Subjects In Experimental Group Research Articles

Effects of Specific Training Using a Rowing Ergometer on Sport Performance in Adolescents

The main purpose of this study was to study the effects of a specific rowing ergometer training program on the athletic performance of young adolescents (N = 56; 11.73 ± 1.4 years old) compared to a workout based on general strength training. An eight-week training program was implemented, with four sessions per week and two hours per session. The sample was divided into two groups: a control group (CG) that performed circuit training with exercises aimed at building general strength and an experimental group (EG) who focused on specifically training on a rowing ergometer (rowing machine). The data obtained in a rowing meter test over the competition distance were analyzed to obtain the average power attained (W) at the beginning of the training, at the middle (4 weeks), at the end of the training (8 weeks) and one year after the experimentation. The results show that although both forms of training improve the average W obtained in both categories, the EG subjects (+29.94 W) obtained better averages in all phases of the study compared to the CG (+5.88 W). Furthermore, this increase was greater in male rowers (+34.06 W) than in female rowers (+24.54 W). These results reveal that a specific rower rowing ergometer training program has a more significant effect than a general strength program and these effects can even be observed a year after the intervention.

Evaluation of a Course to Teach Medical Students Latent Hazard Identification in the Operating Room.

To improve situational awareness in the operating room (OR), avirtual online operating room of hazards (ROH) with deliberately placed risks was created. We hypothesized that subjects first participating in the virtual online ROH would identify more hazards during an in-person ROH exercise in a physical OR than those in the control group who only received didactic training. We conducted a randomized controlled trial at a major academic medical center, enrolling 48 pre-clinical medical students with no previous OR exposure during their classes. Control and experimental group subjects participated in a brief, online didactic orientation session conducted live over Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc., San Jose, CA) to learn about latent hazards in the OR. Experimental group subjects further interacted with a virtual onlineoperating ROH in which latent hazards were present. The fraction of deliberately created latent hazards placed in a physical, in-person OR identified by subjects was calculated. Experimental group subjects identified a significantly larger fraction of the created hazards (41.3%) than the control group (difference = 16.4%, 95% CI: 11.3% to 21.4%, P < 0.0001). There was no difference in the number of non-hazards misidentified as hazards between the groups. Participation in the virtual online environment resulted in greater recognition of latent operating room hazards during a simulation conducted in a physical, in-person OR than in a didactic experience alone. Because creating an in-room experience to teach the identification of latent hazards in an OR is resource-intensive and requires removing the OR from clinical use, we recommend the virtual online approach described for training purposes. Adding items most misidentified as hazards is suggested for future implementation.

REALITY THERAPY THROUGH GROUP COUNSELING TO IMPROVE SELF-REGULATED LEARNING OF THESIS DRAFTING STUDENTS

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Researchers intend to conduct research to provide intervention in the form of providing reality therapy in group counseling activities to improve self-regulated learning in thesis preparation students. The expected benefits of this study consist of two, namely theoretically in this study can contribute to the science of educational psychology, regarding the concepts of reality therapy and self-regulated learning. This study used an experimental design with untreated control group design with dependent pretest and posttest. In addition, researchers also added follow-up to test the effect of reality therapy on self-regulated learning after 2 weeks of therapy. Based on data analysis and discussion conducted in this study, it can be concluded that reality therapy through group counseling can improve self-regulated learning in thesis drafting students, especially students who are research subjects in experimental groups.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

An innovative approach in physical education: Exploring the impact of interactive virtual reality on motor skills

Background Problems: Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology have expanded its practical application in enhancing physical activity and motor skill acquisition among children. Research Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of interactive virtual reality software on the motor skills of 11- to 12-year-old elementary school children. Methods: Employing a quantitative approach with quasi-experimental methods, the research was conducted on 34 students from Lontar 481 Public Elementary School in Surabaya, selected through purposive sampling. The instruments used in the physical education learning process using virtual reality media include pre-test and post-test stages, which combine understanding of motor skills, practice, and evaluation by the teacher based on the correctness, fluency, and completeness of student actions. The procedure involved the treatment of experimental group subjects using virtual reality for 40 minutes in the control group, which was carried out conventionally. It was analysed using SPSS via a t-test, and the significance level was set at P &lt; 0.05. Findings/Results: These findings showed a significant positive impact of virtual reality technology on students' motor development and confidence in performing movements, compared to the control group who underwent traditional learning. Conclusion: Research shows that utilising virtual reality programmes increases students' confidence in learning physical activities, especially for those at lower performance levels. The novelty of this research lies in its demonstration of virtual reality's capacity to improve children's motor competence in the context of physical education. Overall, the findings of this study contribute to physical activity and motor skills regarding the use of virtual reality media for elementary school children.

