The main study objective was to investigate the effect of interactive television-based cognitive training on cognitive performance of 119 healthy older adults, aged 60-87 years. Participants were randomly allocated to a cognitive training group or to an active control group in a single-blind controlled two-group design. Before and after training interactive television cognitive performance was assessed on well validated tests of fluid, higher-order ability, and system usability was evaluated. The participants in the cognitive training group completed a television-based cognitive training programme, while the participants in the active control group completed a TV-based programme of personally benefiting activities. Significant improvements were observed in well validated working memory and executive function tasks in the cognitive training but not in the control group. None of the groups showed statistically significant improvement in life satisfaction score. Participants' reports of "adequate" to "high" system usability testify to the successful development and implementation of the interactive television-based system and compliant cognitive training contents. The study demonstrates that cognitive training delivered by means of an interactive television system can generate genuine cognitive benefits in users and these are measurable using well-validated cognitive tests. Thus, older adults who cannot use or afford a computer can easily use digital interactive television to benefit from advanced software applications designed to train cognition.
- MeSH
- Executive Function * MeSH
- Cognition * MeSH
- Memory, Short-Term * MeSH
- Quality of Life MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Television MeSH
- Trail Making Test MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Controlled Clinical Trial MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Predkladaná výskumná štúdia sa venuje problematike chronického odkladania plánovaných povinností u vysokoškolských študentov vo vzťahu k exekutívnym funkciám. Výskumu sa zúčastnilo 275 študentov druhého až štvrtého ročníka. Na zber dát bola využitá Tuckmanovej škála prokrastinácie a na hodnotenie exekutívnych funkcií sebaposudzovací dotazník BRIEF-A. Výsledky výskumu potvrdili zníženú úroveň v ôsmych z deviatich subškál hodnotiacich jednotlivé exekutívne funkcie u prokrastinujúcixh študentov. Na druhej strane sa nepotvrdili rozdiely v miere prokrastinácie z hľadiska rodu, veku ani vnímanej náročnosti štúdia.
The present research study is concerned about chronic postponement of planned duties in university students in relation to executive functions. Research participants (n=275) were 2nd to 4th year colleges students. The participants responded to items of Tuckman Procrastination Scale and Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions questionnaire BRIEF-A). Research results confirmed reduced levels in eight of the nine subscales evaluating various executive functions of students with high degree of procrastination. On the other hand, there have not been confirmed the relationship between academic procrastination and gender, age and also difficulty of study.
- MeSH
- Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Executive Function MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Task Performance and Analysis * MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Students MeSH
- Education, Graduate MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Test kognitivního odhadu (Cognitive Estimations Test, CET) se stává součástí řady vyšetření i výzkumů exekutivních funkcí. Jde o krátký, jednoduchý a uživatelsky přívětivý test. Autoři článku prezentují alternativní formy testu kognitivního odhadu jako doplněk k české originálni verzi testu (TKO, Preiss a Laing, 2001). Popisují test kognitivního odhadu jako vhodný nástroj k vyšetření exekutivních funkcí u poškození mozku různé etiologie. Obě klinicky vyvinuté alternativní formy byly zkoumány na souboru 48 osob bez neurologické nebo psychiatrické morbidity (23 mužů a 25 žen), průměrný věk byl 26,4 let (rozpětí 19-55 let, SD=8,1). V obou formách testu byly vyloučeny extrémní odpovědi (ve verzi č. 14,3 %, ve verzi č. 2 2,8 % odpovědí). Autoři zjistili srovnatelnost položek obou forem vzhledem k pohlaví a nevýznamnou mírnou závislost celkového výkonu v testu na věku (-0,13 u verze č. 1, -0,25 u verze č. 2). Pro klinické a výzkumné hodnocení převedli výkon v testu na vážené skóry podle hranic standardních odchylek. Jako O bodů (výkon bez nápadností) hodnotili výkon v pásmu jedné standardní odchylky od průměru, jako 1 bod (mírně nápadný odhad) odhad mezi první a druhou standardní odchylkou a jako 2 body (nápadný odhad) odhad za hranicí dvou standardních odchylek. Průměr součtu standardních skórů verze č. 1 byl 3,0 vážených bodů (SD=1.8: rozntvl 0-8 bodů), u verze č. 2 3,5 vážených bodů (SD=1,7; rozptyl 0-8 bodů). Korelace mezi součty celkových skórů obou forem je nesignifíkantní (r = 0,22), při započtení extrémních odpovědí 0,33 (p=0,021). Nízká korelace problematizuje paralelitu obou forem. Vliv vzdělání byl statisticky významný u verze č. 1 (oboustranný ř-test,p=0,035), u verze č. 2 nevýznamný (oboustranný ř-test, p=0,538). Autoři doporučují test k využití v klinické praxi i ve výzkumu exekutivních funkcí. Další výzkum by se měl zaměřit na nezávislost výkonu na vzdělání a na kulturním a geografickém prostředí, především však na větší vyváženosti obou forem testu. Výkon v testu může být ovlivněn také psychopatologií osobnosti.
