Attentional Capacity Research Articles

Measuring attention of ADHD patients by means of a computer game featuring biometrical data gathering

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed mainly in children, marked by inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. The symptoms are highly variable, such as different ages of onset and potential comorbidities, contributing to frequent misdiagnoses. Professionals note a gap in modern diagnostic tools, making accurate identification challenging. To address this, recent studies recommend gamification for better ADHD diagnosis and treatment, though further research is essential to confirm its efficacy. This work aims to create a serious game, namely “Attention Slackline", to assess attention levels. The game, designed with expert input, requires players to concentrate on a specific point to recognize specific patterns while managing distractions. A controlled experiment tested its precision, and results were compared with established attention tests by a correlation analysis. Statistical analysis confirmed the game's validity, especially in tracking attention through correct responses and errors. Preliminary evidence suggests that “Attention Slackline" may serve as a credible instrument for the assessment of attentional capacities in individuals with ADHD, given that its outcomes have been empirically shown to correlate with those derived from a well-established attention assessment methodology.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Circulating Metabolites and Cognitive Performance.

Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention to reduce obesity and improve associated comorbidities. However, its effects on cognitive function are still the subject of debate. Given that the bioavailability of circulating metabolites can influence brain metabolism and cognitive performance, we aimed to assess the effects of bariatric surgery on plasma metabolic profiles and cognitive performance. We recruited 26 women undergoing gastric bypass surgery. We conducted anthropometric assessments and collected plasma samples for metabolomic analysis. A set of 4 cognitive tests were used to evaluate cognitive performance. Participants were reevaluated 1year post-surgery. After surgery, attention capacity and executive function were improved, while immediate memory had deteriorated. Regarding metabolic profile, reduction of beta-tocopherol and increase of serine, glutamic acid, butanoic acid, and glycolic acid were observed. To better understand the relationship between cognitive function and metabolites, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify more homogeneous subgroups based on the cognitive performance. We identified cluster 1, which did not show changes in cognitive performance after surgery, and cluster 2, which showed improved attention and executive function, but reduced performance in the immediate memory test. Thus, cluster 2 was more homogeneous group that replicated the results of non-clustered subjects. Analysis of the metabolic profile of cluster 2 confirmed serine, glutamic acid, and glycolic acid as potential metabolites associated with cognitive performance. Metabolites identified in this study have potential for biomarkers and alternative therapeutic target to prevent obesity-related cognitive decline. • Attention capacity and executive function were improved 12 months post bariatric surgery. • Immediate memory was worsened 12 months post bariatric surgery. • Serine, glutamic acid, and glycolic acid are potential metabolites linked to the alteration of cognitive performance.

Affordances and constraints of integrating esports into higher education from the perspectives of students and teachers: An ecological systems approach

This study aimed to investigate the perceived affordances of incorporating esports into higher education using an ecological systems approach that examined the multiple factors shaping behaviours at the individual, interpersonal, and organisational levels. A total of 40 participants, comprising 32 students and 8 teachers, were invited to take part in semi-structured interviews. The data gathered from the interviews underwent qualitative analysis through the employment of thematic analysis methods. The results suggested that esports were perceived as having the potential to promote students’ skills development and foster an interactive learning culture. The study also identified constraints on esports integration at various levels, including student differences (i.e. in gaming interest, skills, attention, and physical capacity) and teachers’ insufficient knowledge (i.e. of esports and related pedagogy and content) at the individual level; concerns about the negative impacts of esports at the interpersonal level; and a lack of effective execution of university leadership at the organisational level. The results of this study offer valuable insights for education leaders into how to effectively exercise leadership in the context of esports. Specifically, the findings underscore the importance of developing professional development programmes for teachers to enhance their knowledge of the use of esports and related pedagogy and teaching content to improve the implementation of esports-based instruction.

