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Journal of Behavioral Addictions Oct 2023Implicit cognitions may be involved in the development and maintenance of specific Internet use disorders such as problematic social network use (PSNU). In more detail,... (Review)
Review
Implicit cognitions may be involved in the development and maintenance of specific Internet use disorders such as problematic social network use (PSNU). In more detail, implicit attitude, attentional biases, approach and avoidance tendencies as well as semantic memory associations are considered relevant in the context of PSNU. This viewpoint article summarizes the available literature on implicit cognitions in PSNU. We systematically reviewed articles of implicit cognitions in PSNU from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases based on a targeted search strategy and assessed using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The present findings suggest that specific implicit cognitions are important in the context of PSNU and therefore show parallels to other addictive behaviors. However, the empirical evidence is limited to a few studies on this topic. Implicit cognitions in PSNU should be explored in more depth and in the context of other affective and cognitive mechanisms in future work.
Topics: Humans; Cognition; Behavior, Addictive; Attentional Bias; Social Networking
PubMed: 37450371
DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00035 -
Sleep Medicine Nov 2023Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias are often benign and transient, requiring no formal treatment. However, parasomnias can also be chronic, disrupt sleep quality,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias are often benign and transient, requiring no formal treatment. However, parasomnias can also be chronic, disrupt sleep quality, and pose a significant risk of harm to the patient or others. Numerous behavioral strategies have been described for the management of NREM parasomnias, but there have been no published comprehensive reviews. This systematic review was conducted to summarize the range of behavioral and psychological interventions and their efficacy.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of the literature to identify all reports of behavioral and psychological treatments for NREM parasomnias (confusional arousals, sexsomnia, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, sleep-related eating disorder, parasomnia overlap disorder). This review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021230360). The search was conducted in the following databases (initially on March 10, 2021 and updated February 24, 2023): Ovid (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library databases (Wiley), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), and Web of Science (Clarivate). Given a lack of standardized quantitative outcome measures, a narrative synthesis approach was used. Risk of bias assessment used tools from Joanna Briggs Institute.
RESULTS
A total of 72 publications in four languages were included, most of which were case reports (68%) or case series (21%). Children were included in 32 publications and adults in 44. The most common treatment was hypnosis (33 publications) followed by various types of psychotherapy (31), sleep hygiene (19), education/reassurance (15), relaxation (10), scheduled awakenings (9), sleep extension/scheduled naps (9), and mindfulness (5). Study designs and inconsistent outcome measures limited the evidence for specific treatments, but some evidence supports multicomponent CBT, sleep hygiene, scheduled awakenings, and hypnosis.
CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights the wide breadth of behavioral and psychological interventions for managing NREM parasomnias. Evidence for the efficacy of these treatments is limited by the retrospective and uncontrolled nature of most research as well as the infrequent use of validated quantitative outcome measures. Behavioral and psychological treatments have been studied alone and in various combinations, and recent publications suggest a trend toward preference for multicomponent cognitive behavioral therapies designed to specifically target priming and precipitating factors of NREM parasomnias.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Parasomnias; Somnambulism; Sleep Arousal Disorders; Night Terrors
PubMed: 37716336
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.09.004 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jan 2021Pupillometry, measuring pupil size and reactivity, has been proposed as a measure of autonomic nervous system functioning, the latter which might be altered in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Pupillometry, measuring pupil size and reactivity, has been proposed as a measure of autonomic nervous system functioning, the latter which might be altered in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aims to evaluate if pupillary responses differ in individuals with and without ASD. After performing a systematic literature search, we conducted a meta-analysis and constructed a qualitative synthesis. The meta-analysis shows a longer latency of the pupil response in the ASD-group as a substantial group difference, with a Hedges' g of 1.03 (95% CI 0.49-1.56, p = 0.008). Evidence on baseline pupil size and amplitude change is conflicting. We used the framework method to perform a qualitative evaluation of these differences. Explanations for the group differences vary between studies and are inconclusive, but many authors point to involvement of the autonomous nervous system and more specifically the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system. Pupillometry reveals differences between people with and without ASD, but the exact meaning of these differences remains unknown. Future studies should align research designs and investigate a possible effect of maturation.