Cognitive Estimations Test (CET) is becoming a part of many examinations and research studies of executive functions. It is a short, simple and user-friendly test. Authors present two alternative forms of the CET as a supplement to the original Czech version of the test (TKO, Preiss and Laing, 2001). They describe the CET as a suitable instrument for investigation of executive functions in brain lesions of various etiology. Both clinically developed alternative forms have been studied in a sample of 48 subjects without any neurologic or psychiatric morbidity (23 males and 25 females), average age 26.4 years (range 19-55, SD = 8.1). In both tests, the extreme responses were excluded (in version 1, 4.3%, in version 2, 2.8% responses). The authors found a comparability of the items in both forms with respect to gender and a non-significant moderate dependence of the total performance in the test on age (-0.13 in version 1, -0.25 in version 2). For clinical and research evaluation, they converted test performance to weighted scores according to standard deviation limits. As 0 points (performance without conspicuity), they scored performances in the range of one standard deviation away fi'om the mean, as 1 point (moderately conspicous estimation), estimation between one and two standard deviations, and as 2 points (conspicous estimation), estimation beyond the limit of two standard deviations. The average sum of standard scores in version 1 was 3 weighted points (SD = 1.8; variance 0-8 points), in version 2, it was 3.5 weighted points (SD = 1.7; variance 0-8 points). Correlation of the sums of total scores of both forms is not significant (r = 0.22), when including the extreme responses 0.33 (p = 0.021). Low correlation makes the parallelity of both forms problematic. The effect of education was statistically significant in version 1 (two-sided ř-test, p = 0.035), not significant in version 2 (two-sided r-test, p = 0.538). The authors recommend the test for use in clinical practice and in research of executive functions. Further research should aim at independence of the performance on education and cultural and geographic environment, though mainly at greater balance of both forms of the test. Test performance can also be influenced by personality psychopathology.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- Cognition MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Brain pathology MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Psychometrics methods MeSH
- Educational Status MeSH
- Efficiency MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Comparative Study MeSH
Cíl: Idiopatický blefarospazmus (BS) byl stejně jako jiné fokální dystonie dlouhou dobu brán jen jako onemocnění s pouze motorickými projevy. V poslední době přibývá důkazů, že kromě motorických obtíží jsou důsledkem předpokládané dysfunkce systému bazálních ganglií u pacientů s BS přítomny i četné non-motorické projevy onemocnění, vč. diskrétních změn v kognitivní výkonnosti. Cílem naší studie je detekce diskrétního exekutivního deficitu v oblasti citlivosti k interferenci u pacientů s BS. Soubor a metodika: Celkem 20 pacientů s BS, 20 pacientů s hemispazmem (HS) léčených pomocí lokálních aplikací botulotoxinu (BTX) a 23 demograficky vázaných kontrol (zdravé kontroly; ZK) absolvovalo vyšetření neuropsychologickou baterií zaměřenou především na exekutivní funkce. Pacienti s BS byli s pacienty s HS párováni dle demografických charakteristik i trvání nemoci a délky léčby. Pacienti byli vyšetřováni v době vrcholícího efektu BTX. Výsledky: V testu exekutivních funkcí Pražský Stroopův Test (PST), interferenční podmínce pacienti s BS mají statisticky významně horší výkonnost ve jmenování neutrálních slov (subtest Slova) oproti pacientům s HS (W = 301,5; p = 0,006) i ZK (W = 362; p < 0,001). Pacienti s BS byli rovněž úzkostnější než ZK (STAI X1: W = 377; p < 0,001; STAI X2: W = 408; p < 0,001). Závěr: V naší studii jsme nalezli diskrétní exekutivní deficit v podobě zvýšené citlivosti k interferenci u pacientů s BS. Oproti ostatním studiím jsme tyto výsledky porovnali s klinickou skupinou pacientů s HS, kteří se nelišili v demografických ani základních klinických charakteristikách onemocnění a byli také léčeni pomocí BTX. Dále jsme potvrdili zvýšenou hladinu úzkosti a úzkostnosti pacientů s BS oproti ZK.