More knowledge, better innovation? Role of knowledge breadth and depth

PurposeCurrent open innovation (OI) and external knowledge search (EKS) research primarily shows a positive linear relationship between EKS and innovation at an individual level. However, organizational scholarship argues that excessive EKS may harm innovation. This study combines the knowledge-based view (KBV) and attention-based view (ABV) to articulate a nonlinear theory of EKS and innovation at the individual level.Design/methodology/approachThe authors constructed a multi-sourced dataset covering 59,798 USA pharmaceutical patents spanning from 1975 to 2014 and employed negative binomial fixed-effect models to examine theoretical hypotheses.FindingsWe find a significant concave curvilinear relationship between EKS and innovation quantity as well as innovation quality at an individual level. An individual’s knowledge breadth and depth moderate the relationship between EKS and innovation, such that the threshold at which EKS has diminishing returns for individual innovation is higher for inventors with a broad range of knowledge and those with deeper expertise in the domain where they are innovating.Research limitations/implicationsManagers should guide inventors toward a moderate investment of time and effort in EKS and should caution against over searching. Besides, managers should recognize that an inventor’s capacity for EKS is determined in part by their breadth of knowledge across various domains as well as the depth of knowledge they have in the knowledge domain where they are innovating.Practical implicationsWe provide both parties with a clearer understanding of when EKS can begin to deteriorate an individual’s innovation performance why that deterioration occurs, and we also highlight two individual-level knowledge characteristics to take into consideration when deciding when to cease the EKS process.Social implicationsThis study provides a novel holistic understanding of OI and knowledge management for policymakers and organizations to nourish innovation dynamism and make the best of knowledge stocks in the community, which in turn will create endless power for sustainable social change and inclusive development.Originality/valueThis study contributes to OI theory by highlighting the non-linear nature of the relationship between EKS and innovation on an individual level. This represents a fundamental shift in theory on EKS and individual innovation by suggesting a major rethinking of how the two concepts relate, revealing the dark side of EKS in knowledge management if inventors engage in excessive EKS. Likewise, our study’s incorporation of the ABV informs KBV scholarship by highlighting the role of the limited attentional capacity of individuals in firm knowledge management.

Discrimination of Second Language Vowel Contrasts and the Role of Phonological Short-Term Memory and Nonverbal Intelligence

Although extensive research has focused on the perceptual abilities of second language (L2) learners, a significant gap persists in understanding how cognitive functions like phonological short-term memory (PSTM) and nonverbal intelligence (IQ) impact L2 speech perception. This study sets out to investigate the discrimination of L2 English monophthongal vowel contrasts and to assess the effect of PSTM and nonverbal IQ on L2 speech perception. The participants consisted of adult monolingually-raised Greek speakers, who completed an AX discrimination test, a digit span test, and a nonverbal intelligence test. A control group of English speakers also completed the AX test. Data were analyzed using Bayesian regression models. The results revealed that Greek speakers exhibited below chance discrimination for the majority of L2 vowel contrasts, consistently underperforming in comparison to the control group. Intriguingly, the study did not provide substantial evidence in favor of more accurate discrimination of L2 contrasts by Greek participants with high PSTM compared to those with low PSTM. However, the study yielded compelling evidence indicating that Greek participants with higher IQ demonstrated superior accuracy in discriminating most L2 contrasts compared to their lower IQ counterparts. The limited influence of PSTM on speech perception suggests the need for further exploration, considering the potential impact of test methodologies and the intricate interplay of other confounding factors. Furthermore, the study uncovers a noteworthy relationship between nonverbal IQ and L2 speech perception, likely linked with the association of high IQ with enhanced attentional capacities, information processing abilities, and learning skills—all of which are pivotal for accurate speech perception.

A qualitative study of the factors impacting implementation of the national action plan to contain antimicrobial resistance (2016-2020) in medical institutions.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a serious global public health crisis. In response, 2016, 14 ministries in China, under the leadership of the National Health Commission, collaboratively issued the National Action Plan (NAP) to Contain Antibacterial Resistance (2016-2020). The NAP outlines strategies for medical institutions to adopt stewardship and implement AMR control. The purpose of this study was to comprehend stakeholders' perceptions of the NAP and explore the factors that influence its implementation in medical institutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners from medical institution in March and April 2021. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis via the framework approach. Twenty practitioners, representing diverse roles (4 administrators, 7 clinicians, 3 microbiologists, 3 pharmacists, 3 nosocomial infection management personnel) from seven institutions, participated in the study. Substantial efforts have been undertaken to regulate the rational use of antibiotics and enhance the management of hospital infections. Participants demonstrated awareness and concern regarding antimicrobial resistance, with widespread support expressed for the NAP. Among all professions, there were varying opinions on whether they felt restricted in their daily work. The tertiary hospitals have established multidisciplinary cooperation mechanisms. Six main themes were identified as both barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the NAP in the medical institutions: individual factors, leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient factors, trainingand culture. The capacity for administrative attention is constrained or limited, poor enforcement of guidelines, insufficient specialist staff and the liability pressure on clinicians were perceived barriers. To containing AMR in medical institutions, management of hospital infections, the public's knowledge of antibiotics' usage, routine education and multidisciplinary support would be facilitators. Practitioners from medical institutions were highly supportive for the NAP. Consideration of practitioners' perceived barriers and facilitators might enhance implementation of the NAP to contain antimicrobial resistance.

