages various advances in various fields. However, the characteristics of chemistry which have complex concepts make it difficult for class X high school students to understand chemistry. Thus, the problem that is the focus of discussion in this study is how to overcome the low visuospatial skills of high school students in class X, so that students can understand complex concepts in chemistry. This study uses the research design and development of the 4D Thiaganrajan modified 3D Ibrahim method. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Mobile Virtual Reality (MVR)-based molecular geometry learning media in improving visuospatial skills. The effectiveness of the MVR-based molecular geometry learning media is stated based on the interpretation of the N-Gain score. The results showed an increase in the percentage of correct answers on the posttest by 32.15% with a significance level ranging from 0.57-1 in the medium to high category. In this regard, the use of MVR-based molecular geometry learning media is said to be effective because it can improve students' visuospatial skills. That is, MVR-based molecular geometry learning media can help students to comprehensively represent molecular geometry sub-materials.AbstrakKimia merupakan salah satu cabang ilmu pengetahuan yang mendorong berbagai kemajuan di berbagai bidang. Namun, karakteristik ilmu kimia yang memiliki konsep kompleks membuat peserta didik SMA kelas X sulit memahami ilmu kimia. Dengan demikian, masalah yang menjadi fokus pembahasan di dalam penelitian ini adalah Bagaimana cara mengatasi visuospasial skills peserta didik SMA kelas X yang tergolong rendah, agar peserta didik mampu memahami konsep kompleks dalam ilmu kimia. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian dan pengembangan metode 4D Thiaganrajan modifikasi 3D Ibrahim. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivias media pembelajaran geometri molekul berbasis Mobile Virtual Reality (MVR) dalam meningkatkan visuospasial skills. Efektivitas media pembelajaran geometri molekul berbasis MVR dinyatakan berdasarkan interpretasi skor N-Gain. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan peningkatan persentase jawaban benar pada postest sebesar 32,15% dengan tingkat signifikansi berkisar antara 0,57-1 pada kategori sedang sampai dengan tinggi. Dalam kaitan ini, pemanfaatan media pembelajaran geometri molekul berbasis MVR dikatakan efektif karena dapat meningkatkan visuospasial skills peserta didik. Artinya, media pembelajaran geometri molekul berbasis MVR dapat membantu peserta didik untuk merepresentasikan submateri geometri molekul secara komprehensif.

Analyzing the specific role of cognitive functioning on successful aging

Introduction: The cognitive functioning, as a general measure, is a criterion commonly used to define and operationalize successful aging. (Project-Conacyt-256589) The aim of this study is to analyze specific domains of cognitive function and its relationship with the successful aging in older adults. Methods: Population based, random sample included n=453 community-dwelling older adults 60-years and older (mean age=72.51,SD=8.11 years,59.4% women). Cognitive functioning was assessed by a comprehensive battery including working memory(Digit Span Backward WAIS-IV), episodic memory, meta-memory(self-report), processing speed(Symbol Digit WAIS-IV), attention(TMT-A), executive functioning(TMT-B), learning potential(RAVLT), language(FAS), visuospatial skills(Block Design WAIS-IV). Successful aging was operationalized as no important disease, no disability, physical functioning, cognitive functioning, and being actively engaged. Sociodemographic and health data were also asked. Data were analyzed in SPSSv24, MANOVAs and size effects were calculated. Results: In total 11.2% were successful agers and 11.4% had Mild Cognitive impairment. Global cognitive functioning was significantly related to the achievement of successful aging criteria. Cognitive functioning had a significant effect on successful aging, specifically executive functions (F=1.07,p=.000) explained 32.7% of the variance, attention explained 29.8% (F=1.19,p=.006), processing-speed 21% (F=1.38,p=.000), and learning potential 21.5% ((F=1.12,p=.005). Language, visuospatial skills, working memory and meta-memory had a very small effect. Conclusion: Knowledge generated by this study reveals the specific role of cognitive domains on successful aging, and sets a scenario to promote successful aging, through alternatives centered in the improvement of cognition in the older adults.

