Cognitive Support Research Articles

Enhancing adolescent mental health through cognitive and social support: Insights from study on depression in Chinese adolescents

Adolescent depression is a growing global health concern, affecting 14% of adolescents and leading to severe consequences such as academic failure, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The study by Yu et al , investigates the cognitive and social factors influencing depression in 795 Chinese adolescents. Findings reveal that negative life events (NLEs) and dysfunctional attitudes are strongly associated with depressive symptoms, while social support moderates the impact of NLEs but not dysfunctional attitudes. The study highlights the need for cognitive-behavioural interventions targeting perfectionism and autonomy, and the importance of strengthening social support systems in schools and communities. Culturally sensitive, holistic approaches to adolescent mental health are crucial for addressing both the internal vulnerabilities and external pressures contributing to depression. Further research is needed to explore the roles of peer and parental support and the long-term effects of these factors across diverse cultural contexts.

Development and Impact of a Cognitive Reserve Enhancement Program for Climacteric Korean Women

ABSTRACT Background In light of the rising incidence of mild cognitive impairment in women, an appropriate cognitive reserve enhancement program is urgently needed for women experiencing climacteric symptoms. Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive reserve enhancement program for climacteric women based on cognitive reserve theory (CRT) and to verify its effectiveness. Methods A nonequivalence control group, pre- and post-quasi-experimental design was used. The 58 climacteric women with subjective memory deterioration enrolled as participants were divided into the experimental group (28 women), which received a 24-session CRT-based cognitive reserve enhance program, and the control group (30 women), the members of which received the cognitive training via a mobile application after completion of the study. Valid data from 24 experimental and 26 control participants were available for analysis. Objective cognitive functions, including overall cognitive, memory, attention, and language, were measured pretest and posttest using the following tools: Everyday Cognition Scale (subjective cognitive function), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (depression), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (quality of life). Results The experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in overall cognitive function (t = 3.82, p = .001), memory (t = 2.63, p = .012), attention: number of correct answers (t = 2.12, p = .040), language high-frequency response speed (Z = −2.49, p = .013), and language low-frequency response speed (Z = −2.77, p = .006) in objective cognitive function after 8 weeks in comparison to the control group. Conclusions/Implications for Practice The intervention program tested in this study to enhance cognitive reserve in climacteric women includes cognitive training, emotional and social support, and group physical activity components was found to be effective in enhancing cognitive function.

Reproducing the caress gesture with an anthropomorphic robot: a feasibility study.

Social robots have been widely used to deliver emotional, cognitive and social support to humans. The exchange of affective gestures, instead, has been explored to a lesser extent, despite phyisical interaction with social robots could provide the same benefits as human-human interaction. Some studies that explored the touch and hugs gestures were found in literature, but there are no studies that investigate the possibility of delivering realistic caress gestures, which are, in turn, the easiest affective gestures that could be delivered with a robot. The first objective of this work was to study the kinematic and dynamic features of the caress gesture by conducting experimental acquisitions in which ten healthy volunteers were asked to caress the cheek of a mannequin in two conditions, i.e., standing and sitting. Average motion and force features were then analyzed and used to generate a realistic caress gesture with an anthropomorphic robot, with the aim of assessing the feasibility of reproducing the caress gesture with a robotic device. In addition, twenty-six healthy volunteers evaluated the anthropomorphism and perceived safety of the reproduced affective gesture by answering the Godspeed Questionnaire Series and a list of statements on the robot motion. The gesture reproduced by the robot was similar to the caress gesture performed by healthy volunteers both in terms of hand trajectory and orientation, and exchanged forces. Overall, volunteers perceived the robot motion as safe and positive emotions vere elicited. The proposed approach could be adapted to humanoid robots to improve the perceived anthropomorphism and safety of the caress gesture.