Theta/beta ratio in EEG correlated with attentional capacity assessed by Conners Continuous Performance Test in children with ADHD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children worldwide; however, diagnosing ADHD remains a complex task. Theta/beta ratio (TBR) derived from electroencephalography (EEG) recordings has been proposed as a potential biomarker for ADHD, but its effectiveness in children with ADHD remains controversial. Behavioral assessments, such as the Conners Continuous Performance Test-3rd edition (CPT-3), have been utilized to assess attentional capacity in individuals with ADHD. This study aims to investigate the correlation between TBR and CPT-3 scores in children and adolescents with ADHD. In a retrospective analysis, we examined patients regularly monitored for ADHD at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, who underwent both EEG and CPT-3 assessments. Severity of ADHD was evaluated using parent- and teacher-completed Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP)-IV rating scales. The study encompassed 55 ADHD patients (41 with abnormal CPT-3 scores, 14 with normal CPT-3 scores) and 45 control subjects. TBR demonstrated elevation in ADHD patients with abnormal CPT-3 scores, indicating its potential to represent attentional capacity akin to behavioral assessments like CPT-3. However, significant correlations between TBR values and CPT-3 variables or SNAP-IV rating scales were not observed. Moreover, TBR values exhibited considerable overlap across the groups, leading to diminished sensitivity and negative predictive value as a potential neurophysiological ADHD biomarker. While our study underscores the utility of both TBR and CPT-3 in assessing attentional capacity, their sensitivity in diagnosing ADHD is limited. A comprehensive evaluation, integrating clinical expertise, parental input, and detailed neuropsychometric tests, remains pivotal for a thorough and precise diagnosis of ADHD.

The Intervention to incentive the use of systemic-transdisciplinary tools.

The objective is incentive the use of transdisciplinary systemic tools (TD-ST) for the improvement of TD-ST skills and attitudes by educational intervention in graduate students. The main findings were a) Attributes of the students that improved days after of the intervention (p≤ 0.05) with the highest percentage of variation were happiness (39%), union (41%) and integration (31%), knowledge and appropriation of the tools (50%) and several application potentials (38%). b) The improved attributes were classified as medium changes (attention capacity (0.47), cognitive process (0.46), perceptive function (0.46), linguistic function (0.52), creativity (0.5), use of TD-ST (0.68) and their appropriation (0.65), integration (0.52), joy (0.51) and interest in the use of TD-ST (0.52)), and high changes (union (0.70) and knowledge of the TD-ST (0.75)). c) Students prefer to be taught TD-ST in a creative way using didactic material and real-world, everyday applications. Trainers of transdisciplinary researchers have to develop in ourselves and in our students, skills and attitudes transdisciplinary systemic, basic to the sustainability.

Curating Emergent Publics Through Domain Crossing

Audiences for messages divide attention among a variety of media outlets, sources, and venues. Such segmentation creates a challenge for message creators to (re)engage audiences’ attentional capacities. This research investigates how domain elites may curate emergent attentive publics for public affairs content by engaging in processes of domain crossing to potentially redirect audience attention. Conceptually, we contribute to historic and contemporary understandings of how societal leaders attempt to build engaged and attentive publics for their messages. Methodologically, we employ large data and network analytic methods to study the creation of emergent publics online around a pseudo-event. We illustrate how leader-directed domain crossing could overcome audience challenges in a fragmented media ecology.

An Exploration of the Memory Performance in Older Adult Hearing Aid Users on the Integrated Digit-in-Noise Test.

