Active Task Performance Research Articles

Effect of Synchronized Vehicle Motion to Mitigating Sickness for On-Vehicle VR During Active Task Performance

Effect of Synchronized Vehicle Motion to Mitigating Sickness for On-Vehicle VR During Active Task Performance

Unilateral Perforant Path Transection Does Not Alter Lateral Entorhinal Cortical or Hippocampal CA3 Arc Expression.

It is well established that degradation of perforant path fibers is associated with age-related cognitive dysfunction and CA3 hyperactivity. Whether this fiber loss triggers a cascade of other functional changes within the hippocampus circuit has not been causatively established, however. Thus, the current study evaluated the effect of perforant path fiber loss on neuronal activity in CA3 and layer II of the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) in relation to mnemonic similarity task performance. Expression of the immediate early gene Arc was quantified in rats that received a unilateral right hemisphere transection of the perforant path or sham surgery that cut the cortex but left the fibers intact. Behavior-related expression of Arc mRNA was measured to test the hypothesis that fiber loss leads to elevated activation of CA3 and LEC neurons, as previously observed in aged rats that were impaired on the mnemonic similarity task. Transection of perforant path fibers, which has previously been shown to lead to a decline in mnemonic similarity task performance, did not alter Arc expression. Arc expression in CA3, however, was correlated with task performance on the more difficult discrimination trials across both surgical groups. These observations further support a link between CA3 activity and mnemonic similarity task performance but suggest the reduced input from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus, as observed in old age, does not causatively elevate CA3 activity.

The impact of cognitive load on kayaking and kayaking on cognitive performance

ObjectiveWe examined the impact of performing a cognitive task of varying loads and kayaking simultaneously, compared to performance on the same tasks individually. BackgroundWhen two tasks are performed together, performance often suffers compared to performance on either task alone. Interference not only occurs in competing cognitive tasks, but has also been found with certain physically demanding activities, such as climbing. MethodSkilled kayakers performed a kayak course on open water, performed a high and a low cognitive load tone counting task, and also performed the kayak and counting tasks simultaneously. ResultsDespite some past research finding dual task facilitation with laboratory aerobic activities, simultaneous kayaking and tone counting led to dual-task interference. ConclusionConcurrent counting and kayaking led to performance impairments in both tasks, relative to single task performance. ApplicationThe present results are applicable to occupations involving concurrent demanding physical activity and cognitive task performance, such as the work of first responders and military operators. PrécisKayaking, like climbing, appears to hinder cognitive performance more than the low-risk physical tasks carried out in laboratory conditions.

Wisket rat model of schizophrenia: Impaired motivation and, altered brain structure, but no anhedonia

It is well-known that the poor cognition in schizophrenia is strongly linked to negative symptoms, including motivational deficit, which due to, at least partially, anhedonia. The goal of this study was to explore whether the schizophrenia-like Wisket animals with impaired motivation (obtained in the reward-based hole-board test), also show decreased hedonic behavior (investigated with the sucrose preference test). While neurochemical alterations of different neurotransmitter systems have been detected in the Wisket rats, no research has been performed on structural changes. Therefore, our additional aim was to reveal potential neuroanatomical and structural alterations in different brain regions in these rats.The rats showed decreased general motor activity (locomotion, rearing and exploration) and impaired task performance in the hole-board test compared to the controls, whereas no significant difference was observed in the sucrose preference test between the groups. The Wisket rats exhibited a significant decrease in the frontal cortical thickness and the hippocampal area, and moderate increases in the lateral ventricles and cell disarray in the CA3 subfield of hippocampus.To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the hedonic behavior and neuroanatomical alterations in a multi-hit animal model of schizophrenia. The results obtained in the sucrose preference test suggest that anhedonic behavior might not be involved in the impaired motivation obtained in the hole-board test. The neuropathological changes agree with findings obtained in patients with schizophrenia, which refine the high face validity of the Wisket model.

