Cognitive Tasks Research Articles

The effect of knee extension exercise on cognitive and computer skill performance in office workers

Objectives. This study compared cognitive and computer skill performances of employees in conventional and active sitting workstations using a new active footrest (AFR) for knee extension exercises (KEE). Methods. In this quasi-experimental study, 32 office workers aged 28–50 years (M 42.38, SD 4.21) from Kerman University of Medical Sciences were assessed. Participants’ performance was evaluated through three cognitive and three computer skill tasks across two sessions, utilizing crossover randomization in both simulated conventional and active (with AFR) workstations. The cognitive tasks involved working memory, selective attention and learning, measured via the two-back, Stroop color–word and serial color matching tests, respectively. The computer skill tasks included typing Persian text and mouse pointing performance assessed with GoFitts based on Fitts’ law. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22 at a significance level of 0.05. Results. There was no significant difference in cognitive and typing short-term performances between office workers in active and conventional workstations (p > 0.05). However, participants’ speed while performing mouse tasks in the active workstation was significantly lower than in the conventional workstation (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Results indicated that short-term work performance, except for mouse tasks, was not affected by performing simultaneous KEE.

Toward an Understanding of Developmental Language Disorder in Adults: Investigating the Relationship Between Cognitive Abilities and Linguistic Outcomes.

There is a growing body of research on developmental language disorder (DLD), but very few studies have focused on the role of cognitive abilities in adulthood. The present study explored the relationship between cognition and language in adults with and without DLD. Sixty participants, 30 language typical (LT) adults and 30 with DLD, completed a battery of online cognitive and language assessments. Cognitive tasks included language analytic ability (the ability to recognize the grammatical functions of sentence elements), nonverbal IQ, explicit learning of form-meaning pairings, implicit statistical learning, and speed of automatization. Language assessments included two grammar tasks (assessing morphosyntax) and vocabulary. Accuracy and reaction time measures were obtained for all tasks. Between-group differences demonstrated that language remains an area of difficulty for adults with DLD. Language analytic ability was a significant predictor of grammatical and vocabulary knowledge in the LT group and of grammar in the DLD group. In addition, we found that explicit learning of form-meaning pairings predicted linguistic outcomes in adults with DLD. We found small or no differences for all the other cognitive abilities; this is in line with previous studies that report a relative "catch up" in cognitive abilities in adults with DLD. Response times for the DLD group were slower in both linguistic and nonlinguistic tasks. Our results demonstrate that language difficulties in DLD persist into adulthood. Regarding cognitive measures, we show that language analytic ability is a key predictor of linguistic outcomes in both groups, and explicit learning of form-meaning pairings predicts grammar and vocabulary in the DLD group. These findings have important implications for clinical interventions, as they suggest that both implicit (fast, effortless, and unconscious) and explicit (slow, effortful, and conscious) processes are relevant to language. In addition, adults with DLD may require additional processing time in cognitive and linguistic tasks.

The simple view of reading in monolingual and language‐minority bilingual children learning to read in French or Italian: Evidence from a direct cross‐linguistic comparison study

BackgroundWe investigated how the language of schooling (French vs. Italian) and linguistic status [monolinguals vs. language‐minority bilingual children (LMBC)] interact with the main dimensions of the simple view of reading (SVR), namely, decoding (D) and listening comprehension (LC).MethodWe examined 265 children [French: n = 113; Italian: n = 152; monolinguals: n = 149; LMBC: n = 116; mean age in months: 116.91 (SD = 9.41), range of age in months: 88–136] attending Grades 3, 4 and 5 while performing oral language (i.e., verbal knowledge and morphosyntactic comprehension), reading (i.e., word, pseudowords and comprehension) and cognitive tasks (i.e., nonverbal intellectual functioning).ResultsLC emerged as the unique significant predictor of reading comprehension (RC). No significant interactions were observed between the language of schooling and linguistic status. Also, nonverbal reasoning resulted in concurrently predicting RC, together with LC. Ultimately, while the linguistic status did not have a direct impact on RC, its effect was mediated by LC.ConclusionsSVR similarly applies to monolinguals and LMBC schooled in French and Italian. Further, adding nonverbal reasoning can improve the explained variance of the model. Lastly, our results suggest that children's oral language skills mediate the impact of bilingualism on RC. This understanding can inform educational practices for bilingual students.