Integrating augmented reality and LLM for enhanced cognitive support in critical audio communications

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) missions are often time-sensitive and accuracy-dependent, requiring rapid and precise information processing in noisy, chaotic environments where oral communication can lead to cognitive overload and impaired decision-making. Augmented Reality (AR) and Large Language Models (LLMs) offer potential for enhancing situational awareness and lowering cognitive load by integrating digital visualizations with the physical world and improving dialogue management. However, synthesizing these technologies into a real-time system that effectively aids operators remains a challenge. This study explores the integration of AR and GPT-4, an advanced LLM, in time-sensitive O&M tasks, aiming to enhance situational awareness and manage cognitive load during oral communications. A customized AR system, incorporating the Microsoft HoloLens2 for cognitive monitoring and GPT-4 for decision making assistance, was tested in a human subject experiment with 30 participants. The 2×2 factorial experiment evaluated the effects of AR and LLM assistance on task performance and cognitive load. Results demonstrated significant improvements in task accuracy and reductions in cognitive load, highlighting the effectiveness of AR and LLM integration in supporting O&M missions. These findings emphasize the need for further research to optimize operational strategies in mission critical environments.

Feasibility of a Multimodal Prehabilitation Program Before Elective Knee and Hip Arthroplasty in Older Adults

ObjectivesHip osteoarthritis and knee osteoarthritis cause significant disability and pain in older adults, often leading to hip or knee replacement surgery. Prehabilitation programs have been established for these surgeries, but there are few programs for orthogeriatrics. We evaluated the feasibility of a new multimodal prehabilitation program (MPP) for older adults before hip or knee replacement due to arthrosis: the Prehabilitation for Os (PRE4OS) study. DesignWe conducted a multicenter feasibility study in the Greater Paris area. Setting and ParticipantsEligible adults were ≥75 years old awaiting hip or knee replacement with at least a 6-week delay before surgery and able to participate in the MPP follow-up. The MPP included weekly hospital sessions providing nutritional, psychological, functional, and cognitive support, along with weekly home sessions featuring physiotherapist visits. MethodsThe primary outcome was at least 80% of 1-day hospital (ODH) sessions performed by 80% of participants. Secondary outcomes included intervention achievement, quality of life, and nutritional and functional status changes. Participant's satisfaction was qualitatively assessed via structured phone interviews presurgery and at 30 days postsurgery. ResultsFrom September 2021 to September 2023, a total of 27 individuals participated in the PRE4OS study. The mean (SD) age was 83 (4.3) years, with 7 males (26%) and median baseline Activities of Daily Living score 5.5 (interquartile range 5.5–6.0). Surgeries were for insertion of hip prosthesis in 17 participants (63%) and knee prosthesis in 10 (37%). The primary outcome was achieved in 89% of participants, with comparable rates for hip and knee prostheses. In total, 60% of participants rated the MPP as “excellent” presurgery and 100% at 30 days postsurgery, expressing a willingness to recommend the protocol to a friend or family. Conclusion and ImplicationsThe MPP was feasible for individuals before hip or knee replacement and was well received. Further randomized trials are needed to assess its clinical impact.

Mandating Women Board Members in Sport Organizations: Change via Coercive Institutional Pressure

Boosting board representation of women redresses structural unfairness and improves corporate governance and performance. The Change Our Game initiative, running over 3 years statewide in Victoria, Australia, mandated 40% representation of women on state sport boards. At the start, only 44% of state sport boards had 40% women representation; by the mandate deadline, this had increased to 93%. Using an institutional theory lens, the authors qualitatively analyzed four stakeholder groups: mandators, policy champions, operationalists, and mandate targets. Stakeholder sentiments were analyzed pre- and postmandate deadline over 3 years. Sentiments ranged from positive to equivocation to denigration. The mandate’s coercive pressure, supported by institutional legitimacy and work to accelerate changes, led to institutional change and achieved a significant increase in women board members. Change was grounded in strong ethical and cognitive support from mandate champions. Microsocial expressions of denigration and change resistance did not prevent successful change.

