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Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause such complications as post-COVID-19 syndrome, which includes chronic fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, as well as a variety of neurological...
SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause such complications as post-COVID-19 syndrome, which includes chronic fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, as well as a variety of neurological manifestations, e.g., neuropathy of small fibers, hearing and vestibular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. This clinical case describes a 41-year-old patient suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. A detailed examination was performed, including an in-depth study of peripheral and central hearing and vestibular functions, as well as small nerve fibers length and density in the skin and cornea of the eye. Contrary to expectations, no peripheral nervous system dysfunction was detected, despite the presence of dizziness and gait instability in the patient. Hearing tests (gap detection test and dichotic test) showed central auditory processing disorders. The evaluated lesion in the processing of temporal and verbal auditory information can be a significant factor contributing to additional overload of the neural activity and leading to chronic fatigue when performing daily activities in patients with CFS and post-COVID-19 complications.
PubMed: 36611414
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010122 -
Audiology Research Dec 2022Audiovestibular symptoms during the acute phase of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have been reported for earlier waves of the pandemic, while no studies...
Audiovestibular symptoms during the acute phase of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have been reported for earlier waves of the pandemic, while no studies investigated nor compared audiovestibular manifestations during subsequent waves of COVID-19. In the current study, we aimed to compare the occurrence of audiovestibular symptoms associated with COVID-19 between the alpha/beta, delta, and omicron variants. An online questionnaire was distributed to individuals with confirmed test results for COVID-19. We asked participants to report whether they experienced audiovestibular symptoms during the acute phase of the disease. The study included 939 participants; 120 un-infected controls and infected participants during alpha/beta (n = 301), delta (n = 102), and omicron (n = 416) predominance periods. Self-reported audiovestibular symptoms were found to be statistically significantly different between un-infected controls and COVID-19 infected individuals in all analyzed variants. Furthermore, our results showed no significant differences in audiovestibular symptoms among individuals infected during alpha/beta, delta, and omicron waves. Although individuals infected during the delta variant predominance period reported higher percentages of audiovestibular symptoms (ranging from 11.8% to 26.5% for auditory symptoms and from 12.7% to 34.3% for vestibular symptoms) than for the alpha/beta (ranging from 6.3% to 18.9% for auditory symptoms and 8.3% to 29.9% for vestibular symptoms) and omicron (ranging from 9.6% to 21.2% for auditory and 12.5 to 29.1% for vestibular symptoms) variants, this did not achieve statistical significance. With regards to auditory symptoms, the most commonly reported symptoms were aural fullness followed by hearing loss and tinnitus. With regards to vestibular symptoms, dizziness was the most commonly reported symptom followed by vertigo and unsteadiness. Logistic regression revealed that experiencing auditory symptoms were associated with other neurological symptoms, back and joint pain, and chest pain as COVID-19 symptoms. Vestibular symptoms were associated with anemia, gender, fatigue, headache, and breathing difficulties. In conclusion, our study shows that audiovestibular symptoms are common during the acute phase of early and late COVID-19 variants with no significant differences between them.
PubMed: 36546906
DOI: 10.3390/audiolres12060065 -
Audiology & Neuro-otology 2023Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a viral infection with a wide variety of symptoms, including fever, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, and a...
INTRODUCTION
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a viral infection with a wide variety of symptoms, including fever, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, and a loss of taste and smell. Moreover, there are some recent studies that investigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on hearing and auditory performance. With this current study, we investigate the early effects of the coronavirus disease on hair cells in the cochlea.
METHODS
In the current study, there were 25 subjects (17 females, 8 males) who tested positive for polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swabs. They had reported normal auditory functions and no history of otology before SARS-CoV-2. To determine auditory functions, pure-tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAE) tests, and threshold equalizing noise (TEN) tests were used.
RESULTS
Although the hearing thresholds increased at higher frequencies, they were within normal limits according to four-frequency pure-tone averages. All participants had normal OAE, and there were no detected dead regions for any of the subjects. Even so, there were significant increases in hearing thresholds in TEN.
CONCLUSION
There is no cochlear dysfunction discovered by OAE and TEN in SARS-CoV-2-affected individuals. Nonetheless, the increase in hearing thresholds at higher frequencies, other than the pure-tone average frequencies detected by TEN, and the decrease in the presence of detected OAE could be related to deterioration in the basal part of the cochlea.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adult; SARS-CoV-2; Auditory Threshold; COVID-19; Cochlea; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous
PubMed: 36516739
DOI: 10.1159/000527811 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Sleep continuity and efficacy are essential for optimal cognitive functions. How sleep fragmentation (SF) impairs cognitive functioning, and especially cognitive fatigue...