Aim: The aim of our study was to identify selective cognitive abnormalities in cognitive performance of essential blepharospasm (EB) patients. Introduction: EB and other types of focal dystonia have long been considered as a purely motor disorder. In recent years, there has been mounting evidence for non-motor abnormalities due to basal ganglia dysfunction in patents with EB, including selective cognitive deficits. Material and methods: We recruited 20 patients with EB, 20 patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) and 23 demographically matched controls (NC). All participants (EB + HFS + NC) underwent brief neuropsychological battery focused on executive functioning. Furthermore, the patients (EB + HFS) were matched according to their disease duration, treatment duration. Patients were assessed near the peak of botulinum toxin treatment effect. Results: EB patients had significantly longer times (more impaired performance) in the Prague Stroop Test weak interference condition (naming neutral words) in comparison to patients with HFS (W = 301.5; p = 0.006) and HC (W = 362; p < 0.001). EB patients also had higher level of anxiety symptoms than NC as measured by STAI (STAI X1: W = 377; p < 0.001; STAI X2: W = 408; p < 0.001). Conclusion: We found mild executive dysfunction in patients with EB manifesting as higher sensitivity to interference. Unlike other studies, we compared our results with HFS patients that were similar in basic clinical and demographic characteristics and underwent the same botulinum toxin treatment as the EB group. Furthermore, we found higher level of trait and state anxiety in EB patients compared to NC (but not HFS).
- Keywords
- hemispazmus,
- MeSH
- Basal Ganglia MeSH
- Blepharospasm * drug therapy physiopathology psychology MeSH
- Botulinum Toxins therapeutic use MeSH
- Executive Function * MeSH
- Hemifacial Spasm drug therapy physiopathology psychology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neuropsychological Tests * statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Psychometrics MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Stroop Test MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Anxiety diagnosis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: Numerous studies suggest that alcohol abuse has negative effects on cognitive and executive functions. Cognitive deficits in individuals with alcohol use disorders can have a negative impact on the success of treatment and reintegration into normal life and work. AIMS: The aim of this clinical comparative study was to evaluate selected cognitive and executive functions in clients treated for alcohol addiction using the comparison of a sample with the general population norm and to evaluate the potential use of such diagnostic information in treatment and aftercare. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A wide battery of clinical tests was used: the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Trail Making Test (TMT), Numeric Square (CC), Verbal Fluency Test (FAS), Stroop Colour Word Test (SCWT), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), and Case History Questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Our sample consisted of 59 clients (38 men and 21 women, mean age 41.7 years) with a diagnosis of moderate or severe alcohol use disorder admitted to treatment facilities in Kromìøíž and Šternberk and to the Olomouc-based aftercare centre. RESULTS: The majority of the cognitive function measures showed significant differences between clients with alcohol use disorders and the general population norm. The clients in treatment scored lower in AVLT, TMT, and FAS, while they were better than the norm in CC and SCWT. No correlation was found between the length of their history of excessive drinking and the test scores. After evaluating each respondent individually, we concluded that cognitive training could be recommended for 34 (58%) of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed assessment of cognitive and executive functions using a manageable battery of methods and possible subsequent training in cognitive functions provided to clients in treatment and aftercare can be helpful in enhancing the success of treatment, facilitating social reintegration, and reducing the risk of relapse.