Factors associated with financial exploitation in older adults: A systematic review

ObjectivesThis systematic review aimed to identify and analyze factors associated with financial exploitation in older adults. MethodsA comprehensive search strategy was implemented in December 2023, across three major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), along with Google Scholar as a search engine, without restrictions on publication year. Quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and CONSORT tool. ResultsAmong the initial 985 articles identified, 26 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in the USA and had a cross-sectional design. Key factors identified included cognitive function, depression and emotional health, physical health, social support and interpersonal relationships, living arrangements, race, and personality traits. ConclusionThis review highlights the complex factors linked to financial exploitation in older adults, with cognitive function, depression, and social support as key predictors. However, inconsistencies in age, marital status, and substance use call for further research. Targeted interventions are essential to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Advocating individual-based profiles of elite athletes to capture the multifactorial nature of elite sports performance

Elite athletes are high-performance outliers within their specific sports. Even though science seeks to understand the nature of expertise and elite performance, much knowledge remains compartmentalized within subdisciplines. Despite this multidimensionality being acknowledged, an interdisciplinary approach to understanding elite athletes is still rare. This paper synthesizes insights across scientific domains in order to describe the population and individual characteristics of elite athletes. We analyzed diagnostic data from approximately 300 German squad athletes across eight different sports (e.g., gymnastics, volleyball, ice hockey, 3 × 3 basketball etc., agefemale = 18.95 ± 4.84 years, agemale = 19.32 ± 4.19 years) with expertise values ranging from 2 (low expertise) to 16 (high expertise). Data covered muscular strength, lower-body dynamics, muscle-power genetics, blood micronutrients, basic cognitive function, mental health, social support, and training conditions. Results of logistic regressions identified basic cognitive function (B = 0.89) and well-balanced blood micronutrients (B = 1.22) as critical factors distinguishing elite athletes. Additionally, multiple linear regressions suggested that lower-body dynamics (ß = 0.72) is related to increasing expertise values. We examined interactions between determinants of elite performance, and found that social support is positively associated with mental health and training conditions, whereas muscular strength correlates with lower-body dynamics. Focusing on top elite athletes in contrast to semi-elite athletes, we found higher within-group similarities in basic cognitive function and blood micronutrients. Findings indicate the need for a systemic, individualized, and comprehensive model using individual-based profiles.

Reported roles of care partners in a specialized weaning centre-perspectives of patients, care partners, and health care providers.

Care partners are individuals chosen by a person with an illness to support their care during hospitalization. Patients with persistent critical illness have longer than average critical care admission and often other conditions including dysphagia, communication vulnerability, severe physical deconditioning, the need for an artificial airway, and difficulty weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. Family presence has been identified as important for patients experiencing persistent critical illness in specialized weaning centers. Despite this, the role of care partners in clinical settings for patients with persistent critical illness has not been fully characterized, particularly from the perspectives of patients, care partners, and health care providers. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the roles of care partners during persistent critical illness from the perspectives of patients, care partners, and health care providers. We used qualitative descriptive methodology including semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Included participants (n = 30) were patient survivors (n = 7), care partners of patient survivors (n = 9), and professionally diverse health care providers (n = 14) of adult patients with persistent critical illness from two specialized units in one community academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Participants across all groups described care partner roles that included physical, mental health, cognitive, social, and spiritual support of the patient, including the perceived role of safeguarding the multiple dimensions of care for the patient who is experiencing persistent critical care in specialized care settings. The results of this study are being used to co-design, implement, and evaluate a sustainable care partner program that is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to implement in clinical settings where the care of patients with persistent critical illness occurs. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ).

The burden of executive dysfunction after ischemic stroke (Bulgaria, 2019-2021)