The impact of cognitive load on climbing and climbing on cognitive performance

ObjectiveWe examined the impact of increasing cognitive load on climbing performance and the impact of climbing on concurrent cognitive task performance. BackgroundGenerally when two tasks are performed simultaneously performance of one or both suffers relative to performance of each alone. Such dual task decrement is not confined to competing cognitive tasks, but has also been found when one task involves demanding physical activity. MethodSkilled climbers performed a traverse climb alone and in combination with low and high cognitive load counting tasks, which were also performed alone. ResultsIn more realistic physical settings, physical and cognitive tasks will interfere, unlike what some literature using laboratory physical tasks may indicate. ConclusionCompared to single task (climb only) performance concurrent counting and climbing resulted in impaired performance. However, climbers appeared to prioritize climbing over cognitive task performance. ApplicationThe results and this program of research have implications for occupations that involve concurrent demanding physical activity and cognitive task performance. PrécisHigh risk, physical tasks in real world conditions appear to hinder cognitive performance more so than low-risk physical tasks carried out in laboratory conditions.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the trail-making test in older adults.

The trail-making test (TMT) is a popular neuropsychological test, which is used extensively to measure cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders in older adults. Behavioural performance on the TMT has been investigated in older populations, but there is limited research on task-related brain activity in older adults. The current study administered a naturalistic version of the TMT to a healthy older-aged population in an MRI environment using a novel, MRI-compatible tablet. Functional MRI was conducted during task completion, allowing characterization of the brain activity associated with the TMT. Performance on the TMT was evaluated using number of errors and seconds per completion of each link. Results are reported for 36 cognitively healthy older adults between the ages of 52 and 85. Task-related activation was observed in extensive regions of the bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes as well as key motor areas. Increased age was associated with reduced brain activity and worse task performance. Specifically, older age was correlated with decreased task-related activity in the bilateral occipital, temporal and parietal lobes. These results suggest that healthy older aging significantly affects brain function during the TMT, which consequently may result in performance decrements. The current study reveals the brain activation patterns underlying TMT performance in a healthy older aging population, which functions as an important, clinically-relevant control to compare to pathological aging in future investigations.

Dynamic activity of human brain task-specific networks

A simple motor behaviour or a more complex behaviour is the result of the neural activity of those neural networks responsible for the behaviour. To understand how the network activity is transformed into human behaviours, it is necessary to identify task-specific networks and analyse the dynamic network activity that changes with time. Here we report a novel task-fMRI technique to identify task-specific networks and analyse their dynamic activity. Nine subjects participated in a task-fMRI study in which the subjects were cued to perform three different tasks of word-reading, pattern-viewing and finger-tapping. A functional area of unitary pooled activity (FAUPA) is defined as an area in which the temporal variation of the activity is the same across the entire area, and a task-associated FAUPA plays the role of a functional unit for the task. A novel method is presented to (1) identify FAUPAs that are associated with each task as well as their functional groupings; (2) identify the three task-specific networks; and (3) analyse the network activity from trial to trial. Task-associated FAUPAs were identified for each task and each subject. A task-specific large-scale neural network across the whole brain consisted of all FAUPAs that were activated each time the task was performed, and all three task-specific networks were identified for each individual subject. The temporal changes of activation and functional connectivity of the FAUPAs within each network from trial to trial characterized the dynamic activity of the network. The results demonstrated a one-to-one relation between the network activity and the task performance from trial to trial, offering a means of testing the causal relationship between network activity and human task performance by systematically manipulating task performance and measuring corresponding network activity change.

