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Journal of Affective Disorders Aug 2022Social anxiety is highly prevalent and has increased in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since social anxiety negatively impacts interpersonal functioning,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Social anxiety is highly prevalent and has increased in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since social anxiety negatively impacts interpersonal functioning, identifying aspects of social cognition that may be impaired can increase our understanding of the development and maintenance of social anxiety disorder. However, to date, studies examining associations between social anxiety and social cognition have resulted in mixed findings.
METHODS
The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the literature on the association between social anxiety and social cognition, while also considering several potential moderators and covariates that may influence findings.
RESULTS
A systematic search identified 52 studies. Results showed mixed evidence for the association between social anxiety and lower-level social cognitive processes (emotion recognition and affect sharing) and a trend for a negative association with higher-level social cognitive processes (theory of mind and empathic accuracy). Most studies examining valence-specific effects found a significant negative association for positive and neutral stimuli.
LIMITATIONS
Not all aspects of social cognition were included (e.g., attributional bias) and we focused on adults and not children, limiting the scope of the review.
CONCLUSIONS
Future studies would benefit from the inclusion of relevant moderators and covariates, multiple well-validated measures within the same domain of social cognition, and assessments of interpersonal functioning outside of the laboratory. Additional research examining the moderating role of attention or interpretation biases on social cognitive performance, and the potential benefit of social cognitive skills training for social anxiety, could inform and improve existing cognitive behavioral interventions.
Topics: Anxiety; COVID-19; Cognition; Humans; Pandemics; Social Cognition; Social Perception; Young Adult
PubMed: 35490878
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.130 -
Ageing Research Reviews Apr 2022To examine the dose-response relationship between overall and specific types of exercise with cognitive function in older adults. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To examine the dose-response relationship between overall and specific types of exercise with cognitive function in older adults.
DESIGN
Systematic Review and Bayesian Model-Based Network Meta-Analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
Randomized controlled trials of exercise interventions in participants aged 50 years or over, and that reported on at least one global cognition outcome.
RESULTS
The search returned 1998 records, of which 44 studies (4793 participants; 102 different effect sizes) were included in this review with meta-analysis. There was a non-linear, dose-response association between overall exercise and cognition. We found no minimal threshold for the beneficial effect of exercise on cognition. The estimated minimal exercise dose associated with clinically relevant changes in cognition was 724 METs-min per week, and doses beyond 1200 METs-min per week provided less clear benefits. We also found that the dose-response association was exercise type dependent, and our results show that clinically important effects may occur at lower doses for many types of exercise. Our findings also highlighted the superior effects of resistance exercises over other modalities.
CONCLUSIONS
If provided with the most potent modalities, older adults can get clinical meaningful benefits with lower doses than the WHO guidelines. Findings support the WHO recommendations to emphasise resistance training as a critical component of interventions for older adults.
Topics: Aged; Bayes Theorem; Cognition; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis
PubMed: 35182742
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101591 -
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Jan 2023The lack of cognitive activity accelerates age cognitive decline. Cognitive stimulation (CS) tries to enhance cognitive functioning. The purpose of this systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The lack of cognitive activity accelerates age cognitive decline. Cognitive stimulation (CS) tries to enhance cognitive functioning. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on cognitive outcomes (general cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains) in older adults (aged 65 years or older, cognitively healthy participants, or with mild cognitive impairment, or dementia).
METHODS
PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were identified in these databases, and. 33 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis. Raw means and standard deviations were used for continuous outcomes. Publication bias was examined by Egger's Regression Test for Funnel Plot Asymmetry and the quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health.
RESULTS
CS significantly improves general cognitive functioning (mean difference=MD = 1.536, 95%CI, 0.832 to 2.240), memory (MD = 0.365, 95%CI, 0.300 to 0.430), orientation (MD = 0.428, 95%CI, 0.306 to 0.550), praxis (MD = 0.278, 95%CI, 0.094 to 0.462) and calculation (MD = 0.228, 95%CI, 0.112 to 0.343).