Topics: Attention; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Humans; Locus Coeruleus; Norepinephrine
PubMed: 33172600
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.032 -
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2022Alexithymia is a psychological construct that describes one's difficulty in understanding and describing their own emotions as well as differentiating feelings from... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Alexithymia is a psychological construct that describes one's difficulty in understanding and describing their own emotions as well as differentiating feelings from bodily signals of arousal. In the general population, alexithymia's prevalence is approximately 10%. Alexithymia may act as a triggering factor for many medical and psychiatric disorders. In patients with physical disease, alexithymia's prevalence reaches up to 63%. Additionally, alexithymia is associated with worse outcomes and heightened psychosocial comorbidities.
OBJECTIVE
This review continues where an earlier review (Willemsen, 2008) left off to (1) clarify alexithymia's prevalence in dermatology patients and (2) further investigate alexithymia's impact on disease burden, psychosocial comorbidities, and treatment.
METHODS
Systematic searches on alexithymia and dermatologic conditions were conducted using PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science databases from March 8, 2021, to March 12, 2021. Data from eligible publications, which were full-text, clinical studies published after September 1, 2008, and available in English, were extracted by two medical students and summarized.
RESULTS
Despite a small number of publications (n = 37), data showed a markedly greater prevalence and severity of alexithymia in patients with alopecia, vitiligo, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria, and primary focal hyperhidrosis compared to healthy controls. Further, data consistently demonstrate a complex interplay between alexithymia, disease burden, and psychosocial comorbidity.
CONCLUSIONS
Identifying and addressing alexithymia in dermatology patients may improve treatment outcomes, associated comorbidities, and health-related quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Affective Symptoms; Quality of Life; Psoriasis; Comorbidity; Prevalence
PubMed: 35636409
DOI: 10.1159/000524736 -
The Journal of Sexual Medicine Mar 2023Sexual function after hysterectomy can be a concern for patients, and research remains inconclusive about changes in sexual function associated with hysterectomy. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Sexual function after hysterectomy can be a concern for patients, and research remains inconclusive about changes in sexual function associated with hysterectomy.
AIM
We meta-analyzed studies on change in sexual function from pre- to posthysterectomy and the role of total vs subtotal hysterectomy and concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) in differences in such change.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from inception to January 2022. Two reviewers screened and included studies if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal and reported on sexual function pre- and posthysterectomy for benign nonprolapse indication. Methodological quality was assessed with the STROBE checklist. We used random effects multilevel models to meta-analyze standardized mean differences in pre- to postoperative sexual function and the posthysterectomy Female Sexual Function Index mean across study groups in R (RStudio).
OUTCOMES
Outcomes included overall sexual function, dyspareunia, desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm.
RESULTS
Thirty-two articles were analyzed: 8 randomized controlled trials, 20 prospective studies, 2 retrospective studies, 1 cross-sectional study, and 1 secondary analysis, comprising a total of 4054 patients. Each study provided data for at least 1 outcome. Study quality was moderate, and effect sizes showed large between-study heterogeneity. Hysterectomy was not associated with significant change in overall sexual function irrespective of surgical route, with patients tending to report potentially remaining sexual dysfunction posthysterectomy. Cervix removal was not significantly associated with differences in magnitude of change. Hysterectomy without BSO was associated with significantly stronger improvement in lubrication and orgasm than hysterectomy with BSO, which was not the case for desire, arousal or overall sexual function. However, these significant differences were not replicated within studies that directly compared cases with and without BSO.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Clinicians should address remaining sexual dysfunction posthysterectomy, and BSO should not be considered if not medically required.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
We analyzed a comprehensive number of trials and studied clinically relevant factors that might relate to differences in change in sexual function. Conclusions need to be interpreted with caution since many studies showed moderate methodological quality and large effect size heterogeneity.