This study aimed to preliminarily investigate the associations between performance on the integrated Digit-in-Noise Test (iDIN) and performance on measures of general cognition and working memory (WM). The study recruited 81 older adult hearing aid users between 60 and 95 years of age with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss. The Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic (MoCA-BC) was used to screen older adults for mild cognitive impairment. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured using 2- to 5-digit sequences of the Mandarin iDIN. The differences in SRT between five-digit and two-digit sequences (SRT5-2), and between five-digit and three-digit sequences (SRT5-3), were used as indicators of memory performance. The results were compared to those from the Digit Span Test and Corsi Blocks Tapping Test, which evaluate WM and attention capacity. SRT5-2 and SRT5-3 demonstrated significant correlations with the three cognitive function tests (rs ranging from -.705 to -.528). Furthermore, SRT5-2 and SRT5-3 were significantly higher in participants who failed the MoCA-BC screening compared to those who passed. The findings show associations between performance on the iDIN and performance on memory tests. However, further validation and exploration are needed to fully establish its effectiveness and efficacy.

Modelling Working Memory Capacity: Is the Magical Number Four, Seven, or Does it Depend on What You Are Counting?

Limited attentional capacity is essential to working memory. How its limit should be assessed is a debated issue. Five experiments compare Cowan's 4-units and Pascual-Leone's 7-units models of limited working memory capacity, with presentation time and attention to operative schemes as potential explanations of this discrepancy. Experiments 1a-1c used the Compound Stimuli Visual Information (CSVI) task, with long versus brief presentation. Capacity was estimated with the Bose-Einstein model, assuming a different number of attending acts in each condition. Participants' k estimates in both conditions were highly correlated and the means were not different, indicating that the same capacity is assessed in both conditions. Experiments 2 and 3 used the 5000-msec CSVI, and the Visual Array Task (VAT) in two conditions (5000- vs. 120-msec presentation). Capacity in the VAT was estimated with Morey's Bayesian method. Participants' k estimates in both VAT conditions were correlated, but the mean was higher with long presentation, suggesting that the long condition benefits from recoding or chunking. The k estimate in the CSVI correlated with the short VAT and (to a lesser degree in Exp.2) with the long VAT. The mean estimate of k in the CSVI was one unit more than in the short VAT. We conclude that the CSVI and the short VAT tap the same capacity, one unit of which in the short VAT is allocated to an operative scheme; we discuss how Cowan's and Pascual-Leone's views on limited capacity can be reconciled.

Stai attento!

Attention is a fundamental aspect of our daily lives, enabling us to regulate our perception and action in response to the surrounding environment. This article explores the importance of attention in cognitive and neural terms, focusing on the brain networks involved in its regulation. Activation, selection, and control networks work to direct our attention towards relevant stimuli, providing a basis for processing and targeted action, as well as affective regulation. Attentional development begins in early childhood, with significant changes in attentional capacities occurring during childhood and adolescence. The role of attention in neurological and psychological disorders is also discussed, highlighting how attention deficits play a significant role in many pathological conditions and academic difficulties. Finally, the importance of understanding the neural bases of attention to develop effective interventions for addressing these disorders is emphasized.

Virtual reality reproducing outdoor audio-visual environments in nursing homes: exploring the restorative effects of soundscapes on the elderly

As many countries across the globe are fraught with challenges brought by aging populations, the issue of how the quality of the elderly's living environment and their health status are connected has captured widespread public attention. Previous studies have shown that the acoustic environment is closely associated with our health. The existing research on the acoustic environment of nursing institutions mainly focused on indoor environments, while this study aims to explore the restorative effects of the soundscape in the outdoor environment of nursing homes on the elderly. In the experiment, the outdoor audio-visual environment of the nursing home was reproduced in a laboratory environment using virtual reality technology. Subjects are provided with 360-degree visual information via a head-mounted display (HMD) and audio information with head-tracking technology through headphone-based 3D spatialized sound using first-order ambisonics (FOA). A within-subjects design was used to measure changes in participants 'mood levels, attention capacity, physiological and psychological responses, and perceived restorativeness (N=29). By comparing the data from audiovisual experiments and pure visual experiments, the restorative effects of soundscapes on the elderly in three typical outdoor scenarios of nursing homes were analyzed.

Evaluation of a School‐Based Attention Training Program for Improving Sustained Attention

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the impact of a theory‐driven cognitive attention training program, Keeping Score!, in improving students' sustained attention capacity. Training was based on sustained updating. Students engaged this process by mentally keeping score during an interactive game of table tennis without external aids. Students (9–11 years) were assigned to a 6‐week training program (n = 18) or an active control (n = 18). Assessments of sustained attention/working memory and parent ratings of executive function were completed at pretraining, post‐training, and 6‐week follow‐up. We found no evidence to support the efficacy of training (i.e., there was no statistically significant time × group interaction effects for any outcome). Overall, these findings add to the mixed body of literature supporting the efficacy of cognitive attention training for improving children's attentional capacity. One possibility for why the training program was unsuccessful is perhaps that cognitive attention training may not be sufficient for enhancing sustained attention.