CONCLUSION
CS seems to increase general cognitive functioning, memory, orientation, praxis, and calculation in older adults.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Dementia; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Healthy Volunteers
PubMed: 36116285
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104807 -
Nutrients Mar 2021Vitamin B12 is often used to improve cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. In most cases, such complaints are not associated with overt vitamin B12... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Vitamin B12 is often used to improve cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. In most cases, such complaints are not associated with overt vitamin B12 deficiency or advanced neurological disorders and the effectiveness of vitamin B12 supplementation in such cases is uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to assess the effects of vitamin B12 alone (B12 alone), in addition to vitamin B12 and folic acid with or without vitamin B6 (B complex) on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and idiopathic fatigue in patients without advanced neurological disorders or overt vitamin B12 deficiency. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched. A total of 16 RCTs with 6276 participants were included. Regarding cognitive function outcomes, we found no evidence for an effect of B12 alone or B complex supplementation on any subdomain of cognitive function outcomes. Further, meta-regression showed no significant associations of treatment effects with any of the potential predictors. We also found no overall effect of vitamin supplementation on measures of depression. Further, only one study reported effects on idiopathic fatigue, and therefore, no analysis was possible. Vitamin B12 supplementation is likely ineffective for improving cognitive function and depressive symptoms in patients without advanced neurological disorders.
Topics: Cognition; Depression; Dietary Supplements; Fatigue; Humans; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins
PubMed: 33809274
DOI: 10.3390/nu13030923 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2018Childhood is an important and sensitive period for cognitive development. There is limited published research regarding the relationship between sports and cognitive...
Childhood is an important and sensitive period for cognitive development. There is limited published research regarding the relationship between sports and cognitive functions in children. We present studies that demonstrate the influence of physical activity on health, especially a positive correlation between sports and cognitive functions. The keywords “children, cognition, cognitive function, physical activity, and brain” were searched for using PsycInfo, Medline, and Google Scholar, with publication dates ranging from January 2000 to November 2017. Of the 617 results, 58 articles strictly connected to the main topics of physical activity and cognitive functioning were then reviewed. The areas of attention, thinking, language, learning, and memory were analyzed relative to sports and childhood. Results suggest that engaging in sports in late childhood positively influences cognitive and emotional functions. There is a paucity of publications that investigate the impact of sports on pre-adolescents’ cognitive functions, or explore which cognitive functions are developed by which sporting disciplines. Such knowledge would be useful in developing training programs for pre-adolescents, aimed at improving cognitive functions that may guide both researchers and practitioners relative to the wide range of benefits that result from physical activity.
Topics: Attention; Child; Cognition; Exercise; Humans; Language; Memory; Sports
PubMed: 29671803
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15040800 -
Ageing Research Reviews Sep 2022To determine the effects of low- vs. high-intensity aerobic and resistance training on motor and cognitive function, brain activation, brain structure, and neurochemical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of low- vs. high-intensity aerobic and resistance training on motor and cognitive function, brain activation, brain structure, and neurochemical markers of neuroplasticity and the association thereof in healthy young and older adults and in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.
DESIGN
Systematic review and robust variance estimation meta-analysis with meta-regression.
DATA SOURCES
Systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases.
RESULTS
Fifty studies with 60 intervention arms and 2283 in-analyses participants were included. Due to the low number of studies, the three patient groups were combined and analyzed as a single group. Overall, low- (g=0.19, p = 0.024) and high-intensity exercise (g=0.40, p = 0.001) improved neuroplasticity. Exercise intensity scaled with neuroplasticity only in healthy young adults but not in healthy older adults or patient groups. Exercise-induced improvements in neuroplasticity were associated with changes in motor but not cognitive outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Exercise intensity is an important variable to dose and individualize the exercise stimulus for healthy young individuals but not necessarily for healthy older adults and neurological patients. This conclusion warrants caution because studies are needed that directly compare the effects of low- vs. high-intensity exercise on neuroplasticity to determine if such changes are mechanistically and incrementally linked to improved cognition and motor function.
Topics: Aged; Biomarkers; Cognition; Exercise; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Neuronal Plasticity; Resistance Training
PubMed: 35853549
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101698 -
Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of... May 2022We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the cognitive effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults with no prior history of cognitive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the cognitive effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults with no prior history of cognitive impairment.
METHODS
Searches in Medline/Web of Science/Embase from January 1, 2020, to December 13, 2021, were performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A meta-analysis of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score comparing recovered COVID-19 and healthy controls was performed.
RESULTS
Oof 6202 articles, 27 studies with 2049 individuals were included (mean age = 56.05 years, evaluation time ranged from the acute phase to 7 months post-infection). Impairment in executive functions, attention, and memory were found in post-COVID-19 patients. The meta-analysis was performed with a subgroup of 290 individuals and showed a difference in MoCA score between post-COVID-19 patients versus controls (mean difference = -0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.59, -0.29; P = .0049).
