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Neuropsychology Review Sep 2022Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) are increasingly utilized to improve mental health. Interest in the putative effects of MBPs on cognitive function is also growing.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) are increasingly utilized to improve mental health. Interest in the putative effects of MBPs on cognitive function is also growing. This is the first meta-analysis of objective cognitive outcomes across multiple domains from randomized MBP studies of adults. Seven databases were systematically searched to January 2020. Fifty-six unique studies (n = 2,931) were included, of which 45 (n = 2,238) were synthesized using robust variance estimation meta-analysis. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses evaluated moderators. Pooling data across cognitive domains, the summary effect size for all studies favored MBPs over comparators and was small in magnitude (g = 0.15; [0.05, 0.24]). Across subgroup analyses of individual cognitive domains/subdomains, MBPs outperformed comparators for executive function (g = 0.15; [0.02, 0.27]) and working memory outcomes (g = 0.23; [0.11, 0.36]) only. Subgroup analyses identified significant effects for studies of non-clinical samples, as well as for adults aged over 60. Across all studies, MBPs outperformed inactive, but not active comparators. Limitations include the primarily unclear within-study risk of bias (only a minority of studies were considered low risk), and that statistical constraints rendered some p-values unreliable. Together, results partially corroborate the hypothesized link between mindfulness practices and cognitive performance. This review was registered with PROSPERO [CRD42018100904].
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cognition; Executive Function; Humans; Memory, Short-Term; Middle Aged; Mindfulness
PubMed: 34350544
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-021-09519-y -
Neural Plasticity 2020Physical exercise (PE) has been associated with increase neuroplasticity, neurotrophic factors, and improvements in brain function.
BACKGROUND
Physical exercise (PE) has been associated with increase neuroplasticity, neurotrophic factors, and improvements in brain function.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of different PE protocols on neuroplasticity components and brain function in a human and animal model.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review process from November 2019 to January 2020 of the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus. A keyword combination referring to PE and neuroplasticity was included as part of a more thorough search process. From an initial number of 20,782 original articles, after reading the titles and abstracts, twenty-one original articles were included. Two investigators evaluated the abstract, the data of the study, the design, the sample size, the participant characteristics, and the PE protocol.
RESULTS
PE increases neuroplasticity via neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, and NGF) and receptor (TrkB and P75NTR) production providing improvements in neuroplasticity, and cognitive function (learning and memory) in human and animal models.
CONCLUSION
PE was effective for increasing the production of neurotrophic factors, cell growth, and proliferation, as well as for improving brain functionality.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cognition; Exercise; Humans; Learning; Memory; Neuronal Plasticity
PubMed: 33414823
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8856621 -
East Asian Archives of Psychiatry :... Jun 2020Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) has harmful effects on physical and mental health and quality of life. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a treatment... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) has harmful effects on physical and mental health and quality of life. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a treatment option for GAD. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness of MBCT on GAD.
METHODS
Two authors independently performed the eligibility, quality assessment, and data extraction processes, and consensus was reached in case of discrepancies. Electronic databases were searched for eligible studies (randomised controlled trials, randomised trials, cluster randomised controlled trials, and clinical trials) up to November 2018 using keywords: mindfulness-based cognitive therapy OR mindfulness based cognitive therapy OR MBCT AND general anxiety disorder OR GAD*. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the revised Jadad scale. Cohen's formula was used to determine the effect size based on the mean and standard deviation of the changes in the study groups before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
Six studies that compared the effectiveness between MBCT and controls were included for analysis. The mean revised Jadad score of the six studies was 4.3 (range, 3-6). The overall mean effect size was -0.65. The funnel plot of effect sizes in relation to the effect size standard error showed a symmetrical distribution. Compared with controls, MBCT significantly improved the treatment outcome of GAD in all studies, except one.
CONCLUSION
MBCT was effective for treating GAD.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Humans; Mindfulness
PubMed: 32611828
DOI: 10.12809/eaap1885 -
Asian Journal of Psychiatry Sep 2023Although front-line doctors recommend medications, this kind of treatment has limited efficacy in improving executive functions (EFs) in children and adolescents with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Although front-line doctors recommend medications, this kind of treatment has limited efficacy in improving executive functions (EFs) in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study explored the effects of non-pharmacological intervention on EFs in children and adolescents with ADHD.