Characterizing changes to individual-specific brain signature with age

The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases in an aging population underscores the critical need for reliable biomarkers distinguishing normal aging from pathological neurodegeneration. This study leverages neuroimaging to identify age-resilient biomarkers, establishing a baseline of neural features that are relatively stable across the aging process. Our research objectives are threefold: (a) Validate a methodology using leverage scores to identify age-robust neural signatures; (b) Confirm the consistency of these features across a diverse age cohort (18-87 years); and (c) Assess the stability of individual-specific neural characteristics across multiple brain parcellations (Craddock, AAL, and HOA). Using functional connectomes data from resting-state and task-based fMRI, we found that a small subset of features consistently capture individual-specific patterns, with significant overlap (~50%) between consecutive age groups and across atlases. Our approach effectively minimized inter-subject similarity while maintaining intra-subject consistency across different cognitive tasks. The stability of these signatures throughout adulthood and their consistency across different anatomical parcellations provide new perspectives on brain aging. They highlight both the preservation of individual brain architecture and subtle age-related reorganization. These findings enhance our understanding of age-related brain changes, potentially aiding in differentiating normal cognitive decline from neurodegenerative processes.

Experienced meditators show greater forward traveling cortical alpha wave strengths.

Mindfulness meditation involves training attention, commonly toward sensory experiences, with nonjudgmental awareness. Theoretical perspectives propose that meditation increases the precision of sensory processing and reduces the generation/elaboration of top-down expectations. Research suggests forward traveling cortical alpha waves may reflect bottom-up inhibition to enhance signal-to-noise ratios of sensory processing, while backward traveling alpha waves may reflect top-down inhibition based on expectations. We used electroencephalography to test whether the strength of forward and backward traveling cortical alpha waves differed between meditators and a matched sample of nonmeditators during eyes-closed resting (N = 97) and during a visual cognitive (Go/No-go) task (N = 126). Our results showed meditators produced stronger forward traveling waves compared to nonmeditators while resting with their eyes closed and during task performance. Meditators also exhibited weaker backward traveling waves while resting with their eyes closed. These results may indicate a neural mechanism underpinning enhanced attention associated with meditation, as well as a potential neural marker of reductions in mind-wandering, suggested to be associated with meditation. The results also support models of brain function that suggest attention modification is achievable through mental training to increase sensory awareness, which might be indexed by the greater strength of forward traveling cortical waves.

The familiarity effect of Chinese stroke stimulus and imagery on contextual integration: Evidence from ERP correlates.

The neural process of contextual integration has been examined through the phenomenology of semantic incongruence of words. The present study investigated whether the effort of contextual integration would be heightened by the increased demand of selective attention and attention orientation to unfamiliar Chinese stroke style and sequence. It also examined whether visual imagery of unfamiliar stroke style and sequence would mitigate the effort of contextual integration of unfamiliar Chinese stroke. Nineteen participants take part in two cognitive tasks: (a) imagery of Chinese strokes and (b) detection of Chinese familiar and unfamiliar stroke style. An electroencephalogram was concurrently recorded for the analysis of event-related potential (ERP). Results revealed significant differences in attention orientation and effort of contextual integration between familiar and unfamiliar Chinese strokes, as indicated by larger amplitudes of N160 (100-200 ms) & P200 (260-380 ms) components. Furthermore, a larger amplitude of N400 (300-500 ms) component, signifying the neural process of integrating external from the context, was obtained when individuals viewed unfamiliar Chinese strokes. These findings suggest a cognitive effort was needed to process unfamiliar Chinese stimuli, followed by a greater mental effort required for contextual integration of the unfamiliar stimuli. Furthermore, top-down control of visual imagery would facilitate the process of contextual integration via generating internal representation. This finding provides a new insight that the effort expended in contextual integration may be associated with both attentional control and the generation of internal representation from long-term storage across visual stimuli with varying levels of stimulus familiarity. In summary, our study provided insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying attentional control, contextual integration, and the role of visual imagery in the processing of stimuli with different levels of familiarity. Furthermore, it suggested the potential utility of the N400 component as a biomarker for assessing attention control and memory retrieval functions.

Setting specific goals improves cognitive effort, self-efficacy, and sustained attention.

Investigating the efficacy of goal-setting strategies is critical in understanding how individuals regulate their behavior, particularly within cognitive tasks. The present study examines the impact of self-set versus experimenter-set goals and point incentives on performance across three experiments using two sustained attention tasks. In Experiment 1, we compared self-set and experimenter-set goals in the psychomotor vigilance task, hypothesizing that self-set goals would lead to better performance due to increased agency. No significant differences emerged in task performance between the two conditions. Participants who self-set their goals also set increasingly easier goal standards over time. Experiment 2 introduced a novel task paradigm "Green Means Go," modeled after the psychomotor vigilance task, and revealed faster reaction times in goal-setting conditions compared to a no-goal condition. Having a specific goal, either self-set or experimenter-set, was better for performance than having no goals. Experiment 3 allowed all participants to set their own goals and explored the influence of a points-based incentivization system on goal-setting tendencies. Those who received points set more difficult goals. Findings suggest that goal-setting mechanisms can enhance task performance and help reduce vigilance decrements, with potential implications for using goal-setting to elevate cognitive performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Differences in frontal cortical brain function between individuals suffering from pathological mental fatigue following acquired brain injury and healthy individuals.