Cognitive consequences of COVID-19: results of a cohort study from South America

ABSTRACT Background: Neurological and psychiatric manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported throughout the scientific literature. However, studies on post-COVID cognitive impairment in people with no previous cognitive complaint are scarce. Objective: We aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive functions in adults without cognitive complaints before infection and to study cognitive dysfunction according to disease severity and cognitive risk factors. Methods: Forty-five post-COVID-19 patients and forty-five controls underwent extensive neuropsychological evaluation, which assessed cognitive domains such as memory, language, attention, executive functions, and visuospatial skills, including psychiatric symptomatology scales. Data were collected on the severity of infection, premorbid medical conditions, and functionality for activities of daily living before and after COVID-19. Results: Significant differences between groups were found in cognitive composites of memory (p=0.016, Cohen’s d= 0.73), attention (p<0.001, Cohen’s d=1.2), executive functions (p<0.001, Cohen’s d=1.4), and language (p=0.002, Cohen’s d=0.87). The change from premorbid to post-infection functioning was significantly different between severity groups (WHODAS, p=0.037). Self-reported anxiety was associated with the presence of cognitive dysfunction in COVID-19 subjects (p=0.043). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the presence of cognitive symptoms in post-COVID-19 patients may persist for months after disease remission and argue for the inclusion of cognitive assessment as a protocolized stage of the post-COVID examination. Screening measures may not be sufficient to detect cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 patients.

540 - COGNITIVE STIMULATION THROUGH OROICOGNITIVE, A VIRTUAL REALITY APP FOR OLDER PEOPLE

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation carried out through OroiCognitive, a virtual reality app, in older people, as well as its acceptance and attractiveness to them.METHOD:The research was carried out with 31 participants with a number two or three in the global deterioration scale (GDS).15 of these participants were part of the control group, and 16 of the experimental group.The intervention through virtual reality, with exercises more similar to daily activities, allows working on attention, language, memory, orientation, visuospatial skills and executive functions.It was carried out in 12 sessions, 3 times a week, lasting 25 minutes each one, individually.Bouth groups were evaluated using the MINI-MENTAL Cognitive Examination and some subtest of the Weschler Intelligence Scale for adults (WAIS-IV).RESULTS:Regarding to the effectiveness of the stimulation, the results show significant improvements in vocabulary and information in those with GDS2, in the experimental group.No statistically significant improvements were found in the rest of the areas. Regarding the assessment of the tool, 69% of the participants rated it as quite useful and interesting. According to the qualitative data collected by the therapists, the users were happier and more animated during and after the intervention.

Factors Explaining Deficits in Reading Acquisition: The Case of Williams Syndrome

Purpose Multiple factors impact reading acquisition in individuals with reading disability, including genetic disorders such as Williams syndrome (WS). Despite a relative strength in oral language, individuals with WS usually have an intellectual disability and tend to display deficits in areas associated with reading. There is substantial variability in their reading skills. While some authors have postulated that phonological deficits are at the source of their reading deficits, others have suggested that they can be attributed to visuospatial deficits. This study was the first to undertake an in-depth exploration of reading skills among French-speaking children and adults with WS. We tested the assumption that some factors influence performance on single-word identification among individuals with WS, with a focus on the roles of phonological awareness and visuospatial skills. Method Participants were 29 French-speaking adults with WS and 192 controls matched for nonverbal mental age and reading level. We administered tests assessing reading (decoding and word recognition), vocabulary (expressive and receptive), and phonological and visuospatial skills. We also controlled for chronological age and nonverbal reasoning. Results Phonemic awareness was the most predictive factor of single-word identification in the WS group. Visuospatial skills also contributed, but not more or beyond other factors. More broadly, reasoning skills may also have accounted for the variability in single-word identification in WS, but this was not the case for either chronological age or vocabulary. Conclusions There is considerable heterogeneity among adults with WS, who may be either readers or prereaders. Similar profiles identified among individuals with other specific learning disabilities suggest that high reading variability is not specific to the neuropsychological profile of WS. We discuss a multidimensional approach to the factors involved in reading deficits in WS.