METHODS
In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses guidelines, we searched seven electronic databases: APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, EMBASE, ERIC, Medline, Pubmed, and Web of Science, from inception to March 2022. Two authors independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed bias risk using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Our analyses included randomized controlled trials and non-randomized comparison studies of non-pharmacological interventions and assessed EFs through neurocognitive tasks in children and adolescents between 5 and 18 years.
RESULTS
Sixty-seven studies with 3147 participants met the inclusion criteria. The final meta-analysis included 74 independent interventions categorized into six categories: cognitive training, EF-specific curriculum, game-based training, mindfulness practice, neurofeedback training, and physical exercise. Overall, non-pharmacological interventions (combined) produced significant moderate to large effects on overall EFs in children and adolescents with ADHD (g=0.673). Physical exercise had a large positive effect on domain-specific EFs, including inhibitory control (g=0.900) and cognitive flexibility (g=1.377). Cognitive training had a large training effect on working memory (g=0.907), and an EF-specific curriculum had a small to moderate beneficial effect on planning performance (g=0.532).
CONCLUSION
Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly physical exercise, cognitive training, and an EF-specific curriculum, appear to have beneficial effects on EFs in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Executive Function; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Memory, Short-Term
PubMed: 37450981
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103692 -
Revista Medica de Chile Dec 2019Aging constitutes a series of physical, physiological and cognitive changes, affecting independence in the activities of daily living. During this stage,...
Aging constitutes a series of physical, physiological and cognitive changes, affecting independence in the activities of daily living. During this stage, neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment are common. Cognitive Reserve allows to face neuropathological changes and maintain cognitive function in the presence of brain damage. However, there are cases where a high cognitive reserve fails to attenuate and delay the effects of neuropathology, allowing the progression of cognitive damage to advanced stages. The objective of this systematic review is to identify evidence where high cognitive reserve does not limit the effects of cognitive impairment. Results indicate that the protective effect of cognitive reserve occurs only in the presence of minimal cognitive impairment, but not at later stages.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognitive Reserve; Disease Progression; Humans
PubMed: 33660743
DOI: 10.4067/S0034-98872019001201594 -
L'Encephale Apr 2022This study aimed to update the scientific knowledge concerning the relationship between the use of social networking sites and body image among adolescents.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to update the scientific knowledge concerning the relationship between the use of social networking sites and body image among adolescents.
METHODS
A preregistered systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and allowed to include 30 peer-reviewed articles for qualitative analysis, consisting of 26 unique samples (n=31,331; M=14.89; SD=1.07). The search was conducted on Pubmed, PsychInfo and Scopus focusing on studies that included any social network site use and body image measures while being based on general population adolescent samples. Social networking site use referred: 1) to any online activities such as browsing, posting, editing selfies, liking, commenting; 2) to any exposure to appearance-related content; or 3) to a measure of frequency use. The scope of social networking sites considered in the present review was extended to online video-sharing platforms and online dating applications due to their relationship with appearance. Body image as considered through MeSH terms referred to a wide range of possible outcomes including body and facial dissatisfaction, dysmorphophobia, body surveillance, self-objectification, body shame, weight concerns, self-monitoring. Any mental health outcome was extracted when available although its absence was not an exclusion criterion..
RESULTS
Among the 30 studies included in the review, 22 were cross-sectional, seven were longitudinal and one had an experimental design. Overall, among studies based on unique samples, 18 studies included both males and females (n=28,081; M 14.84; SD=1.06), seven were based exclusively on female samples (n=2,507; M 14.87; SD=1.19), while one study recruited only male adolescents (n=743; M 15.90; SD=0.54). Only six studies were based on representative samples. These studies reported a robust association between frequency of social networking site use and negative body image among both females and males. In addition, exposure to appearance-related content was also deleterious to body image. The association between the use of social media and negative body image may involve negative mental health outcomes, such as depressive symptoms, low body esteem and problematic use of social media. Measuring specific activities on social network sites or exposure to appearance-related content (e.g. selfies editing; selfies posting) may be more accurate than using a frequency of overall use (e.g. during the past month) when predicting body image. Studies addressing underlying processes supported that the relationship between use of social media and body image may not be direct but rather involve intermediary steps on both cognitive and social levels, namely internalization of the thin ideal, self-objectification, peer appearance-related feedback, ascendant social comparison with peers and celebrities. Also, it remains unclear whether mental health mediates this relationship.