DISCUSSION
Patients recovered from COVID-19 have lower general cognition compared to healthy controls up to 7 months post-infection.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Executive Function; Humans; Infant
PubMed: 35297561
DOI: 10.1002/alz.12644 -
Ageing Research Reviews Feb 2022This systematic review aims to summarize cognitive reserve (CR) evaluation approaches and to examine the role of seven selected modifiable lifestyle factors (diet,... (Review)
Review
This systematic review aims to summarize cognitive reserve (CR) evaluation approaches and to examine the role of seven selected modifiable lifestyle factors (diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, cognitive leisure activity, sleep, and meditation) in mitigating the impacts of age- or disease-related brain changes on cognition. Eighteen population-based English empirical studies were included. We summarize the study designs and identify three CR models that were broadly used in these studies, including a residual model assessing lifestyle factors in relation to unexplained variance in cognition after accounting for brain markers, a moderation model testing whether lifestyle factors moderate the relationship between brain status and cognition, and a controlling model examining the associations between lifestyle factors and cognition when controlling for brain measures. We also present the findings for the impact of each lifestyle factor. No studies examined diet, sleep, or meditation, and only two studies focused on smoking and alcohol consumption each. Overall, the studies suggest lifestyle activity factors (physical and cognitive leisure activities) may contribute to CR and attenuate the damaging impact of brain changes on cognition. Standardized measurements of lifestyle factors and CR are needed, and mechanisms underlying CR need to be further addressed as well.
Topics: Brain; Cognition; Cognitive Reserve; Exercise; Humans; Life Style
PubMed: 34952208
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101551 -
BioMed Research International 2017This study synthesized literature concerning casual evidence of effects of various physical activity programs on motor skills and cognitive development in typically... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study synthesized literature concerning casual evidence of effects of various physical activity programs on motor skills and cognitive development in typically developed preschool children.
METHODS
Electronic databases were searched through July 2017. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in healthy young children (4-6 years) were screened.
RESULTS
A total of 15 RCTs were included. Of the 10 studies assessing the effects of physical activity on motor skills, eight (80%) reported significant improvements in motor performance and one observed mixed findings, but one failed to promote any beneficial outcomes. Of the five studies investigating the influence of physical activity on cognitive development, four (80%) showed significant and positive changes in language learning, academic achievement, attention, and working memory. Notably, one indicated no significant improvements were observed after the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings support causal evidence of effects of physical activity on both motor skills and cognitive development in preschool children. Given the shortage of available studies, future research with large representative samples is warranted to explore the relationships between physical activity and cognitive domains as well as strengthen and confirm the dose-response evidence in early childhood.
Topics: Child; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Motor Skills; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29387718
DOI: 10.1155/2017/2760716 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Executive function is among the most affected cognitive dimensions in depression. Physical exercise may improve executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Executive function is among the most affected cognitive dimensions in depression. Physical exercise may improve executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility), although this is without consensus on adults with depression. Through this systematic review, we aim to elucidate the effects of physical exercise programs on executive functions in adults with depression. The literature search was performed in four relevant electronic databases, combining keywords and medical subject headings, from inception until September 2022. Controlled interventions, involving adults with depression, and reporting working memory, inhibition, and/or cognitive flexibility pre-post-intervention data, were considered includable. Results from meta-analyses included effect size (ES, i.e., Hedges' g) values reported with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), with set at ≤0.05. Seven studies were included, including 202 men and 457 women (age: 21.0-51.2 years; mild-moderate depression). For working memory, a small favoring effect was observed in the experimental groups compared with controls (ES = 0.33, 95%CI = 0.04-0.61; = 0.026; I = 64.9%). For inhibition, physical exercise had a small favoring non-significant effect compared with controls (ES = 0.28, 95%CI = -0.17-0.74; = 0.222; I = 72.4%). Compared with the control group, physical exercise had a trivial effect on cognitive flexibility (ES = 0.09, 95%CI = -0.21-0.39; = 0.554; I = 68.4%). In conclusion, physical exercise interventions may improve working memory behavioral measures in adults with mild-to-moderate depression when compared with active and passive control conditions. However, the reduced number of available high-quality studies precludes more lucid conclusions.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Executive Function; Depression; Exercise; Cognition; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 36429985
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215270