Abstract Background Executive dysfunctions have great impact on behavior and quality of life in elderly. They also play important role for post-stroke functional outcome. The aim of our study was to examine the frequency, severity and types of executive dysfunctions at the third month after the ischemic stroke. Methods We examined 108 patients 3 months after ischemic stroke (66.67±9.03 years old, 66 males and 42 females) via 128-Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). WCST is a standardized instrument for detecting various executive dysfunctions. It is applicable for patients after stroke, because the test doesn’t require preserved arm motor functions. It measures global executive functioning (GEF), inhibitory control system (ICS), executive attention (EA), cognitive flexibility (CF) and working memory (WM). Our patients’ results were compared to the normal population test results. SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis. Results Impaired GEF were found in 46% of our patients, most of them had mild or moderate impairment. One fourth of them showed impaired ICS, although the impairment in most of the cases was mild. EA deficits were found in 43% of our cases (17% had mild, 15% mild to moderate, 7% moderate and 4% severe impairment). WM dysfunction was found in 1/3 of them (the average result was about 27 percentiles; 29% had mild and 5% had mild to moderate deficits) and about ¼ of our patients had borderline results. CF was impaired in 68% of our patients (11% had mild, 28% mild to moderate, 16% moderate and 13% severe impairment). Conclusions GEF impairment is frequent after stroke. Patients had problems in ICS, EA, CF and WM. However, in most of the cases the dysfunction is mild or moderate and can be found only if it is actively searched and accessed. The most impaired functions were CF and EA. Patients with executive dysfunction require cognitive rehabilitation and specific social support. Key messages • Executive dysfunctions are frequent after ischemic stroke. The impairment is mild or moderate, but however it impacts the quality of life, behavior, prognosis and outcome of post-stroke survivors. • Patients with executive dysfunctions require specific cognitive rehabilitation and social support.

Effects of Cognitive Flexibility, Prosocial and Problem Behaviours, Parenting Style and Social Support on Social Adaptation Among Children With Leukaemia: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach.

Leukaemia children often encounter various social adaptation issues stemming from changes in their living environment. Identifying and optimising the factors associated with social adaptation is crucial in improving social adaptation in children with leukaemia. To investigate social adaptation in children with leukaemia and to clarify the impact pathway of cognitive flexibility, problem behaviour, prosocial behaviour, parenting style and social support on social adaptation. Using a convenience sampling method, 264 leukaemia children completed a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using the Social Adaptation Assessment Scale for Children with Leukaemia, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, Short-Egna Minnenav Barndoms Uppfostran and Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Structural equation modelling was used to test the influencing factors of social adaptation. Social support directly influenced social adaptation (β = 0.19, p < 0.01) and indirectly influenced social adaptation through prosocial behaviour (β = 0.06, p < 0.01) and problem behaviour (β = 0.18, p < 0.01). Prosocial behaviour (β = 0.17, p < 0.01) and problem behaviour (β = -0.61, p < 0.01) directly influenced social adaptation. Negative parenting directly influenced social adaptation (β = 0.12, p < 0.01) and indirectly influenced social adaptation (β = -0.23, p < 0.01) through problem behaviour. Our finding indicated that there are prominent social adjustment problems in the recovery process of children with leukaemia. These findings suggest that targeted education is needed to enhance social adaptation among children with leukaemia. The final model should serve as a framework to guide intervention research targeting social support and negative parenting to improve the social adaptation of children with leukaemia. During the recovery process, nurses need to regularly follow up on the children's social adaptation and encourage them to participate in social activities to increase social support while providing family guidance based on improving parenting styles. The subjects of this study were children with leukaemia aged 8-18 years. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

School support, perceived value and teachers' digital training adaptability: A multilevel moderated mediation model

AbstractDigital training has significantly transformed the landscape of teacher professional development, introducing various uncertainties. In this context, adaptability can play a crucial role in helping teachers cope with stress and effectively navigate new and changing scenarios. However, existing research on adaptability has not adequately addressed the specific challenges and opportunities presented by digital training, nor has it thoroughly explored the interplay between external factors and individual characteristics. Therefore, this study is based on job demands‐resources (JD‐R) theory to explore the school‐level (school support) and individual‐level (perceived value) predictors that influence teachers' digital training adaptability (DTA) and their mechanisms of action through hierarchical linear model. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to 552 teachers from 55 schools who had participated in digital training. The results of multilevel regression analyses show that (1) emotional support and cognitive support have a significant positive effect on teachers' DTA; (2) perceived value plays a mediating role in the relationship among emotional support, cognitive support, and teachers' DTA; and (3) emotional support weakens the relationship between perceived value and teachers' DTA, but cognitive support enhances this relationship. The study discusses these results further to propose feasible recommendations for building a community that improves the support system and adopts evidence‐based policy‐making to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of training, thereby improving teachers' DTA.

