Executive Function In People Research Articles

Neurocognitive training through VR and develop of Executive Functions in ASD

In this study we will focus on the transformative potential of neurocognitive training, particularly in the context of immersive virtual reality (VR), to promote the development of executive functions in people with ASD. This exploration will navigate current research findings by highlighting the innovative ways in which neurocognitive training, in combination with virtual reality technology, offers tailored interventions to address the unique challenges associated with executive function deficits in the population of individuals with ASD.

Comparison of executive functions in people with high and low resilience

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to compare executive functions in people with high and low resilience. MethodsBased on the results of a structured clinical interview and Connor- Davidson resilience Scale (CD-RISC), a total of 140 adults were assigned to high resilience (n = 70) and low resilience (n = 70) groups. Working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility were assessed by N-Back, Go/No-Go and Wisconsin Card Sorting task, respectively. ResultThe results showed that individuals with high resilience compared to individuals with low resilience scored significantly higher on inhibition and cognitive flexibility, but there were no significant differences on working memory. ConclusionThe current findings suggest a role of high-level cognitive processes in resilience, which in turn may contribute to mental health. Also, the results of this research may be important in the design of therapeutic interventions based on executive functions.

Executive Function After Yoga: Adults With Acquired Brain Injury-A Pilot Study.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) may result in deficits in executive function (EF), which affects engagement in occupations. To explore the impact of group yoga on EF in people with ABI. Single-arm pilot study with preyoga assessments and postyoga assessments (after 8 wk of yoga). Yoga classes and assessments were completed within university buildings on a college campus. Twelve participants with chronic ABI (>6 mo post-ABI) were recruited through convenience and purposive strategies from the local community. An 8-wk adaptive group yoga intervention was provided by an adaptive yoga specialist. Yoga classes were 60 min and occurred once per week. EF was assessed before and after the yoga intervention using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) self-report form. Normative data were analyzed with paired sample t tests. Nine participants completed all study procedures. Results from paired sample t tests showed significant improvements on the Behavioral Regulation Index of the BRIEF-A (p = .046). No significant improvements were found on individual EF scales, the Metacognition Index, or the Global Executive Composite (ps > .05). Group-based yoga may improve some aspects of EF for adults with chronic ABI; however, further research with larger sample sizes is needed. Plain-Language Summary: Yoga, an intervention increasingly used in occupational therapy practice, may be beneficial in improving behavioral regulation (an executive function) for adults with acquired brain injury.

Exploratory study of the prevalence of food addiction and its relationship with executive functioning, depression, and reinforcement sensitivity in a sample of Mexican adults.

The study of food addiction (FA) has become relevant due to its high prevalence, the negative impact on quality of life, and its association with neuropsychological and psychiatric symptoms. Several studies have provided scientific support for these associations, however, the results are contradictory. Additionally, studies have unsuccessfully elucidated the true nature of the failures in executive functioning in people with FA symptomatology, particularly when it comes to executive deficits. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to establish whether the presence of executive dysfunction, depressive symptoms and binge eating problems, as well as high reward sensitivity entails a greater severity in FA traits and high body mass index (BMI) in a sample of Mexican adults. The sample consisted of Mexican men and women between 21-59 years (n = 36); who completed self-report questionnaires and performance tests to measure the study variables. Additionally, BMI was estimated with self-reported height and weight. Our results showed that a high number of FA symptoms were associated with higher executive dysfunction scores, greater reward sensitivity, and more severe depressive and binge eating problems. Furthermore, factors that are more strongly associated with higher scores of FA include severe executive deficits, greater activation of the punishment avoidance system, and persistence in the search for reward when the depressive symptoms increased. The factors that best explained changes in the estimated BMI of women were a decreased crystallized intellectual capacity and the inability to control food intake as the number of FA symptoms increased. In summary, the cognitive functioning profile characterized by general failure of the executive functioning, as well as a greater activation of the Punishment Avoidance System and persistence in the search for reward, were associated with greater severity of FA symptoms, especially when the depressive symptomatology was severe. In parallel, the psychopathology in participants associated with FA confirms the contribution of anxious and depressive symptomatology and borderline personality traits which could facilitate the expression of clinically relevant FA symptoms in women. Finally, we found that decreased crystallized intellectual capacity and inability to control food intake were linked to higher BMI when the number of FA symptoms increased.