Perampanel and Visuospatial Skills in Children With Epilepsy

Introduction: Perampanel (PER) is a non-competitive AMPA glutamate receptor antagonist approved for focal and generalized seizures as add-on therapy. PER does not seem to negatively affect the cognitive profile in children and adolescents, but its influence on visuospatial abilities is still to be assessed. The aim of our study was to assess visuospatial skills through a standardized neuropsychological evaluation in adolescents taking PER for 12 months.Methods: Our sample included 46 adolescents aged 12–18 years with focal and generalized drug-resistant epilepsy already in therapy with one or two antiseizure medications. Changes in visuospatial perception and memory were assessed by the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test at baseline (before taking PER) and after 12 months of pharmacological treatment. Executive functions and non-verbal intelligence were also assessed at baseline.Results: After 12 months of PER therapy, the mean scores on the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test remained almost unchanged for both visuospatial perception and visuospatial memory skills. At baseline, visuospatial memory was related to executive function, and visuospatial perception was related to executive function and non-verbal intelligence.Conclusions: Adjunctive treatment with PER did not negatively affect visuospatial skills. No adverse event effects have been reported after 12 months of follow-up, and this suggests a good tolerability in the middle-to-long term.

Do Advanced Spatial Strategies Depend on the Number of Flight Hours? The Case of Military Pilots

Background: Military pilots show advanced visuospatial skills. Previous studies demonstrate that they are better at mentally rotating a target, taking different perspectives, estimating distances and planning travel and have a topographic memory. Here, we compared navigational cognitive styles between military pilots and people without flight experience. Pilots were expected to be more survey-style users than nonpilots, showing more advanced navigational strategies. Method: A total of 106 military jet pilots from the Italian Air Force and 92 nonpilots from the general population matched for education with the pilots were enrolled to investigate group differences in navigational styles. The participants were asked to perform a reduced version of the Spatial Cognitive Style Test (SCST), consisting of six tasks that allow us to distinguish individuals in terms of landmark (people orient themselves by using a figurative memory for environmental objects), route (people use an egocentric representation of the space) and survey (people have a map-like representation of the space) user styles. Results: In line with our hypothesis, military pilots mainly adopt the survey style, whereas nonpilots mainly adopt the route style. In addition, pilots outperformed nonpilots in both the 3D Rotation Task and Map Description Task. Conclusions: Military flight expertise influences some aspects of spatial ability, leading to enhanced human navigation. However, it must be considered that they are a population whose navigational skills were already high at the time of selection at the academy before formal training began.

Frontotemporal dementia and financial capacity: facing the Cerberus of overestimation or underestimation?

Objective: This study investigates the performance of people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) on objective assessment of financial capacity with comparison to the estimation of financial capacity by both people themselves and their caregivers. Method: FTD patients and healthy (age/gender/education-matched) controls from Greece underwent cognitive assessment (memory, attention, executive functioning, visuospatial skills, verbal functions), emotional (anxiety, depression), and financial capacity assessment (Legal Capacity for Property Law Transactions Assessment Scale—LCPLTAS). Additionally, they self-reported on their financial performance and a third-party living with the older participants for both groups reported their estimates of financial performance and their anxiety and depression levels. Results: Financial capacity in FTD patients is severely impaired compared to controls, but caregivers of FTD patients tend to overestimate the patients’ financial performance, a finding that is not related to the caregivers’ depression and anxiety levels or other demographics. FTD patients overestimate their financial capacity. Conclusion: FTD may have significant impact on financial capacity, but people with FTD tend to overestimate their own financial capacity. This study also indicates that families and caregivers tend to overestimate financial capacity in people with FTD. This has implications for the assessment and care planning of people with FTD in clinical settings.