CONCLUSION
Subtotal and total hysterectomy was not associated with significant change in overall sexual function irrespective of surgical route, with patients tending to report potentially remaining sexual dysfunction posthysterectomy. Hysterectomy without BSO was associated with significantly stronger improvement in lubrication and orgasm than hysterectomy with BSO. Future research on hysterectomy should analyze predictors of sexual function change trajectories, such as different indications.
Topics: Female; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hysterectomy; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36857309
DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdac051 -
Neurosurgical Review Nov 2023Neurosurgical pathologies in pregnancy pose significant complications for the patient and fetus, and physiological stressors during anesthesia and surgery may lead to... (Review)
Review
Neurosurgical pathologies in pregnancy pose significant complications for the patient and fetus, and physiological stressors during anesthesia and surgery may lead to maternal and fetal complications. Awake craniotomy (AC) can preserve neurological functions while reducing exposure to anesthetic medications. We reviewed the literature investigating AC during pregnancy. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from the inception to February 7th, 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Studies in English investigating AC in pregnant patients were included in the final analysis. Nine studies composed of nine pregnant patients and ten fetuses (one twin-gestating patient) were included. Glioma was the most common pathology reported in six (66.7%) patients. The frontal lobe was the most involved region (4 cases, 44.4%), followed by the frontoparietal region (2 cases, 22.2%). The awake-awake-awake approach was the most common protocol in seven (77.8%) studies. The shortest operation time was two hours, whereas the longest one was eight hours and 29 min. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 13.6 ± 6.5 (2-22) and 19.6 ± 6.9 (9-30) weeks at craniotomy. Seven (77.8%) studies employed intraoperative fetal heart rate monitoring. None of the AC procedures was converted to general anesthesia. Ten healthy babies were delivered from patients who underwent AC. In experienced hands, AC for resection of cranial lesions of eloquent areas in pregnant patients is safe and feasible and does not alter the pregnancy outcome.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Brain Neoplasms; Wakefulness; Craniotomy; Glioma; Anesthesia, General
PubMed: 37910275
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02187-x -
The European Journal of Neuroscience May 2022The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a sexually dimorphic, neuropeptide-rich node of the extended amygdala that has been implicated in responses to stress,... (Review)
Review
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a sexually dimorphic, neuropeptide-rich node of the extended amygdala that has been implicated in responses to stress, drugs of abuse, and natural rewards. Its function is dysregulated in neuropsychiatric disorders that are characterized by stress- or drug-induced alterations in mood, arousal, motivation, and social behavior. However, compared to the BNST's role in mood, arousal, and motivation, its role in social behavior has remained relatively understudied. Moreover, the precise cell types and circuits underlying the BNST's role in social behavior have only recently begun to be explored using modern neuroscience techniques. Here, we systematically review the existing literature investigating the neurobiological substrates within the BNST that contribute to the coordination of various sex-dependent and sex-independent social behavioral repertoires, focusing largely on pharmacological and circuit-based behavioral studies in rodents. We suggest that the BNST coordinates social behavior by promoting appropriate assessment of social contexts to select relevant behavioral outputs and that disruption of socially relevant BNST systems by stress and drugs of abuse may be an important factor in the development of social dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Topics: Amygdala; Neuropeptides; Septal Nuclei; Social Behavior
PubMed: 33006806
DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14991 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria May 2022Sleep is a special physiological state that occurs cyclically. The probable role of sleep in our organic functions remains to be explored to clarify the impact of sleep...
BACKGROUND
Sleep is a special physiological state that occurs cyclically. The probable role of sleep in our organic functions remains to be explored to clarify the impact of sleep on brain functions. Sleep deprivation is known to affect all parts of the brain separately and independently, but further research is needed on the impact of sleep disorders on attention, particularly the specific types of attention that are most affected, and whether there is such a correlation.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review of the possible correlation between sleep disorders and attentional performance.