Self-report versus performance based executive functioning in people with psychotic disorders

BackgroundAlthough executive functioning is often measured using performance-based measures, these measures have their limits, and self-report measures may provide added value. Especially since these two types of measures often do not correlate with one another. It thus has been proposed they might measure different aspects of the same construct. To explore the differences between a performance-based measure of executive functioning and a self-report measure, we examined their associations in patients with a psychotic disorder with the following: other neurocognitive measures; psychotic symptoms; anxiety and depression symptoms, and daily-life outcome measures. MethodThis cross-sectional study consisted of baseline measures collected as part of a cohort study of people with a psychotic disorder (the UP'S study; n = 301). The Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning Adult version (BRIEF-A) was used to assess self-rated executive functioning, and the Tower of London (TOL) to assess performance-based executive functioning. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used with the appropriate distribution and link function to study the associations between TOL and BRIEF-A, and the other variables, including the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale-Remission (PANSS-R), the General Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9) and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Model selection was based on the Wald test. ResultsThe TOL was associated with other neurocognitive measures, such as verbal list learning (β = 0.24), digit sequencing (β = 0.35); token motor task (β = 0.20); verbal fluency (β = 0.24); symbol coding (β = 0.43); and a screener for intelligence (β = 2.02). It was not associated with PANNS-R or WHO-DAS scores. In contrast, the BRIEF-A was associated not with other neurocognitive measures, but with the PANSS-R (β = 0.32); PHQ-9 (β = 0.52); and GAD-7 (β = 0.55); and with all the WHODAS domains: cognition domain (β = 0.54), mobility domain (β = 0.30) and selfcare domain (β = 0.22). ConclusionPerformance-based and self-report measures of executive functioning measure different aspects of executive functioning. Both have different associations with neurocognition, symptomatology and daily functioning measures. The difference between the two instruments is probably due to differences in the underlying construct assessed.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group 12-week pilot phase II trial of SaiLuoTong (SLT) for cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

This study primarily aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SaiLuoTong (SLT) on cognition in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Community-dwelling people with MCI aged ≥60 years were randomly assigned to 180mg/day SLT or placebo for 12 weeks. Thirty-nine participants were randomized to each group (N = 78); 65 were included in the final analysis. After 12 weeks, the between-groups difference in Logical Memory delayed recall scores was 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22 to 2.58; P = 0.010); Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Trail Making Test Condition 4 switching and contrast scaled scores were 1.42 (95% CI: -0.15 to 2.99; P = 0.038) and 1.56 (95% CI: -0.09 to 3.20; P = 0.032), respectively; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test delayed recall was 1.37 (95% CI: -0.10 to 2.84; P = 0.034); and Functional Activities Questionnaire was 1.21 (95% CI: -0.21 to 2.63; P = 0.047; P < 0.001 after controlling for baseline scores). SLT is well tolerated and may be useful in supporting aspects of memory retrieval and executive function in people with MCI. SaiLuoTong (SLT) improves delayed memory retrieval and executive function in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).SLT is well tolerated in people ≥ 60 years.The sample of community dwellers with MCI was well characterized and homogeneous.

White matter abnormalities are associated with the declined ability of reasoning and problem-solving in major depressive disorder.

Executive function in people with depression is linked to the integrity of white matter fibers in the brain. We hypothesized that the maze tests in neuropsychological tests assessed reasoning and problem-solving abilities dependent on the integrity of brain white matter fibers, and assessed this relationship using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in depressed patients and healthy controls. Participants aged from 18 to 50 years were recruited from Zhumadian Second People's Hospital from July 2018 to August 2019. The sample included 33 clinically diagnosed individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 24 healthy volunteers (HVs). All subjects underwent Neuropsychological assessment battery (NAB) maze tests and DTI. Tract-based spatial statistics technology in FSL software was used to process DTI data, and threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE) was used to perform multiple comparison corrections. The fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter fibers in the MDD group and HVs group were compared and extracted. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between FA and NAB scores and HAMD scores. The mean NAB maze test score for the MDD group was lower than the HVs group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=11.265, p=.037). The FA value of the body of corpus callosum and cerebral peduncle right in the depression group was lower than that in the healthy control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<.05). FA value of the body of corpus callosum was positively correlated with NAB score (r=0.400, p=.036), but not with the HAMD score (r=0.065, p=.723). The decreased ability of reasoning and problem-solving in MDD may be due to the decreased integrity of the white matter fibers of the body of the corpus callosum.