Participation in medication safety of older-adult patients with chronic disease during the transition from hospital to home: a descriptive qualitative study

BackgroundMedication safety issues occur frequently among older-adult patients with chronic diseases during the transition from the hospital to their homes. Patient participation in medication safety has been found to be an effective measure for improving patient safety. However, few studies have been conducted on the safety of older-adult patients with chronic disease during the hospital to family transition period. This study aimed to understand the experiences and perceptions of such patients regarding participation in medication safety during the hospital to family transition period and to explore the actual situation and obstacles during this period in the Chinese context.MethodsA descriptive, qualitative research approach was adopted using purposive sampling. Eighteen patients with chronic disease (aged 61–84 years) participated, all of whom were in the period of transition from hospital to home. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed using directed qualitative content analysis.ResultsFour themes and 12 sub-themes were identified in this study. The four themes were participation in medication decision-making, participation in medication self-management, participation support, and barriers to patient participation.ConclusionsPatient participation is important in ensuring medication safety during the hospital to family transition period. This study highlights that older-adult patients’ participation in medication safety includes three aspects: participation in medication decision-making, participation in medication self-management, and participation support. Health literacy, medical communication, and family care support are the key factors affecting patient participation in medication safety. Effective intervention strategies for this patient group during the transition period would target improving patients’ cognition, health literacy, doctor-prescription communication, and family care support to encourage patients to be more actively involved in the process of drug treatment.

A systematic analysis of neurologic manifestations of Long COVID in Nigeria.

Long COVID, also called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) affects millions of people in the world. The neurologic manifestations of PASC (Neuro-PASC) are among the most debilitating but they are largely unreported in Africa. We sought to compare the demographics, symptoms and cognitive profile of post-hospitalization Neuro-PASC (PNP) and non-hospitalized Neuro-PASC (NNP) patients in Nigeria. In this cross-sectional study performed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, 106/2319 (4.6%) SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals contacted via telephone reported Neuro-PASC symptoms with a higher frequency in PNP than in NNP individuals ((23/200 (11.5%) vs. 83/2119 (3.9%), p = < 0.0001). The predominant neurologic symptoms at any time during the disease course were difficulty remembering / brain fog (63/106; 59.4%), fatigue (59/106; 55.7%), sleep problems (34/106; 32%), headache (33/106; 31%), paresthesia (12/106; 11.3%), and myalgia (10/106; 9.4%). Of 66 participants with Neuro-PASC who underwent in-person neurological evaluation and cognitive screening, all had normal scores on the Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans cognition screen, while 11/65 (16.9%) that completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment had results consistent with mild cognitive impairment (3/16 PNP (18.8%) and 8/49 NNP (16.3%); p = 1.0). Finally, 47/66 (71.2%) had digit span test scores consistent with mild cognitive dysfunction (12/16 PNP (75%) and 35/50 (70%) NNP; p = 1.0). Our findings reveal the previously unrecognized occurrence of Neuro-PASC among COVID-19 survivors in Nigeria and highlight the need for improved screening and diagnosis of Neuro-PASC in our population. Development of cognitive support services for persons suffering from Neuro-PASC in Nigeria is warranted.

Cognitive support for political partisans' understanding of policy data.

Political partisanship might lead educated adults-even the highly numerate-to reason selectively about numbers that are relevant to and support their ideology ("motivated numeracy"). In this pre-registered study, we sought to examine the replicability of motivated numeracy, and investigate whether cognitive support (number lines) that improves the reasoning of children might also improve the reasoning of political partisans. To test this, we asked 1000 adults about their political ideology and asked them to interpret fictional data, in a table or number-line format, about ideology relevant (i.e., the effect of gun control on crime) or irrelevant (i.e., the effect of skin cream on rash) issues. We failed to replicate motivated numeracy when political identity was used but observed motivated numeracy when prior attitude was used. Moreover, data presented on number lines elicited 75 percent greater accuracy than data presented in tables, regardless of whether the information was ideology-relevant, or whether data supported, was neutral to, or contradicted participants' political outlooks. Findings imply that political partisans require cognitive support to be more objective about policy data.