Asymmetric coupling of action and outcome valence in active and observational feedback learning

Learning to execute a response to obtain a reward or to inhibit a response to avoid punishment is much easier than learning the reverse, which has been referred to as “Pavlovian” biases. Despite a growing body of research into similarities and differences between active and observational learning, it is as yet unclear if Pavlovian learning biases are specific for active task performance, i.e., learning from feedback provided for one’s own actions, or if they persist also when learning by observing another person’s actions and subsequent outcomes. The present study, therefore, investigated the influence of action and outcome valence in active and observational feedback learning. Healthy adult volunteers completed a go/nogo task that decoupled outcome valence (win/loss) and action (execution/inhibition) either actively or by observing a virtual co-player’s responses and subsequent feedback. Moreover, in a more naturalistic follow-up experiment, pairs of subjects were tested with the same task, with one subject as active learner and the other as observational learner. The results revealed Pavlovian learning biases both in active and in observational learning, with learning of go responses facilitated in the context of reward obtainment, and learning of nogo responses facilitated in the context of loss avoidance. Although the neural correlates of active and observational feedback learning have been shown to differ to some extent, these findings suggest similar mechanisms to underlie both types of learning with respect to the influence of Pavlovian biases. Moreover, performance levels and result patterns were similar in those observational learners who had observed a virtual co-player and those who had completed the task together with an active learner, suggesting that inclusion of a virtual co-player in a computerized task provides an effective manipulation of agency.

The Effect of McConell Tape on Patients with Patellofemoral Pain

PURPOSE Patellofemoral pain is a common overuse injury in knee joint among runners. McConell taping technique has been recommended to alleviate symptoms in patients with patellofemoral pain. However, the clinical effects of McConell taping are not well-described. Therefore, we reviewed the effect of McConell taping in reducing patellofemoral pain. METHODS In this review, we summarized the effect of McConell taping on pain management, muscular function, proprioception, and functional task performance. RESULTS Application of a standard McConell taping technique to patients with patellofemoral pain showed a positive effect on pain management. However, there are limited investigations about proprioceptive improvement after taping. In addition, there are controversial results on vastus medialis and vastus lateralis EMG activity and functional task performance. CONCLUSIONS Understanding effectiveness and mechanism of McConnell taping is important to provide evidence to clinical professionals. As we reviewed and summarized many different studies, controversial findings exist in scientific and clinical studies. Therefore, it is recommended that future investigations into McConnell taping should focus on these factors to provide more consistent effects so that many clinicians can use McConnell taping technique with evidence. Keywords: Anterior knee pain, Patellofemoral joint, Treatment, Taping technique

From Perfection to performance: A Moderated Mediation process

The Present study empirically examines the impact of perfectionist striving on active behavior and task performance. Work motivation used as a mediating mechanism and basic psychological needs employed as a moderator between perfectionist striving and workplace behaviors. It’s a moderated mediating study because of the interest of knowing the conditional nature of mediating variable. Self-determination theory has been employed as theoretical background of these relationships in order to have full and thorough understanding of the link from perfection to performance. Data were collected from 220 subordinates-supervisor matching dyads of engineers from different organizations of Pakistan using convenient sampling technique. Exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression used to check the direct relationships. Indirect macro used for mediating relations and process macro used for moderating relation of the study. Results supported the positive association of perfectionist striving with task performance and proactive behaviour. Furthermore, results also supported the mediating effect of work motivation. However, results could not predict the moderating role of basic psychological needs. Moreover, findings of present research bring an important implications for organizations to consider perfectionism as positive attitude because it relates to adaptive outcome and positive work behaviours such as performance.

Phonological Task Enhances the Frequency-Following Response to Deviant Task-Irrelevant Speech Sounds.

In electroencephalography (EEG) measurements, processing of periodic sounds in the ascending auditory pathway generates the frequency-following response (FFR) phase-locked to the fundamental frequency (F0) and its harmonics of a sound. We measured FFRs to the steady-state (vowel) part of syllables /ba/ and /aw/ occurring in binaural rapid streams of speech sounds as frequently repeating standard syllables or as infrequent (p = 0.2) deviant syllables among standard /wa/ syllables. Our aim was to study whether concurrent active phonological processing affects early processing of irrelevant speech sounds reflected by FFRs to these sounds. To this end, during syllable delivery, our healthy adult participants performed tasks involving written letters delivered on a computer screen in a rapid stream. The stream consisted of vowel letters written in red, infrequently occurring consonant letters written in the same color, and infrequently occurring vowel letters written in blue. In the phonological task, the participants were instructed to press a response key to the consonant letters differing phonologically but not in color from the frequently occurring red vowels, whereas in the non-phonological task, they were instructed to respond to the vowel letters written in blue differing only in color from the frequently occurring red vowels. We observed that the phonological task enhanced responses to deviant /ba/ syllables but not responses to deviant /aw/ syllables. This suggests that active phonological task performance may enhance processing of such small changes in irrelevant speech sounds as the 30-ms difference in the initial formant-transition time between the otherwise identical syllables /ba/ and /wa/ used in the present study.