Cieľom príspevku je informovať o procese a vybraných výsledkoch slovenskej adaptácie testovej batérie D-KEFS. Základnú štandardizačnú vzorku tvorilo 250 detí s priemerným vekom 9,7 roka, navštevujúcich štvrté ročníky bežných tried východoslovenských základných škôl. Pre zistenie doplnkových informácií týkajúcich sa reliability a validity vybraných testov D-KEFS boli použité ďalšie dva súbory detí (n = 200) vo vekovom rozpätí 10–15 rokov. Okrem testov D-KEFS boli vo validizačných štúdiách použité subtesty Woodcock – Johnsonovej batérie, vybrané subtesty WISC III, Porteusové bludiská a ukazovatele školského prospechu. Výsledky štandardizácie ukázali, že prakticky všetky primárne ukazovatele D-KEFS mali zošikmené distribúcie. Tieto ukazovatele tak pravdepodobne jemnejšie rozlišujú medzi deťmi s nízkymi výkonmi, než medzi deťmi s priemernými alebo nadpriemernými výkonmi. Zároveň sa ukázalo, že slovenské normy sú v porovnaní s normami pre americké deti mierne prísnejšie. Orientačné štúdie reliability a validity testov D-KEFS naznačujú vhodnosť použitia testovej batérie v diagnostickej praxi klinických a poradenských psychológov.
The objective of the paper is to inform about the process and some results obtained in Slovak adaptation of Delis-Kaplan Executive Functions System. Basal standardization sample consisted of 250 children attending fourth year of elementary school with mean age 9,7 yrs. To get additional information regarding reliability and validity of D-KEFS selected tests, another two samples were studied (n = 200) with age ranging 10 – 15 years. For validation study – besides D-KEFS – Woodcock-Johnson test battery, some subtests selected from WISC-III, Porteus labyrinths and indicators of school achievement were used, too. Results showed that distributions of raw score in almost all D-KEFS indicators were significantly skewed which implies that these indicators discriminate probably better in children with low achievements than those with average and high achievements. Norms obtained for Slovak children are, comparing to American, slightly harder because of generally higher achievements in Slovak children. Reliability and validity of Slovak D-KEFS adaptation suggest usability of these tests in psychological assessment in clinical and consulting praxis.
- MeSH
- Adaptation, Psychological * MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Executive Function * physiology classification MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neuropsychological Tests * standards statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Reproducibility of Results MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The occurrence of the local generators of P3-like potentials elicited by a noise-compatibility flanker test was used to study the processing of executive functions, particularly in the frontal and temporal cortices. The test performed with arrows comprised a simpler congruent and a more difficult incongruent task. The two tasks activated the attention and several particular executive functions, i.e., working memory, time perception, initiation, and motor control of executed task. The incongruent task increased demand on executive functions, and besides the functions common for both tasks, an inhibition of automatic responses, the reversal of incorrect response tendency, the internal ordering of the correct response, and the initiation of the target-induced correct response were involved. In seven epilepsy surgery candidates (four men and three women), ranging in age from 26 to 38 years, multicontact depth electrodes were implanted in 590 cortical sites. In the two tasks, the P3-like potential sources were displayed in the mesial temporal structures, the lateral temporal neocortex, the anterior and posterior cingulate, the orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The P3-like potentials occurred more frequently with the incongruent than with congruent stimuli in all these areas. This more frequent occurrence of P3 sources elicited by the incongruent task appeared significant in temporal lateral neocortex and orbitofrontal cortex. The executive functions are processed in a widespread frontotemporal neurocognitive network. This study confirms the involvement of the temporal neocortex in the executive functions.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Electroencephalography methods MeSH
- Epilepsy complications pathology MeSH
- Executive Function physiology MeSH
- Event-Related Potentials, P300 physiology MeSH
- Cognition Disorders etiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Brain Mapping MeSH
- Statistics, Nonparametric MeSH
- Neuropsychological Tests MeSH
- Probability MeSH
- Temporal Lobe physiopathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
1st edition xvi, 183 stran ; 22 cm
- MeSH
- Executive Function MeSH
- Commerce MeSH
- Organization and Administration MeSH
- Organizations MeSH
- Achievement MeSH
- Leadership MeSH