Evaluation of the group intervention “Let’s Get Organized” for improving time management, organisational, and planning skills in people with mild intellectual disability

Background Limited time management skills cause problems in daily life for people with mild intellectual disability (ID) and “Let’s Get Organized” (LGO) is a promising manual-based occupational therapy group intervention aiming to support management skills. Aims/Objectives To evaluate the applicability of the Swedish version of LGO-S by i) exploring enhancements in time management skills, satisfaction with daily occupations, and aspects of executive functioning in people with time-management difficulties and mild ID, and ii) describing clinical experiences of using the LGO-S for people with mild ID. Material and methods Twenty-one adults with mild ID were included. Data were collected pre-/post-intervention and at 3- and 12-month follow-ups with: Swedish version of Assessment of Time Management Skills (ATMS-S), Satisfaction with Daily Occupation (SDO-13), and Weekly Calendar Planning Activity (WCPA-SE). There were few follow-up participants (n = 6-9). Results Significant change in time management skills that maintained at 12-months follow-ups. Significant increase in regulation of emotions at 12-month follow-up. Results at 12-months follow-up indicated sustainability in outcomes as measured by ATMS-S. A non-significant positive trend was observed in other outcomes between pre- and post-intervention. Conclusions and significance LGO-S seems applicable for improving skills in time management, organisation and planning also for people with mild ID.

The effects of strEngth aNd BaLance exercise on Executive function in people living with Dementia (ENABLED): Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundExercise may improve executive function among people living with all-cause dementia (PWD), but more evidence is needed. The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine whether exercise plus usual care improves the primary outcome of executive function, and secondary physiological (inflammation, metabolic aging, epigenetics) and behavioral (cognition, psychological health, physical function, and falls) outcomes compared to usual care alone among PWD. Methods and study designThe strEngth aNd BaLance exercise on Executive function in people living with Dementia (ENABLED) protocol is a pilot parallel, 6-month assessor-blinded RCT (1:1) in residential care facilities, including n = 21 receiving exercise plus usual care and n = 21 usual care alone [NCT05488951]. We will collect primary (Color-Word Stroop Test) and secondary physiological (inflammation, metabolic aging, epigenetics) and behavioral (cognition, psychological health, physical function, and falls) outcomes at baseline and 6 months. We will obtain falls monthly from medical charts. We will collect physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep via wrist-worn accelerometers over 7 days at baseline and 6 months. The physical therapist-led adapted Otago Exercise Program will involve 1-h of strength, balance and walking 3×/week for 6 months in groups of 5–7. We will use generalized linear mixed models to examine differences over time in primary and secondary outcomes between groups and examine potential interactions with sex and race. DiscussionThis pilot RCT will examine the direct effects and potential underlying physiological mechanisms of exercise on executive function and other behavioral outcomes in PWD, which may have implications for clinical care management.

COVID-19 severity is related to poor executive function in people with post-COVID conditions