CONCLUSIONS
The association between the use of social networking sites and negative body image is robustly supported in the literature. However, studies measuring frequency of overall use may instead be predicting negative body image with a nested measure of the use of social network sites, namely specific activities involving appearance-related content. Due to the observed discrepancies between self-reported frequency of social networking site use and actual use in methodological literature, future research may rather measure behaviors commonly encountered on a given platform. Furthermore, there is a need to distinguish specific site categories such as highly visual social media when focusing on body image outcomes. . Focusing on specific social media platforms may in turn lead to more targeted prevention regarding a safe utilization of social networking sites among adolescents. Despite the growing body of research concerning the association between social media and body image, the current review underlines that additional longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to investigate potential bidirectional effects, as well as studies based on representative samples to improve generalization to adolescent populations.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Dysmorphic Disorders; Body Image; Female; Humans; Male; Peer Group; Social Media; Social Networking
PubMed: 34801229
DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2021.08.006 -
Clinical Neurophysiology : Official... Nov 2022Although relatively costly and non-scalable, non-invasive neuromodulation interventions are treatment alternatives for neuropsychiatric disorders. The recent...
OBJECTIVE
Although relatively costly and non-scalable, non-invasive neuromodulation interventions are treatment alternatives for neuropsychiatric disorders. The recent developments of highly-deployable transcranial electric stimulation (tES) systems, combined with mobile-Health technologies, could be incorporated in digital trials to overcome methodological barriers and increase equity of access. The study aims are to discuss the implementation of tES digital trials by performing a systematic scoping review and strategic process mapping, evaluate methodological aspects of tES digital trial designs, and provide Delphi-based recommendations for implementing digital trials using tES.
METHODS
We convened 61 highly-productive specialists and contacted 8 tES companies to assess 71 issues related to tES digitalization readiness, and processes, barriers, advantages, and opportunities for implementing tES digital trials. Delphi-based recommendations (>60% agreement) were provided.
RESULTS
The main strengths/opportunities of tES were: (i) non-pharmacological nature (92% of agreement), safety of these techniques (80%), affordability (88%), and potential scalability (78%). As for weaknesses/threats, we listed insufficient supervision (76%) and unclear regulatory status (69%). Many issues related to methodological biases did not reach consensus. Device appraisal showed moderate digitalization readiness, with high safety and potential for trial implementation, but low connectivity.
CONCLUSIONS
Panelists recognized the potential of tES for scalability, generalizability, and leverage of digital trials processes; with no consensus about aspects regarding methodological biases.
SIGNIFICANCE
We further propose and discuss a conceptual framework for exploiting shared aspects between mobile-Health tES technologies with digital trials methodology to drive future efforts for digitizing tES trials.
Topics: Consensus; Electric Stimulation; Humans; Telemedicine; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
PubMed: 36115809
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.08.018 -
Psychological Review Nov 2023Affective experiences are commonly represented by either transient emotional reactions to discrete events or longer term, sustained mood states that are characterized by...