- Publication type
- Monograph MeSH
- Popular Work MeSH
- Conspectus
- Management. Řízení
- NML Fields
- management, organizace a řízení zdravotnictví
- psychologie, klinická psychologie
Executive function deficits, common in psychiatric disorders, hinder daily activities and may be linked to diminished neural plasticity, affecting treatment and training responsiveness. In this pioneering study, we evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin-assisted frontal-midline theta neurofeedback (NF), a neuromodulation technique leveraging neuroplasticity, to improve executive functions (EFs). Thirty-seven eligible participants were randomized into an experimental group (n = 18) and a passive control group (n = 19). The experimental group underwent three microdose sessions and then three psilocybin-assisted NF sessions, without requiring psychological support, demonstrating the approach's feasibility. NF learning showed a statistical trend for increases in frontal-midline theta from session to session with a large effect size and non-significant but medium effect size dynamical changes within sessions. Placebo effects were consistent across groups, with no tasks-based EF improvements, but significant self-reported gains in daily EFs-working memory, shifting, monitoring and inhibition-showing medium and high effect sizes. The experimental group's significant gains in their key training goals underscored the approach's external relevance. A thorough study with regular sessions and an active control group is crucial to evaluate EFs improvement and their specificity in future. Psilocybin-enhanced NF could offer significant, lasting benefits across diagnoses, improving daily functioning. This article is part of the theme issue 'Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation'.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Executive Function * drug effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Neurofeedback * methods MeSH
- Psilocybin * pharmacology MeSH
- Feasibility Studies * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by profound and early deficits in social cognition (SC) and executive functions (EF). To date it remains unclear whether deficits of the respective cognitive domains are based on the degeneration of distinct brain regions. In 103 patients with a diagnosis of bvFTD (possible/probable/definite: N = 40/58/5) from the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) consortium Germany cohort (age 62.5±9.4 years, gender 38 female/65 male) we applied multimodal structural imaging, i.e. voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness (CTH) and networks of structural covariance via source based morphometry. We cross-sectionally investigated associations with performance in a modified Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET; reflective of theory of mind - ToM) and five different tests reflective of EF (i.e. Hamasch-Five-Point Test, semantic and phonemic Fluency, Trail Making Test, Stroop interference). Finally, we investigated the conjunction of RMET correlates with functional networks commonly associated with SC respectively ToM and EF as extracted meta-analytically within the Neurosynth database. RMET performance was mainly associated with gray matter volume (GMV) and CTH within temporal and insular cortical regions and less within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), whereas EF performance was mainly associated with prefrontal regions (GMV and CTH). Overlap of RMET and EF associations was primarily located within the insula, adjacent subcortical structures (i.e. putamen) and the dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC). These patterns were more pronounced after adjustment for the respective other cognitive domain. Corroborative results were obtained in analyses of structural covariance networks. Overlap of RMET with meta-analytically extracted functional networks commonly associated with SC, ToM and EF was again primarily located within the temporal and insular region and the dlPFC. In addition, on a meta-analytical level, strong associations were found for temporal cortical RMET correlates with SC and ToM in particular. These data indicate a temporo-frontal dissociation of bvFTD related disturbances of ToM and EF, with atrophy of the anterior temporal lobe being critically involved in ToM deficits. The consistent overlap within the insular cortex may be attributable to the multimodal and integrative role of this region in socioemotional and cognitive processing.
- MeSH
- Executive Function * physiology MeSH
- Frontotemporal Dementia * pathology diagnostic imaging physiopathology psychology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging * MeSH
- Brain diagnostic imaging pathology MeSH
- Neuropsychological Tests * MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Social Cognition MeSH
- Theory of Mind * physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