APPLICATION OF COMPUTERISED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH STROKE CONSEQUENCES

A stroke is a sudden onset of focal or generalized impairment of brain function due to vascular causes only, which is related to cerebral blood flow and lasts for more than 24 hours. Cerebral stroke remains the second leading cause of death and the third most significant cause of disability in the world. Over the past 30 years, the absolute number of cases of this disease has increased by 70%, the prevalence by 85%, with a 43% increase in mortality rates. According to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) analysis, in 2019, there were about 12.2 million stroke cases, 143 million disability-adjusted life years and 6.6 million deaths worldwide, 86% of which occurred in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Purpose to analyse and systematise the use of computerised technologies in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke consequences. Materials and methods. To achieve the objectives of the research, the researchers analysed scientific literature and systematised information using electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and others. Research results. Traditional methods have proven their effectiveness and are widely used in the practice of rehabilitating patients after stroke. However, with the development of science and technology, there is a need to find new approaches to therapy that can provide a more comprehensive and effective treatment of this pathology. Today, computerized technologies deserve special attention in the rehabilitation of patients after stroke, namely robotic systems, specially designed video games and virtual reality, and TV rehabilitation. Robotic systems are devices that automate various tasks and processes. They can be programmed to perform certain functions with high accuracy and repeatability. In rehabilitation, such systems help to restore motor functions, support physical activity, and facilitate recovery from injuries or illnesses, including stroke. Video games and virtual reality technologies are examples of exciting and fun rehabilitation for stroke patients. Traditional therapies can be complex and tedious to repeat, making it less likely that patients will do them at home. Physical therapists are finding that video games are more engaging and easier to incorporate into home treatment regimens. Tele-rehabilitation after stroke is a form of remote medical care that allows patients to receive rehabilitation services via the Internet or other telecommunication technologies. This provides access to the necessary therapy regardless of the patient's place of residence. Conclusions. Computerized technology significantly improves the rehabilitation of patients with stroke. Robotic systems provide high precision and control during movements, which avoids incorrect exercise and reduces the risk of re-injury, regularity of training, and patient comfort. In addition, many robotic systems have built-in sensors that allow you to track the patient's progress and provide feedback to both the patient and the doctor. This helps to adjust the rehabilitation programme according to the patient's needs. The use of video games and virtual reality in stroke rehabilitation offers numerous benefits, including increased motivation, improved motor and cognitive function, psychological support, and social interaction. Tele-rehabilitation after stroke is an innovative approach to patient recovery, providing access to rehabilitation services regardless of where they live.

Personal Resources for Psychological Well-Being in University Students: The Roles of Psychological Capital and Coping Strategies.

In recent years, research has noted the increasing prevalence of mental health problems among university students. The current mental health needs of the university population, along with the multitude of stressors they face, have increased the importance of examining their psychological well-being and determining the personal resources that effectively promote it. In this context, the present research aims to analyze the roles of psychological capital (PsyCap) and coping strategies as personal resources that are significantly related to the psychological well-being (PWB) of university students. Specifically, the mediating roles of various coping strategies (both adaptive and maladaptive) in the relationship between PsyCap and PWB are explored. The study involves 391 university students from Spain. The results show partial mediation effects of adaptive coping strategies (cognitive restructuring and social support) on the relationship between PsyCap and PWB. Likewise, PsyCap is shown to be a direct positive predictor of adaptive coping strategies and PWB, as well as a direct negative predictor of maladaptive coping strategies (self-criticism). Therefore, it is concluded that PsyCap and some adaptive coping strategies serve as valuable personal resources that predict PWB in university students. PsyCap is also associated with a lower tendency to engage in maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-criticism. Similarly, the use of cognitive restructuring and/or social support is related to high levels of PWB among university students.