Childhood leukemia survivors exhibit deficiencies in sensory and cognitive processes, as reflected by event-related brain potentials after completion of curative chemotherapy: A preliminary investigation

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this study was to characterize post-chemotherapy sensory, memory, and attention abilities in childhood survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to better understand how treatment affects cognitive functioning.Methods: Eight ALL survivors and eight age-matched, healthy children between the ages of 5-11 years participated in the study. Among the ALL survivors, a median of 63 days (range 22-267 days) elapsed between completion of chemotherapy and this assessment. Sounds were presented in an oddball paradigm while recording the electroencephalogram in separate conditions of passive listening and active task performance. To assess different domains of cognition, we measured event-related brain potentials (ERPs) reflecting sensory processing (P1 component), working memory (mismatch negativity [MMN] component), attentional orienting (P3a), and target detection (P3b component) in response to the sounds. We also measured sound discrimination and response speed performance.Results: Relative to control subjects, ALL survivors had poorer performance on auditory tasks, as well as decreased amplitude of the P1, MMN, P3a, and P3b components. ALL survivors also did not exhibit the amplitude gain typically observed in the sensory P1 component when attending to the sound input compared to when passively listening.Conclusions: Atypical responses were observed in brain processes associated with sensory discrimination, auditory working memory, and attentional control in pediatric ALL survivors indicating deficiencies in all cognitive domains compared to age-matched controls.Significance: ERPs differentiated aspects of cognitive functioning, which may provide a useful tool for assessing recovery and risk of post-chemotherapy cognitive deficiencies in young children. The decreased MMN amplitude in ALL survivors may indicate (N-methyl D-aspartate) NMDA dysfunction induced by methotrexate, and thus provides a potential therapeutic target for chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairments.

How does context influence arm use after stroke? A qualitative content analysis among rural community-dwelling stroke survivors

ObjectiveTo explore the personal and environmental contextual factors that influence use of affected arm for function among stroke survivors. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative phenomenological study using an interpretivist paradigm among 23 stroke survivors in their late sub-acute and chronic stages and their relatives living in the rural regions of India using maximum variation sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify personal and environmental contextual factors relevant to arm use. Their current level of arm use, motor and functional ability were evaluated using Motor Activity Log, AbilHand and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scales and the scores were categorized in order to describe and compare the participant's characteristics before analyzing each interview. Differences among the contextual factors of participants with high and low levels of functional arm use and exercise using paretic limb were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. ResultsStudy participants followed active exercises or passive interventions to improve their arm. Their immediate social environment influenced these decisions. Lack of awareness on how to self-engage or scale down their physical environment to match their abilities demoted active functional task performance. Ability to perceive small gains in arm function helped them sustain their efforts. ConclusionContext influences arm use. Addressing contextual determinants influencing arm use such as facilitating understanding about the need for active functional task engagement; identifying and addressing factors moderating motivation to sustain functional task practice and enriching objects to match their movement abilities can increase arm use and promote upper limb recovery.