Patients with post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) conditions typically experience cognitive problems. Some studies have linked COVID-19 severity with long-term cognitive damage, while others did not observe such associations. This discrepancy can be attributed to methodological and sample variations. We aimed to clarify the relationship between COVID-19 severity and long-term cognitive outcomes and determine whether the initial symptomatology can predict long-term cognitive problems. Cognitive evaluations were performed on 109 healthy controls and 319 post-COVID individuals categorized into three groups according to the WHO clinical progression scale: severe-critical (n = 77), moderate-hospitalized (n = 73), and outpatients (n = 169). Principal component analysis was used to identify factors associated with symptoms in the acute-phase and cognitive domains. Analyses of variance and regression linear models were used to study intergroup differences and the relationship between initial symptomatology and long-term cognitive problems. The severe-critical group performed significantly worse than the control group in general cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), executive function (Digit symbol, Trail Making Test B, phonetic fluency), and social cognition (Reading the Mind in the Eyes test). Five components of symptoms emerged from the principal component analysis: the “Neurologic/Pain/Dermatologic” “Digestive/Headache”, “Respiratory/Fever/Fatigue/Psychiatric” and “Smell/ Taste” components were predictors of Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores; the “Neurologic/Pain/Dermatologic” component predicted attention and working memory; the “Neurologic/Pain/Dermatologic” and “Respiratory/Fever/Fatigue/Psychiatric” components predicted verbal memory, and the “Respiratory/Fever/Fatigue/Psychiatric,” “Neurologic/Pain/Dermatologic,” and “Digestive/Headache” components predicted executive function. Patients with severe COVID-19 exhibited persistent deficits in executive function. Several initial symptoms were predictors of long-term sequelae, indicating the role of systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation in the acute-phase symptoms of COVID-19.” Study Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05307549 and NCT05307575.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Activation Therapy with Cognitive-behavioral Therapy based on Mindfulness on Cognitive Regulation of Emotion and Executive Functions in People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Comparing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Activation Therapy with Cognitive-behavioral Therapy based on Mindfulness on Cognitive Regulation of Emotion and Executive Functions in People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Symptoms and Executive Function in People With ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of MBIs (Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong) on symptoms and executive function (EF) in ADHD. Method: PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and CNKI databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of MBIs on symptoms and EF in ADHD. Data extraction and methodological quality evaluation were conducted by two researchers, and a meta-analysis was conducted by Stata SE. Results: The pooled meta-analyses of MBIs revealed a positive and small effect on inattention (g = −0.26), hyperactivity/impulsivity (g = −0.19), and EF (g = −0.35). Conclusion: Results suggest that MBIs have a significant improvement relative to the control condition. Although some results show that symptoms are affected by age, interventions, and total time of moderators, while EF is not affected by age and measurement, it needs to be supported by more research evidence. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)

Cholinergic system adaptations are associated with cognitive function in people recently abstinent from smoking: a (-)-[18F]flubatine PET study.

The cholinergic system is a critical mediator of cognition in animals. People who smoke cigarettes exhibit cognitive deficits, especially during quit attempts. Few studies jointly examine the cholinergic system and cognition in people while trying to quit smoking. We used positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging with the β2-subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (β2*-nAChR) partial agonist radioligand (-)-[18F]flubatine and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine to jointly examine the cholinergic system, smoking status, and cognition. (-)-[18F]Flubatine scans and cognitive data were acquired from twenty people who recently stopped smoking cigarettes (aged 38 ± 11 years; 6 female, 14 male; abstinent 7 ± 1 days) and 27 people who never smoked cigarettes (aged 29 ± 8 years; 11 female, 16 male). A subset of fifteen recently abstinent smokers and 21 never smokers received a mid-scan physostigmine challenge to increase acetylcholine levels. Regional volume of distribution (VT) was estimated with equilibrium analysis at "baseline" and post-physostigmine. Participants completed a cognitive battery prior to (-)-[18F]flubatine injection and physostigmine administration assessing executive function (Groton Maze Learning test), verbal learning (International Shopping List test), and working memory (One Back test). Physostigmine significantly decreased cortical (-)-[18F]flubatine VT, consistent with increased cortical acetylcholine levels reducing the number of β2*-nAChR sites available for (-)-[18F]flubatine binding, at comparable magnitudes across groups (p values < 0.05). A larger magnitude of physostigmine-induced decrease in (-)-[18F]flubatine VT was significantly associated with worse executive function in people who recently stopped smoking (p values < 0.05). These findings underscore the role of the cholinergic system in early smoking cessation and highlight the importance of neuroscience-informed treatment strategies.

Гетерогенность изменений исполнительных когнитивных функций при разном опыте употребления алкоголя

Executive functions are multidimensional cognitive processes, which are provided by prefrontal cortex of the brain and are involved in initiation and regulation of goal-oriented behavior. Current studies are showing that changes in executive functioning can be predictive for alcohol consumption, which, considering high social significance of unsafe alcohol use and dependence, determines the importance of the research on this issue. Results presented in this paper were obtained through validated methods for executive function assessment on a sample of 133 people with varied drinking experience, including 41 people with safe alcohol use and 92 with a diagnosed alcohol dependence. The study showed that people with alcohol dependence had significant changes in executive functions indicators, including those of cognitive control, cognitive flexibility, attention, and working memory, which were not observed in people with safe alcohol use. Changes in executive functions of people with alcohol dependence were found to be heterogeneous – 43.5 % of the surveyed with alcohol dependence had more pronounced impairments in attention with a fourfold increase in switching errors, which were also associated with higher impulsivity, non-adaptive emotional coping and a shorter remission. Results on the heterogeneity of executive functions in people with alcohol dependence expand the understanding of executive functioning and its dynamics in adulthood under the influence of various factors. Associations of pronounced attention impairments in alcohol dependence with impulsivity, emotional coping, and the duration of remission may advance psychological intervention including diagnostic and rehabilitation methods.