Amidst the clamor: Effects of emergency department noise on Physicians' health and attention

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess effects of noise on physicians' stress levels and attention capacities within an emergency department. MethodsIn this prospective cross-sectional study, 15 physicians from a state hospital emergency department with 300,000 annual visits provided demographics, work factors, and physiologic data. Attention was evaluated through smartphone-based Stroop tests, while noise and heart rates were monitored via smartwatches. ResultsMedian physician age was 26, with 16 months' emergency department experience. Average sound intensity was 68.80 dB. Despite noise, physicians in green/yellow areas showed increased Stroop scores (p = 0.002). Heart rate responses correlated with noise changes. End-of-shift surveys highlighted physicians' adaptability and resilience to high noise levels. ConclusionNoisy emergency departments pose health risks to physicians, but noise-related stress did not significantly affect attention, beneficial for patient care.

RST: Rough Set Transformer for Point Cloud Learning.

Point cloud data generated by LiDAR sensors play a critical role in 3D sensing systems, with applications encompassing object classification, part segmentation, and point cloud recognition. Leveraging the global learning capacity of dot product attention, transformers have recently exhibited outstanding performance in point cloud learning tasks. Nevertheless, existing transformer models inadequately address the challenges posed by uncertainty features in point clouds, which can introduce errors in the dot product attention mechanism. In response to this, our study introduces a novel global guidance approach to tolerate uncertainty and provide a more reliable guidance. We redefine the granulation and lower-approximation operators based on neighborhood rough set theory. Furthermore, we introduce a rough set-based attention mechanism tailored for point cloud data and present the rough set transformer (RST) network. Our approach utilizes granulation concepts derived from token clusters, enabling us to explore relationships between concepts from an approximation perspective, rather than relying on specific dot product functions. Empirically, our work represents the pioneering fusion of rough set theory and transformer networks for point cloud learning. Our experimental results, including point cloud classification and segmentation tasks, demonstrate the superior performance of our method. Our method establishes concepts based on granulation generated from clusters of tokens. Subsequently, relationships between concepts can be explored from an approximation perspective, instead of relying on specific dot product or addition functions. Empirically, our work represents the pioneering fusion of rough set theory and transformer networks for point cloud learning. Our experimental results, including point cloud classification and segmentation tasks, demonstrate the superior performance of our method.

The acute psychological effects of screen time and the restorative potential of nature immersion amongst adolescents: A randomised pre-post pilot study

Excessive screen time can deplete the cognitive resources required for effective emotion regulation, such as sustained attention and inhibitory control. Contrastingly, time spent in natural environments encourages attention restoration and stress reduction. Therefore, time in natural environments may be important for buffering the psychological consequences of screen time. A randomised pre-post pilot study was undertaken to investigate the acute psychological effects of screen time in adolescents, and to explore the restorative potential of nature immersion. Eighty-seven adolescents (52% female, mean age = 15.5 years) participated in the study. Participants completed measures of mood, sustained attention capacity (Sustained Attention to Response Task), and inhibitory control (Stop-Signal Task) at three time-points: (1) at baseline, (2) after a 30-minute period of screen time, and (3) after a 20-minute period of rest. Participants were randomised to either an indoor setting or an outdoor environment (Botanic Gardens) for the rest period. Linear mixed modelling was used to examine the effect of time and resting condition on the outcome variables. A lack of change in baseline mood, sustained attention capacity, and inhibitory control was observed following the brief screen time period, which limited the ability to test the relative benefit of the outdoor vs indoor environment. The study demonstrated the feasibility of a novel and ecologically valid paradigm to test this relationship in school students, but future studies should look to apply the recommendations provided regarding altering the attentional demands of the screen time activity used. The potential for natural environments to benefit student wellbeing and performance remains an important area of continued research.

73 Do depression, anxiety, or stress moderate the relationship between simple attention, working memory and verbal learning?