Sleep continuity and efficacy are essential for optimal cognitive functions. How sleep fragmentation (SF) impairs cognitive functioning, and especially cognitive fatigue (CF), remains elusive. We investigated the impact of induced SF on CF through the TloadDback task, measuring interindividual variability in working memory capacity. Sixteen participants underwent an adaptation polysomnography night and three consecutive nights, once in a SF condition induced by non-awakening auditory stimulations, once under restorative sleep (RS) condition, counterbalanced within-subject. In both conditions, participants were administered memory, vigilance, inhibition and verbal fluency testing, and for CF the TloadDback, as well as sleep questionnaires and fatigue and sleepiness visual analog scales were administered. Subjective fatigue increased and sleep architecture was altered after SF (reduced sleep efficiency, percentage of N3 and REM, number of NREM and REM phases) despite similar total sleep time. At the behavioral level, only inhibition deteriorated after SF, and CF similarly evolved in RS and SF conditions. In line with prior research, we show that SF disrupts sleep architecture and exerts a deleterious impact on subjective fatigue and inhibition. However, young healthy participants appear able to compensate for CF induced by three consecutive SF nights. Further studies should investigate SF effects in extended and/or pathological disruption settings.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Deprivation; Cognition; Wakefulness; Sleep; Polysomnography
PubMed: 36497559
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315485 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2022Mental fatigue (MF) jeopardizes performance and safety through a variety of cognitive impairments and according to the complexity loss theory, should represent...
Mental fatigue (MF) jeopardizes performance and safety through a variety of cognitive impairments and according to the complexity loss theory, should represent "complexity loss" in electroencephalogram (EEG). However, the studies are few and inconsistent concerning the relationship between MF and loss of complexity, probably because of the susceptibility of brain waves to noise. In this study, MF was induced in thirteen male college students by a simulated flight task. Before and at the end of the task, spontaneous EEG and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) were recorded and instantaneous frequency variation (IFV) in alpha rhythm was extracted and analyzed by multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis. The results show that there were significant differences in IFV in alpha rhythm either from spontaneous EEG or from ASSR for all subjects. Therefore, the proposed method can be effective in revealing the complexity loss caused by MF in spontaneous EEG and ASSR, which may serve as a promising analyzing method to mark mild mental impairments.
PubMed: 36393985
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.906735 -
Autism & Developmental Language... 2022Humans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Humans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical sensory reactivity and social communication difficulties are pervasive, yet the research literature lacks in-depth self-report data on speech perception in this population. The present study aimed to elicit detailed first-person accounts of autistic individuals' abilities and difficulties perceiving the spoken word.
METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic adults. The interview schedule addressed interviewees' experiences of speech perception, factors influencing those experiences, and responses to those experiences. Resulting interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The six-person study team included two autistic researchers, to reduce risk of neurotypical 'overshadowing' of autistic voices.
RESULTS
Most interviewees reported pronounced difficulties perceiving speech in the presence of competing sounds. They emphasised that such listening difficulties are distinct from social difficulties, though the two can add and interact. Difficulties were of several varieties, ranging from powerful auditory distraction to drowning out of voices by continuous sounds. Contributing factors encompassed not only features of the soundscape but also non-acoustic factors such as multisensory processing and social cognition. Participants also identified compounding factors, such as lack of understanding of listening difficulties. Impacts were diverse and sometimes disabling, affecting socialising, emotions, fatigue, career, and self-image. A wide array of coping mechanisms was described.
CONCLUSIONS
The first in-depth qualitative investigation of autistic speech-perception experiences has revealed diverse and widespread listening difficulties. These can combine with other internal, interpersonal, and societal factors to induce profound impacts. Lack of understanding of such listening difficulties - by the self, by communication partners, by institutions, and especially by clinicians - appears to be a crucial exacerbating factor. Many autistic adults have developed coping strategies to lessen speech-perception difficulties or mitigate their effects, and these are generally self-taught due to lack of clinical support.
IMPLICATIONS
There is a need for carefully designed, adequately powered confirmatory research to verify, quantify, and disentangle the various forms of listening difficulty, preferably using large samples to explore heterogeneity. More immediate benefit might be obtained through development of self-help and clinical guidance materials, and by raising awareness of autistic listening experiences and needs, among the autistic community, communication partners, institutions, and clinicians.
PubMed: 36382084
DOI: 10.1177/23969415221077532 -
Frontiers in Digital Health 2022Computerised cognitive trainings have been put forward to improve control over negatively biased information processing and associated depressive symptomatology. Yet,...
OBJECTIVE
Computerised cognitive trainings have been put forward to improve control over negatively biased information processing and associated depressive symptomatology. Yet, disease-related impairments of motivation and endurance, as well as insufficient accessibility hinder use of this promising therapeutic opportunity. Here, we developed an app ( ) that utilizes a cognitive control training (paced auditory serial addition task) enriched with gamification and information elements. We compared a six-week training with to a non-gamified version (active control group).
METHODS
Thirty-two depressed participants were included. Each received either or the non-gamified version and was instructed to train three times per week for two weeks. Afterwards (four weeks) they were free to train at their own discretion. Depression severity was assessed during training and two follow-up sessions. Primary endpoint was defined as difference between groups [change of Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)] four weeks after end of training.
RESULTS
Depression severity decreased in both groups. At primary endpoint, MADRS scores were significantly lower in the -group compared to the control group. No differences were observed at three months' follow-up. Intervention usability was consistently rated positively. Participants who had trained with maintained the recommended training frequency without further prompting. Besides transient fatigue or frustration, no adverse effects were observed.