The role of Executive Functions in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Executive functions involve a set of complex cognitive abilities that have the task of programming and controlling other cognitive functions and modifying them according to circumstances in order to achieve a goal. They thus regulate cognitive processes, behaviour, and the management of emotions. It is now known that all mechanisms managed by executive functions are affected in numerous neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. In fact, it presents a variable symptomatology, affecting various cognitive, behavioural, motor and sensory aspects. The aim of this work was to delve into the subject of executive functions, and above all to analyse and explain the close link between executive functions and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Based on previous studies, this work shows a clear link between them. In particular, it appears that Autism Spectrum Disorder presents moderate deficits in all sub-domains of Executive Functions, and in particular visuospatial and inhibition-related Working Memory, and interference control. However, the literature still shows conflicting results, and further studies are needed to thoroughly evaluate the different subdomains of Executive Functions and the different forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder.&#x0D; &#x0D; Il ruolo delle Funzioni Esecutive in persone con Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico&#x0D; Le funzioni esecutive riguardano un insieme di abilità cognitive complesse il cui compito è quello di programmare e controllare altre funzioni cognitive e modificarle in base alle circostanze, al fine di raggiungere uno scopo. Esse regolano i processi cognitivi, il comportamento, e la gestione delle emozioni. È ormai noto che i meccanismi gestiti dalle funzioni esecutive, sono coinvolte nei disturbi del Neurosviluppo, tra cui il Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico. Infatti esso presenta una sintomatologia che riguarda diversi aspetti cognitivi, comportamentali, motori e sensoriali. L'obiettivo di questo lavoro è stato quello di approfondire l'argomento delle funzioni esecutive, e soprattutto quello di analizzare lo stretto legame che intercorre tra Funzioni Esecutive e Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico. Sulla base di studi precedenti, questo lavora evidenza un chiaro legame tra di essi. In particolare, il Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico presenta dei deficit moderati in tutti i sottodomini delle Funzioni Esecutive, ed in particolare della Memoria di Lavoro Visuo-Spaziale e quella legata al Controllo delle Interferenze. Tuttavia la letteratura mostra ancora risultati contrastanti, e necessita di ulteriori approfondimenti che vadano ad indagare i diversi sottodomini delle funzioni esecutive e le diverse forme di Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico.

Interaction of discourse processing impairments, communicative participation, and verbal executive functions in people with chronic traumatic brain injury.

IntroductionEspecially in the chronic phase, individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (IwTBI) may still have impairments at the discourse level, even if these remain undetected by conventional aphasia tests. As a consequence, IwTBI may be impaired in conversational behavior and disadvantaged in their socio-communicative participation. Even though handling discourse is thought to be a basic requirement for participation and quality of life, only a handful of test procedures assessing discourse disorders have been developed so far. The MAKRO Screening is a recently developed screening tool designed to assess discourse impairments. The test construction is based on psycholinguistic frameworks and the concept of macro-rules, which refer to cognitive functions responsible for organizing and reducing complex information (e.g., propositional content) in discourse.AimThe aim of our study was to investigate discourse processing in IwTBI in different tasks and to assess problems in communicative participation in the post-acute and chronic phase. In this context, we also aimed to analyze the influence of the severity of the initial impairment and the verbal executive abilities on the discourse performance. Additionally, the impact of macrolinguistic discourse impairments and verbal fluency on perceived communicative participation was targeted in our analysis.MethodsData from 23 IwTBI (moderate to severe) and 23 healthy control subjects have been analyzed. They completed two subtests of the MAKRO screening: Text production and Inferences. Discourse performance was examined in relation to measures of semantic fluency and verbal task-switching. Socio-communicative problems were evaluated with the German version of the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ).ResultsIwTBI showed lower test results than the control group in the two subtests of the MAKRO-Screening. Difficulties in picture-based narrative text production also indicated greater perceived difficulties in communicative participation (LCQ). We also found that the subject’s performance on the MAKRO-Screening subtests can partly be explained by underlying dysexecutive symptoms (in terms of verbal fluency and verbal task switching) and the severity of their injury. The preliminary results of our study show that cognitive-linguistic symptoms in IwTBI are also evident in the chronic phase. These can be detected with procedures referring to the discourse level, such as the MAKRO-Screening. The assessment of discourse performance should be an integral part in the rehabilitation of IwTBI in order to detect cognitive-linguistic communication disorders and to evaluate their impact on socio-communicative participation.