METHODS
A systematic review and search at PubMed, SciELO, and Cochrane scientific databases for articles published in the last 10 years was carried out using the following keywords: sleep, attention, and attentional performance. Inclusion criteria were the use of attention tests and sleep disorders. Of the 1398 articles found, 15 were selected and included in this review.
RESULTS
The number of publications evaluating sleep and sleep disorders has increased, but is still limited. Of all the functions normally assessed, patients with sleep disorders perform worse on attention tasks, especially with sustained attention. However, these data require further investigation due to the complexity and diversity of the disorders, the small sample size of the included studies, and the fact that few studies used standardized tests.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that the correlation between sleep and attention is strong but limited. Few studies are devoted exclusively to the extent to which sleep disorders interferes with attention.
Topics: Attention; Brain; Humans; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 35476076
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2021-0182 -
Neuromodulation : Journal of the... Oct 2023This study aims to describe the state of literature regarding the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during spinal cord stimulator surgery. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to describe the state of literature regarding the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during spinal cord stimulator surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review of the use of IONM during spinal cord stimulation (SCS) surgery was performed using the following three data bases: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase. Research techniques included systematic research following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol by Cochrane, and backward searching. Qualitative analysis of included articles was performed using the methodologic index for nonrandomized studies assessment tool. Direction of effect, consistency across studies, and cost-effectiveness were narratively synthesized.
RESULTS
A total of 15 records were identified through data base searching. All records used IONM methods under general anesthesia for guidance of epidural lead placement. IONM techniques used for determining lateralization in the found articles were compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) (n = 8), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) (n = 3) or both (n = 4). Motor evoked potentials were used in three trials for neuroprotection purposes. Two studies were comparative, and 12 were noncomparative.
CONCLUSIONS
We found a good body of level II evidence that using IONM during SCS surgery is a valid alternative to awake surgery and may even be superior regarding pain management, cost-effectiveness, and postoperative neurologic deficits. In direct comparison, the found evidence suggested using CMAP provided more consistently favorable results than using SSEP for midline placement of epidural leads under general anesthesia. Selection of IONM modality should be made on the basis of pathophysiology of disease, individual IONM experience, and the individual patient.
Topics: Humans; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring; Spinal Cord Stimulation; Brain Neoplasms; Wakefulness; Neurosurgical Procedures; Evoked Potentials, Motor; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37802585
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.06.010 -
Journal of Neurology Mar 2023Changes in the cognitive function of patients with restless legs syndrome is a growing area of research. Although several studies have been performed to investigate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Changes in the cognitive function of patients with restless legs syndrome is a growing area of research. Although several studies have been performed to investigate the association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and cognitive function, the outcomes are still controversial. The meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between RLS and cognition, including global cognition and various cognitive domains including memory, attention, executive function, and spatial cognition.
METHODS
We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from inception to November 2022 to screen eligible records. The means and standard deviations of cognitive test scores were obtained to calculate the standard mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 1437 records were collected from the initial search and 16 records involving 4635 individuals were ultimately included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Our data suggest negative associations between RLS and global cognition (SMD, - 0.42; 95% CI - 0.72 to - 0.11; I = 76.6%) and attention (SMD, - 0.43; 95% CI - 0.73 to - 0.12; I = 85.3%). No significant differences in memory (SMD, - 0.01; 95% CI - 0.31 to 0.28; I = 68.0%), executive function (SMD, - 0.10; 95% CI, - 0.30 to 0.11; I = 52.1%), or spatial cognition (SMD, - 0.17; 95% CI - 0.38 to 0.03; I = 58.5%) were observed between the RLS and control groups. Moreover, the strength of the results was modified by age but not by sex or region.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that RLS is negatively correlated with cognitive function, particularly global cognition and attention. However, the causal relationship, considering more confounders, is worthy of further exploration.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Restless Legs Syndrome; Cognition; Executive Function; Attention
PubMed: 36472687
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11484-2