Laminar profile of task-related plasticity in ferret primary auditory cortex

Rapid task-related plasticity is a neural correlate of selective attention in primary auditory cortex (A1). Top-down feedback from higher-order cortex may drive task-related plasticity in A1, characterized by enhanced neural representation of behaviorally meaningful sounds during auditory task performance. Since intracortical connectivity is greater within A1 layers 2/3 (L2/3) than in layers 4–6 (L4–6), we hypothesized that enhanced representation of behaviorally meaningful sounds might be greater in A1 L2/3 than L4–6. To test this hypothesis and study the laminar profile of task-related plasticity, we trained 2 ferrets to detect pure tones while we recorded laminar activity across a 1.8 mm depth in A1. In each experiment we analyzed high-gamma local field potentials (LFPs) and multi-unit spiking in response to identical acoustic stimuli during both passive listening and active task performance. We found that neural responses to auditory targets were enhanced during task performance, and target enhancement was greater in L2/3 than in L4–6. Spectrotemporal receptive fields (STRFs) computed from both high-gamma LFPs and multi-unit spiking showed similar increases in auditory target selectivity, also greatest in L2/3. Our results suggest that activity within intracortical networks plays a key role in the underlying neural mechanisms of selective attention.

Comparisons of Whole Body Vibration, Muscle Activity and Non-driving Task Performance between Different Seat Suspensions in an Autonomous Passenger Car Application

This study compared whole body vibration (WBV), muscle activity and non-driving task performance between different seat suspension settings in a simulated autonomous passenger car environment. To simulate autonomous vehicle environment, field-measured vibration profiles were recreated on a large-scale 6-degree-of-freedom motion platform. In a repeated-measures laboratory experiment, we measured whole body vibration, muscle activity (neck, shoulder and low back), participants non-driving task performance while participants performed non-driving tasks (pointing task with a laptop trackpad, keyboard typing, web-browsing, and reading) on three different suspension seats mounted on the motion platform: vertical (z-axis) electromagnetic active suspension, multi-axial (lateral (y-axis) and vertical (z-axis)) electromagnetic active suspension, and no suspension (industry standard suspension-less seat for passenger cars). The average weighted vibration [A(8)] and vibration dose value [VDV(8)] showed that the seat measured vibration on both the vertical [A(8) = 0.29 m/s2 and VDV(8) = 10.70 m/s1.75] and multi-axial suspension seats [A(8) = 0.29 m/s2 and VDV(8) = 10.22m/s1.75] were lower than no-suspension seat vibration [A(8) = 0.36 m/s2 and VDV(8) = 12.84 m/s1.75]. Despite the significant differences in WBV between the different suspensions there were no significant differences across three different suspension seats in typing performance (typing speed and accuracy: p’s > 0.83), pointing task performance (movement time and accuracy: p’s > 0.87), web-browsing (number of questions and webpages read: p = 0.42), and reading (number of words read: p = 0.30). The muscle activity in low back (erector spinae) and shoulder (trapezius) muscles also did not show any significant differences (p’s > 0.22). These laboratory study findings indicated that despite the significant reduction in WBV, neither vertical nor multi-axial active suspension seats improve non-driving task performance as compared to the no-suspension seat.

The Omega‐6 to Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Ratio Predicts Brain Activity During Planning Tasks in Middle Childhood.

The Omega‐6 to Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Ratio Predicts Brain Activity During Planning Tasks in Middle Childhood.

The Association Between Weight Status, Weight History, Physical Activity, and Cognitive Task Performance.

Physical activity has been shown to attenuate the association between overweight/obesity and deleterious cardiovascular health-related outcomes, with emerging work also taking the duration of overweight/obesity into consideration. No previous work, however, has explored the interrelationships between physical activity, obesity, and obesity duration in the context of cognitive task performance, which was the purpose of this study. Data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used (N=2322 adults 60-85yrs). Physical activity was assessed via self-report, with body mass index (BMI) directly measured. Participants were classified into one of eight mutually exclusive groups: (0) normal weight now and 10years ago and active now (n=195), (1) normal weight and 10years ago and inactive now (n=265), (2) normal weight now but not 10years ago and active now (n=46), (3) normal weight now but not 10years ago and inactive now (n=123), (4) overweight/obese now but not 10years ago and active now (n=117), (5) overweight/obese now but not 10years ago and inactive now (n=168), (6) overweight/obese now and 10years ago and active now (n=435), and (7) overweight/obese now and 10years ago and inactive now (n=973). The digit symbol substitution test (DSST) was employed to assess cognitive task performance. After adjustments, only individuals who were inactive (groups 1, 3, 5, and 7) had significantly lower cognitive task performance. Being inactive, regardless of weight classification and duration of overweight/obesity, was inversely associated with cognitive task performance in this national sample of older adults.