Differences in frontal cortical brain function between individuals suffering from pathological mental fatigue following acquired brain injury and healthy individuals.

The effects of dual-task training on inflammatory biomarkers, physical performance, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The effects of dual-task training on inflammatory biomarkers, physical performance, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Exploring cognitive predictors of language in children with developmental language disorder: The role of nonverbal IQ, working memory, implicit statistical learning, and speed of automatization.

Exploring cognitive predictors of language in children with developmental language disorder: The role of nonverbal IQ, working memory, implicit statistical learning, and speed of automatization.

Individual Variability in Cognitive Engagement and Performance Adaptation During Virtual Reality Interaction: A Comparative EEG Study of Autistic and Neurotypical Individuals

Many studies have recognized that individual variability shapes user experience in virtual reality (VR), yet little is known about how these differences influence objective cognitive engagement and performance outcomes. This study investigates how cognitive factors (IQ, age) and technological familiarity (tech enthusiasm, tech fluency, first-time VR experience) influence EEG-derived cognitive responses (alpha and theta activity) and task performance (trial duration) during VR interactions. Sixteen autistic and sixteen neurotypical participants engaged with various VR interactions while their neural activity was recorded using a Muse S EEG. Correlational analyses showed distinct group-specific patterns: higher IQ correlated with elevated average alpha and theta power in autistic participants, while tech fluency significantly influenced performance outcomes only in neurotypical group. Prior VR experience correlated with better performance in the neurotypical group but slower adaptation in the autistic group. These results highlight the role of individual variability in shaping VR engagement and underscore the importance of personalized design approaches. This work provides foundational insights toward advancing inclusive, user-centered VR systems.

A focused review of saliva biomarkers in cognitive fatigue: Current challenges and future directions.

A focused review of saliva biomarkers in cognitive fatigue: Current challenges and future directions.

Category-biased patches encircle core domain-general regions in the human lateral prefrontal cortex.

Category-biased patches encircle core domain-general regions in the human lateral prefrontal cortex.

Current Practices and Experiences Accessing Care for Mental Health Issues of Inflammatory Arthritis Patients from the Rheum4U Precision Health Registry

ObjectivesTo understand how patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) currently obtain access to mental healthcare resources and identify strategies to enhance support during rheumatology clinic visits.MethodsPatients and healthcare providers participated in semi-structured interviews or focus groups. Patients were recruited from the Rheum4U Precision Health Registry using purposive sampling. Healthcare providers from 2 rheumatology clinics were approached in-person or by email to participate. Prior to interviews/focus groups, participants completed a survey with closed-ended questions about mental healthcare resources. The interviews/focus groups explored the use of mental health screening questionnaires and experiences of patients accessing mental healthcare resources themselves or through healthcare providers. Cognitive task analysis,[1] and service blueprinting,[2] organized and mapped current practices. The analysis will be used to create recommended care pathways, which will be later reviewed for feedback by participants.ResultsSix patients and 3 rheumatologists participated in interviews. Two allied health professionals and 5 nurses participated in interviews or focus groups. Four patients reported having anxiety/depression, 4 patients indicated they never discussed their mental health at rheumatology clinic visits, and none of them were using any mental healthcare resources at the time. All healthcare providers have referred patients to mental health resources, and almost all would like to discuss their patients’ mental health. Key findings included: Patients with strong social-support networks did not require assistance from healthcare providers to access resources. Some patients preferred to get assistance at the rheumatology clinic, while others consulted their general practitioner (GP), or were unsure of where to seek help for mental health concerns. After inquiring about mental health, clinic staff would refer patients to the social worker or provide relevant information. Some rheumatologists screened patients themselves to assess needs and resources and sometimes referred them to the social worker. Commonly used resources included employment assistance programs, community resources, mental health websites, and crisis lines. Rheumatologists sometimes informed their patient’s GP about mental health concerns through summaries sent via the electronic medical record system, but follow-up communication was often lacking. Figure 1 depicts a summarized journey of how patients with IA currently receive support for mental health concerns.ConclusionAccess to mental health resources for patients with IA varies significantly. Streamlining support for patients could involve allied health professionals assisting rheumatologists with screening, developing a quick reference guide with available resources, and enhancing communication between involved healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care. [1.] Clark R. Handbook of research on educational communications and technology. Springer Science &amp; Business Media; 2014:541-55. [2.] Bitner MJ. California Management Review 2008;50(3):66-94.