Objective:Working memory is a vital construct in efficient verbal memory encoding (Cotton & Ricker, 2021). Working memory is impacted by attentional capacities (Riccio, Cohen, Garrison, & Smith, 2005). Mood symptoms impact efficient information processing and consolidation of memory (Hubbard, 2016; Lukasik, 2019). This study examines self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress as possible moderators of the relationship between working memory and a verbal list-learning task.Participants and Methods:Archival data from 415 adults (Mage= 56.10, SD=18.05; Medu= 15.5 SD=2.2; 53% female; 73% white) were collected at an outpatient clinic. Sex and race were not available in a small percentage of cases included in analyses. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 4th Edition Digit Span subtest was given to assess attention and working memory. Although Digit Span Forward is a measure of simple attention, not working memory, it was included in initial analyses because the subtest was given as a whole. The three components of Digit Span total, Forward, Backward, and Sequencing were also investigated separately, with the two latter scores being better representations of working memory. Learning was assessed via the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II) total T-Score (Trials 1-5). Mood was assessed via the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-42).Results:Results of a hierarchical linear regression showed a significant effect between total Digit Span performance and total learning on the CVLT-II in the Block 1 (F(3, 411)=14.383, p =<.001 , AR2=.095). Standardized beta weights and p-values for Digit Span Forward, Backward, and Sequencing were (ß=-.50, p=.374), (ß= .159, p=.009), and (ß=.210, p<.001) respectively. In Block 2, when the DASS variables were introduced, the model remained significant F(3,408)=2.602, p=.05 , AR2=.017). The DASS anxiety and stress subscales had significant beta weights in the model (ß=-.172, p=.015) and (ß=.144, p=.039) respectively, with depression being insignificant (ß=--.023, p=.724).Conclusions:Mood symptoms have been shown to be an important consideration when assessing working memory and verbal learning performance (Massey, Meares, Batchelor, & Bryant, 2015). Present results demonstrate that when accounting for working memory, anxiety and stress were significant predictors of performance on a measure of verbal learning. Additionally, as the components best representing working memory, Digit Span Sequencing and Backward were significantly correlated with verbal learning, whereas a measure best representing simple attention, Digit Span Forward, was not significantly correlated with verbal learning.

Visual-semantic network: a visual and semantic enhanced model for gesture recognition

Gesture recognition has attracted considerable attention and made encouraging progress in recent years due to its great potential in applications. However, the spatial and temporal modeling in gesture recognition is still a problem to be solved. Specifically, existing works lack efficient temporal modeling and effective spatial attention capacity. To efficiently model temporal information, we first propose a long- and short-term temporal shift module (LS-TSM) that models the long-term and short-term temporal information simultaneously. Then, we propose a spatial attention module (SAM) that focuses on where the change primarily occurs to obtain effective spatial attention capacity. In addition, the semantic relationship among gestures is helpful in gesture recognition. However, this is usually neglected by previous works. Therefore, we propose a label relation module (LRM) that takes full advantage of the relationship among classes based on their labels’ semantic information. To explore the best form of LRM, we design four different semantic reconstruction methods to incorporate the semantic relationship information into the class label’s semantic space. We perform extensive ablation studies to analyze the best settings of each module. The best form of LRM is utilized to build our visual-semantic network (VS Network), which achieves the state-of-the-art performance on two gesture datasets, i.e., EgoGesture and NVGesture.

A randomized controlled trial comparing two doses of emotion regulation therapy: Preliminary evidence that gains in attentional and metacognitive regulation reduce worry, rumination, and distress

BackgroundEmotion regulation therapy (ERT) promotes resilience in distress disorders by strengthening attentional and metacognitive capacities. Regulation skills are presented with the goal of ameliorating the perseverative negative thinking (PNT) that characterizes these disorders. This study tested ERT in a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of 16-session (ERT16) versus 8-session (ERT8) doses. MethodPatients (N = 72) endorsing elevated worry and/or rumination and meeting diagnostic criteria for a distress disorder were randomized to ERT8 or ERT16. PNT, anxiety/depressive symptoms, functioning/quality of life, and treatment mechanisms (attention shifting, attention focusing, decentering, reappraisal) were measured at pre, mid, and post treatment. Clinical symptom severity was also assigned via diagnostic interview at each timepoint. ResultsERT produced significant improvements across outcomes. ERT16 showed an advantage over ERT8 for distress disorder severity, worry, rumination, and attention shifting from pre-post treatment. Changes in ERT treatment mechanisms mediated changes in clinical improvement. ConclusionThese findings provide evidence of the effectiveness of two doses of ERT in reducing PNT and distress through improvements in regulation skills. Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT04060940.