Relationship Between Tennis Experience and Executive Function in Male Children, Independent of Physical Fitness Level

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between tennis experience and executive function in children while controlling for physical activity and physical fitness. METHODS: Sixty-eight children (6-12 years, 34 males and 34 females) were studied. The subjects had participated in regular tennis lessons (mean = 2.39 years, range: 0.14-7.33 yr) prior to the study. Evaluations of executive functions, consisting of inhibitory control (Stroop Color-Word Test), working memory (2-Back Task), and cognitive flexibility (Local-global Task) were performed. The level of daily physical activity varying from moderate to vigorous was evaluated by the use of triaxial accelerometers. The total score for physical fitness was assessed by the Tennis Field Test. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed the effect of interactions between sex and tennis experience on the reaction time (RT) of switch condition and switch cost of Local-global Task after controlling for age, BMI, sex, physical activity, physical fitness, and tennis experience (RT of switch condition: β = -71.74, R2 = 0.06, p < 0.05, switch cost: β = -68.12, R2 = 0.14, p < 0.01). Longer total years of tennis experience were associated with better cognitive flexibility in only males with no such relationship observed in females. Greater total scores of physical fitness were positively associated with shorter interference scores for the Stroop Color-Word Test and RT of switch condition in the Local-global Task after controlling for age, BMI, sex (interference score: β = -68.37, R2 = 0.12, p < 0.05, RT of switch condition: β = -89.20, R2 = 0.07, p < 0.05). No relationship was found between physical fitness, physical activity, tennis experience and 2-Back Task performance. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an evidence suggesting that, as compared to working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility are influenced by physical exercise to a greater extent, and further demonstrate a higher development of cognitive flexibility for boys related to tennis experience.

Resting-state fMRI reveals enhanced functional connectivity in spatial navigation networks after transcranial direct current stimulation

A number of studies have established that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates cortical excitability. We previously demonstrated polarity dependent changes in parietal lobe blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI in a group of young adults during a spatial navigation task [15]. Here we used resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) to examine whether analogous changes were also evident during the resting state. Participants were randomized to either a parietal-anodal, frontal-cathodal (P+F−) or the opposite montage (P−F+) and received 20min of tDCS (2mA) before undergoing resting-state fMRI. rsFC was evaluated between the groups by placing a seed in the medial superior parietal lobule (mSPL), which was under the target electrode. rsFC between the mSPL and a number of other areas involved in spatial navigation, scene processing, and sensorimotor processing was significantly higher in the P+F− than the P−F+ group. Thus, the modulatory effects of tDCS were evident during rest and suggest that stimulation primes not just the underlying neocortex but an extended network that can be recruited as necessary during active task performance.

Relations between self-efficacy beliefs, self-presentation motives, personal task goals, and performance on endurance-based physical activity tasks

We conducted two studies with the aim of examining the relations between self-presentation motives and physical activity task performance. In study 1, prior to performing an endurance-based physical activity task, 133 undergraduate participants (Mage = 20.89, SD = 5.21) reported acquisitive-agentic and protective-agentic self-presentation motives alongside task self-efficacy, self-presentational efficacy, and their personal task goals. Using a different endurance-based physical activity task in study 2, we also assessed undergraduate participants' (n = 150; Mage = 20.23, SD = 3.34) dispositional exercise-related self-presentation motivation alongside the variables measured in study 1. Bayesian path analyses revealed indirect relations between agentic self-presentation motives and task performance via participants' personal task goals. Findings also indicated that agentic self-presentation motives may act as intermediaries in indirect pathways linking efficacy beliefs and dispositional exercise-related self-presentation motivation to goal processes and task performance. The results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between self-presentation motivation and task performance.