You're More Resilient Than You Give Yourself Credit For: Building Resilience in Times of Change and Challenge

This article examines the concept of resilience and strategies for building resilience at the individual and organizational levels. It defines resilience as the ability to withstand challenges and adapt to change. The article explores how cultivating certain cognitive habits and support systems can enhance individual resilience. These include maintaining an adaptive mindset, developing strong social networks, finding purpose in one's work, and prioritizing self-care, especially during stressful periods. It also analyzes how structural elements and cultural dynamics within an organization can build its resilience. Attributes like flexible structures that enable adaptation, learning-oriented cultures, a clear sense of shared purpose, and resilient leadership styles are linked to an institution's capacity to manage challenges. The article provides practical recommendations for developing resilience through practices such as strengthening social connections, rewarding risk-taking and growth, openly acknowledging uncertainties, and role modeling resilient behaviors. It argues that proactively building resilience reserves empowers individuals and organizations to survive difficulties and emerge stronger.

Soundscape Composition in the Framework of Cognitive Systems

After more than fifty years of development, soundscape composition has evolved from its initial purposes of education and archival work into a significant branch of contemporary music creation. With the advancement of recording technology, digital audio processing tools, and computer music software, the creative means of soundscape composition have been greatly expanded. At the same time, soundscape composition requires composers to make comprehensive use of multiple fields such as technology, art, science, society and culture. However, this also introduces more complex creative challenges, as composers may need to efficiently coordinate the use of various tools in multitasking environments and manage multidimensional interactive scenarios, which demands higher levels of cognitive ability and clearer workflow. This paper aims to discuss my own soundscape composition project within the framework of cognitive theories (extended mind and distributed cognition), in order to explore underdeveloped perspectives on the practice and learning of soundscape composition. This perspective may provide soundscape composers with a richer cognitive theoretical foundation and potential methodological support in the creative process, helping composers or researchers understand the dynamic cognitive processes of soundscape composition based on an analysis of the entire environment.

Novel multimodal sensing and machine learning strategies to classify cognitive workload in laparoscopic surgery

BackgroundSurgeons can experience elevated cognitive workload (CWL) during surgery due to various factors including operative technicalities and the environmental demands of the operating theatre. This can result in poorer outcomes and have a detrimental effect on surgeon well-being. The objective measurement of CWL provides a potential solution to facilitate classification of workload levels, however results are variable when physiological measures are used in isolation. The aim of this study is to develop and propose a multimodal machine learning (ML) approach to classify CWL levels using a bespoke sensor platform and to develop a ML approach to impute missing pupil diameter measures due to the effect of blinking or noise. Materials and MethodsTen surgical trainees performed a simulated laparoscopic cholecystectomy under cognitive conditions of increasing difficulty, namely a modified auditory N-back task with increasing difficulty and a verbal clinical scenario. Physiological measures were recorded using a novel platform (MAESTRO). Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were used as direct measures of CWL. Indirect measures included electromyography (EMG), electrocardiography (ECG) and pupil diameter (PD). A reference point for validation was provided by subjective assessment of perceived CWL using the SURG-TLX. A multimodal machine learning approach that systematically implements a CNN-BiLSTM, a binary version of the metaheuristic Manta Ray Foraging Optimisation (BMRFO) and a version of Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) called Optimal Completion Strategy (OCS) was used to classify the associated perceived CWL state. ResultsCompared to other state-of-art classification techniques, cross-validation results for the classification of CWL levels suggest that the CNN-BLSTM and BMRFO approach provides an average accuracy of 97% based on the confusion matrix. Additionally, OCS demonstrated a superior average performance of 9.15% in terms of Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) when compared to other PD imputation methods. ConclusionPerceived CWL levels were correctly classified using a multimodal ML approach. This approach provides a potential route to accurately classify CWL levels, which may have application in future surgical training and assessment programs as well as the development of cognitive support systems in the operating room.