Effects of square-stepping exercise on executive function in individuals with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled pilot study

With the aging population, the incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) increases over time. In this study, a popular and interesting exercise called the square-stepping exercise (SSE) was chosen as an intervention for people with PD. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of SSE on cognitive function, especially executive function. Twenty-eight participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=14) or the control group (n=14). The duration of the intervention for both groups was 8 weeks, twice a week. The outcomes, including the trail making test, the digit span task, the Montreal cognitive assessment, and the Parkinson's disease questionnaire, were evaluated before the intervention, after the intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. The results showed that executive function improved significantly on the digit span task after SSE training. Consequently, SSE could be an effective intervention to improve executive function in people with PD.

Effects of a virtual reality serious game training program on the cognitive function of people diagnosed with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundCognitive impairment persists through the course of schizophrenia and affects patients’ activities of daily living.AimThis study aims to investigate the effects of a virtual reality (VR) serious game training program on the cognitive function of people diagnosed with schizophrenia.Materials and MethodsSixty-four eligible people diagnosed with schizophrenia were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 33). The control group received standard psychiatric care. The intervention group was trained with an additional VR game twice a day for at least 10 days during hospitalization. Cognitive function was measured at enrollment and before discharge using the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia.ResultsCompared with those of the control group, the results of the working memory (t = 3.463, Cohen’s d = 0.87, p = 0.001) and executive function (TMTA: Z = -2.272, Cohen’s d = 0.59, p = 0.023; TMTB:Z = -2.365, Cohen’s d = 0.62, p = 0.018) of the intervention group after intervention were significantly better. However, there was no significant difference in the results of social cognition (Z = -1.394, Cohen’s d = 0.35, p = 0.163) between the two groups.ConclusionIntensive active virtual reality serious game training in addition to standard psychiatric care can significantly improve working memory and executive function in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.Implications for PracticeWhen helping improve the cognitive function of people diagnosed with schizophrenia, mental health professionals should identify cognitive domains to be enhanced and develop corresponding serious game training strategies.

Exploring the Relationship of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Psychopathology and Executive functioning in People with Schizophrenia: A Pilot study

Exploring the Relationship of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Psychopathology and Executive functioning in People with Schizophrenia: A Pilot study

The The Role of Executive Functioning in Understanding Chronic Pain Experiences in Adolescence: A Pilot Multi-Method Study

Background: Optimal executive functioning is pivotal to successful self-management of chronic pain (e.g., by being able to adapt self-management behaviours to changing situations), thereby contributing to improved health-related quality of life. However, preliminary evidence points to impaired executive functioning in people with chronic pain. Despite adolescence being identified as a sensitive period for the development of appropriate self-management and executive functioning skills, little is known about the associations between chronic pain and executive functioning performance in adolescents. The aim of the study was to pilot a multi-method approach to compare executive functioning, chronic pain, and quality of life between adolescents with and without chronic pain. Methods: A sample of 22 adolescents with chronic pain (12-18 years, 82% female, mean chronic pain duration = 6.68 years) and 13 pain-free adolescents (age and sex matched) participated. All participants completed a battery of neuropsychological tasks to assess the three key executive functioning components (i.e., inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility) and provided self-report on their executive functioning, pain experiences and health-related quality of life. Results: In addition to confirming the feasibility of the methods, data revealed that 23-62% of adolescents with chronic pain showed problematic performance, using normative scoring, in all three executive functioning components and showed significantly lower performance on all three executive functioning components compared to pain-free adolescents. Self-reported, but not neuropsychologically assessed, working memory and emotional control difficulties were associated with more pain-related interference and lower health-related quality of life. Conclusion: These preliminary findings reveal the critical need to screen for and address any potential deficits in executive functioning in adolescents with chronic pain to optimise their self-management of pain and subsequent health-related quality of life. The findings also illustrate the feasibility of and need for future systematic, multi-method and prospective investigations in larger samples to further clarify the cyclical associations between chronic pain and executive functioning in adolescents.