Affective experiences are commonly represented by either transient emotional reactions to discrete events or longer term, sustained mood states that are characterized by a more diffuse and global nature. While both have considerable influence in shaping memory, their interaction can produce mood-congruent memory (MCM), a psychological phenomenon where emotional memory is biased toward content affectively congruent with a past or current mood. The study of MCM has direct implications for understanding how memory biases form in daily life, as well as debilitating negative memory schemas that contribute to mood disorders such as depression. To elucidate the factors that influence the presence and strength of MCM, here we systematically review the literature for studies that assessed MCM by inducing mood in healthy participants. We observe that MCM is often reported as enhanced accuracy for previously encoded mood-congruent content or preferential recall for mood-congruent autobiographical events, but may also manifest as false memory for mood-congruent lures. We discuss the relevant conditions that shape these effects, as well as instances of mood-incongruent recall that facilitate mood repair. Further, we provide guiding methodological and theoretical considerations, emphasizing the limited neuroimaging research in this area and the need for a renewed focus on memory consolidation. Accordingly, we propose a theoretical framework for studying the neural basis of MCM based on the neurobiological underpinnings of mood and emotion. In doing so, we review evidence for associative network models of spreading activation, while also considering alternative models informed by the cognitive neuroscience literature of emotional memory bias. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Affect; Emotions; Mental Recall; Memory; Cognition
PubMed: 36201828
DOI: 10.1037/rev0000394 -
The Clinical Neuropsychologist Nov 2022Confabulations are false memories which are expressedwithout the intention to deceive and arise following brain damage or psychological dysfunction. Confabulations can... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Confabulations are false memories which are expressedwithout the intention to deceive and arise following brain damage or psychological dysfunction. Confabulations can become a barrier to effective neuropsychological rehabilitation and consequently, intervention is required.The current review aimed to provide a detailed evaluative account of existing interventions for confabulation and their relative effectiveness.
METHOD
The search process found 11 studies conducive with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A methodological quality assessment was then carried out and the majority of included studies demonstrated poor methodological quality.
RESULTS
Ten types of interventions were identified and the majority of theseled to a reduction or elimination of confabulations.
CONCLUSION
Since methodological quality of many included studies was deemed unsatisfactory, further large-scale experimental research and standardised measures are necessary to adequately compare the relative effectiveness of these interventions. Further research and clinical implications are also highlighted.
Topics: Humans; Neuropsychological Tests; Memory Disorders; Memory; Mental Disorders; Brain Injuries
PubMed: 34289780
DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1948612 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Feb 2022To evaluate which early neurocognitive and behavioral precursors are associated with the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and whether these... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate which early neurocognitive and behavioral precursors are associated with the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and whether these are currently targeted in early interventions.
METHOD
We conducted 2 systematic reviews and meta-analyses of empirical studies to examine the following: (1) early-life (0-5 years) neurocognitive and behavioral precursors associated with familial likelihood for ADHD, an early ADHD diagnosis/elevated ADHD symptoms, and/or the presence of later-childhood ADHD; and (2) interventions delivered to children aged 0 to 5 years targeting the identified precursors or measuring these as outcomes. Standardized mean differences (Hedges' g) and pre-post-treatment change scores (SMD) were computed.
RESULTS
A total of 149 studies (165,095 participants) investigating 8 neurocognitive and behavioral domains met inclusion criteria for part 1. Multi-level random-effects meta-analyses on 136 studies revealed significant associations between ADHD and poorer cognitive (g = -0.46 [95% CIs: -0.59, -0.33]), motor (g = -0.35 [CIs: -0.48, -0.21]) and language (g = -0.43 [CIs: -0.66, -0.19]) development, social (g = 0.23 [CIs: 0.03, 0.43]) and emotional (g = 0.46 [CIs: 0.33, 0.58]) difficulties, early regulatory (g = 0.30 [CIs: 0.18, 0.43]) and sleep (g = 0.29 [CIs: 0.14, 0.44]) problems, sensory atypicalities (g = 0.52 [CIs: 0.16, 0.88]), elevated activity levels (g = 0.54 [CIs: 0.37, 0.72]), and executive function difficulties (g = 0.34 [CIs: 0.05, 0.64] to -0.87 [CIs: -1.35, -0.40]). A total of 32 trials (28 randomized, 4 nonrandomized, 3,848 participants) testing early interventions that targeted the identified precursors met inclusion criteria for part 2. Multi-level random-effects meta-analyses on 22 studies revealed significant intervention-related improvements in ADHD symptoms (SMD = 0.43 [CIs: 0.22, 0.64]) and working memory (SMD = 0.37 [CIs: 0.06, 0.69]).
CONCLUSION
Children aged 0 to 5 years with current or later-emerging ADHD are likely to experience difficulties in multiple neurocognitive/behavioral functions. Early interventions show some effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms, but their effects on neurocognitive/behavioral difficulties require further study.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Child, Preschool; Executive Function; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Memory, Short-Term
PubMed: 33864938
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2021.03.016