Disruptive Technology, Skills, and Tasks: Evidence from Indonesia

This paper examines relative prices of tasks following the recent and rapid adoption of new technologies in workplaces. In documenting the relationship between tasks, occupations and wages in Indonesia, we classify tasks into four groups: technological tasks; routine manual tasks; routine cognitive tasks; and non-routine interpersonal tasks. Labor supply model estimates reveal that a one standard deviation increase in non-routine interpersonal tasks correlates with a 4.1% wage increase, while the same increase in routine manual tasks results in a 2.5% wage decrease. The research presents mixed findings on technology's employment effects: firms with high technological intensity tend to employ fewer high-skilled workers, suggesting complementarity between current technology and low-skilled labor. Conversely, highly innovative firms are more likely to employ high-skilled workers, indicating a complementarity between innovation and high-skilled labor. Overall, these findings align with task pricing patterns observed in developed countries, contributing to the understanding of technology's impact on labor markets in developing economies.

Validation of the state-brief-penn state worry questionnaire.

Validation of the state-brief-penn state worry questionnaire.

Leveraging digital technologies to enhance patient safety

Abstract Aims This study aims to examine how digital technologies can be safely and effectively integrated into clinical practice to enhance patient safety, with a particular focus on emergency department triage. Background Patient safety remains a persistent challenge in high-pressure environments such as emergency care. The complexity of clinical workflows, cognitive demands on healthcare professionals, and system-level constraints often contribute to patient safety risks. While digital tools such as Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) offer promise, their impact depends on how well they align with real-world decision-making processes. Methods A Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) was conducted with triage nurses in the emergency department (ED) of Malta’s main acute hospital. The study involved semi-structured interviews and direct observations to elicit the cognitive challenges, decision strategies, and contextual constraints experienced during triage. Findings were synthesised into a Cognitive Demands Table to identify sources of risk and variation in decision-making. Results The CTA revealed key challenges affecting patient safety at triage, including cognitive overload, incomplete information, reliance on intuition, protocol deviations, communication gaps, and fatigue. These findings informed the development of a conceptual framework comprising six pillars essential for safe digital integration: governance and policy alignment, human-centred design, clinical validation, digital literacy, interoperability, and continuous monitoring. Conclusion Digital technologies have the potential to significantly improve patient safety, but their effectiveness depends on thoughtful integration into clinical environments. This study highlights the importance of designing digital systems that are context-aware, ethically governed, and co-developed with end users. The proposed framework offers practical guidance for healthcare leaders, developers, and policymakers seeking to embed safety into the digital transformation of care.

Effects of postural loading during static posture holding on concurrent executive function task performance.

Effects of postural loading during static posture holding on concurrent executive function task performance.

Lower- versus higher-order suicide-related attentional processing measures as predictors of adolescent suicide ideation and attempt.

Lower- versus higher-order suicide-related attentional processing measures as predictors of adolescent suicide ideation and attempt.

Sport Burnout in Student-Athletes: The Role of Cognitive Flexibility, Task and Ego Orientation in Sport and Sport Anxiety

This study examined the mediating role of sport anxiety, task, and ego orientation in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and sport burnout. The study participants consisted of 397 sport high school students, 155 female (39%) and 242 male (61%). The ages of the students participating in the study ranged from 13 to 19 (x̄=16.26, SD=1.218). Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire, Sports Anxiety Scale, and Sports Burnout Inventory were used to collect data for the study. According to the findings of this study, sport anxiety and ego and task orientation factors mediate the relationship between cognitive flexibility and sport burnout. Sport high school students with high cognitive flexibility effectively cope with the anxious situations they encounter in sport. These students with reduced sport anxiety and increased ego and task orientation tend to experience reduced sport burnout due to perceiving stimuli in their environment as less disturbing. To protect students from sport burnout, the school curriculum and preventive strategies should be designed to reduce sport anxiety and ego orientation and increase task orientation. Extending cognitive flexibility and task orientation learning outcomes in high school sport programs can help protect students from burnout and improve their functionality in sport. Considering the effect of team sport enhancing task orientation, including more team sport in addition to individual sport in sport high schools will be effective in preventing sport burnout.