CONCLUSION
This pilot demonstrates that gamification and information elements can substantially increase cognitive control training efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms. Moreover, it provides first evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of as an add-on intervention to treat depression.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04400162.
PubMed: 36339520
DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.994484 -
African Journal of Disability 2022This research investigated the phenomenon of learners with cochlear implants and their challenges with cognitive effort in private mainstream schools in Gauteng. Many...
BACKGROUND
This research investigated the phenomenon of learners with cochlear implants and their challenges with cognitive effort in private mainstream schools in Gauteng. Many learners with cochlear implants encounter academic and social challenges at school, despite the advanced technology.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to explore how learners with cochlear implants experience cognitive effort and whether it impacts their academic potential.
METHODS
Research was conducted using a phenomenological design. Phenomenography was used as theoretical framework to perceive, interpret and understand experiences of the cochlear implant recipients. The six former learners who were recipients of cochlear implants were selected using purposive sampling. Semistructured interviews were utilised to gather information, which was analysed using thematic content analysis.
RESULTS
Five themes emerged from the analysis, namely auditory challenges, cognitive functioning, peer interactions, emotional health and concealed disability. This article only presents the first theme of cognitive functioning and highlights three subthemes related to cognitive effort. Findings show that many learners struggled with their concentration span and fatigue, as a result of their cognitive effort difficulties.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated how learners with cochlear implants face challenges with cognitive effort at their mainstream schools. It indicates the need for awareness of and training on educating learners with cochlear implants to help them reach their academic potential.
CONTRIBUTION
This study contributes a unique focus on learners with cochlear implants in mainstream schools in South Africa. The study highlights that cognitive effort of learners with cochlear implants influenced their capabilities to multitask and retain information, despite the effort they have to put into listening. Further research should be conducted to develop interventions that could lesson cognitive effort while increasing learner productivity. The article responds to disability studies and inclusive education.
PubMed: 36338869
DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v11i0.886 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2022To further develop three-dimensional (3D) applications, it is important to elucidate the negative effects of 3D applications on the human body and mind. Thus, this study...
To further develop three-dimensional (3D) applications, it is important to elucidate the negative effects of 3D applications on the human body and mind. Thus, this study investigated differences in the effects of visual fatigue on cognition and brain activity using visual and auditory tasks induced by watching a 1-h movie in two dimensions (2D) and 3D. Eighteen young men participated in this study. Two conditions were randomly performed for each participant on different days, namely, watching the 1-h movie on television in 2D (control condition) and 3D (3D condition). Before and after watching the 1-h movie on television, critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF: an index of visual fatigue), and response accuracy and reaction time for the cognitive tasks were determined. Brain activity during the cognitive tasks was evaluated using a multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy system. In contrast to the control condition, the decreased CFF, and the lengthened reaction time and the decreased activity around the right primary somatosensory cortex during Go/NoGo blocks in the visual task at post-viewing in the 3D condition were significant, with significant repeated measures correlations among them. Meanwhile, in the auditory task, the changes in cognitive performance and brain activity during the Go/NoGo blocks were not significant in the 3D condition. These results suggest that the failure or delay in the transmission of visual information to the primary somatosensory cortex due to visual fatigue induced by watching a 3D movie reduced the brain activity around the primary somatosensory cortex, resulting in poor cognitive performance for the visual task. This suggests that performing tasks that require visual information, such as running in the dark or driving a car, immediately after using a 3D application, may create unexpected risks in our lives. Thus, the findings of this study will help outlining precautions for the use of 3D applications.
PubMed: 36337858
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.974406 -
Journal of Medical Systems Oct 2022The design of medical alarms has been heavily criticized in the past decade. Auditory medical alarms have poor learnability, discernibility, and relevance, leading to...
The design of medical alarms has been heavily criticized in the past decade. Auditory medical alarms have poor learnability, discernibility, and relevance, leading to poor patient outcomes, and alarm fatigue, and overall poor informatic system design. We developed a novel trimodal patient monitoring smartwatch application for patient monitoring. Participants completed two phases: (1) control and (2) our novel trimodal system while identifying alarms (heart rate, oxygenation, and blood pressure) and completing a cognitively demanding task. Alarms were auditory icons presented as either solo or co-alarms. Participant performance was assessed by accuracy and response time (RT) of alarm identification. Using the novel system, accuracy was significantly improved overall (p < 0.01) and in co-alarm situations (p < 0.01), but not for solo alarms (p = 0.484). RT was also significantly faster (p < 0.01) while using the novel system for all alarm types. Participants reported decreased mental workload using the novel system. This feasibility study shows that our novel alarm system performs better than current standards. Improvements in accuracy, RT and perceived mental workload indicate the potential of this system to have a positive impact on medical informatic systems and clinical monitoring, for both the patient and the clinician.
Topics: Humans; Clinical Alarms; Monitoring, Physiologic; Workload
PubMed: 36261739
DOI: 10.1007/s10916-022-01869-1