Effectiveness of Psychosocial Intervention on Selected Psychological Problems of Post Menopausal Women

Background: Women are the vital set up and heart of the family. The menopausal problems of women always make them so tired. So they need menopausal care and prevention of problems. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention on selected psychological problems of post-menopausal women at B. V. V. Sangha's Akkanabalaga, Bagalkot. Methodology: This was a randomized controlled trail with pre-test post-test control group design. A Simple Random sample of 60 post-menopausal women was selected from B. V. V. Sangha’s Akkanabalaga, Bagalkot. Socio demographic information of post-menopausal women was gathered using structured socio demographic profile and depression and anxiety were assessed using Center for Epidemiological Research Studies- Depression Scale and the General Anxiety Disorder- 7 Scale respectively. Data were analyzed in terms of objectives of the study. Findings: Result indicates that majority of the post-menopausal women of both experimental group (73.33%) and control group (70%) were mild depressive and the majority of post-menopausal women of both experimental group (63.33%) and control group (73.33%) had moderate anxiety. A statistically significant difference was found between post-test depression scores of experimental group and control group subjects [t=6.01, p&lt;0.05]. Similarly, there was a statistically significant difference found between post-test anxiety scores of experimental group and control group subjects [t= 6.72, p&lt;0.05]. No significant association was found between pretest depression and anxiety scores with selected socio demographic variables of post-menopausal women of both experimental group and control group. Conclusion: The finding of the study concluded that the post-menopausal women had psychosocial problems. The implementation of Psychosocial Intervention Programme to the experimental group has decreased their anxiety and depression effectively as compared to control group. Keywords: Post menopausal women, selected psychological problems, Effectiveness, Psychosocial Intervention and Socio-demographic variables.

Dialogue embedded synectics model of teaching: a hybrid model for promotion of creativity

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the effect of the dialogue embedded synectics model of teaching on the creative thinking of students.Design/methodology/approachThe research design of the study was a nonequivalent control group design of quasi experimental research. This study collected data from 80 students in the seventh grade from two different government schools in Bathinda, Punjab, India, which were selected using a random method. The subjects of experimental group were taught by the investigator using the dialogue embedded synectics model of teaching and the subjects of control group were taught by their teacher using the traditional teaching method, i.e. the Herbartian method. The data collections were done using the creative thinking test developed by Baqer Mehdi (1995). The data analysis techniques used t-test.FindingsKey finding indicates that the dialogue embedded synectics model of teaching is effective in enhancing the creative thinking of students as compared to the traditional method.Originality/valueThe present work is unique in terms of development of an innovative pedagogy, i.e. the dialogue embedded synectics model of teaching, which has the potential to encourage students' creative thinking, a key concern for society in the 21st century. Therefore, it is suggested to conduct similar type of studies on this innovative pedagogy and this model of teaching may be used by teachers for enhancing creative thinking of seventh class students.

#19 : Green Tea Extract Inhibits Endometriosis Progression by Increasing Superoxide Dismutase Serum Levels in the Rat Models

Background and Aims: Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and affecting 10-15% of females of reproductive age. Oxidative stress has been reported as one of the main promoting factors of this disease. Green tea and its anti-angiogenic and antioxidant properties have promising potential to prevent the progression of endometriosis. This study aims to investigate the effect of green tea extract on endometriotic implant area and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in endometriosis rat models. Method: Twenty-six Balb/c female rats were randomized into two groups of equal size: experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). All subjects in EG were given green tea extract 3 mg daily for 14 days. Endometriosis was induced on the fourteenth day in all subjects in both groups. The data of the endometriotic implant area and serum SOD were obtained and analyzed fourteen days after the induction of endometriosis. Results: The endometriotic implant area of the group treated with green tea extract was significantly lower (p=0,022) RR=0,455, 95%CI=0.065-0,96) compared to the control group. The serum level of SOD in EG and CG were 5.33±0.52 ng/ml and 5.20±0.91 ng/ml, respectively (p=0.507). Conclusion: Green tea extract inhibits endometriotic implant progression and increases the level of serum SOD in endometriosis-induced rat models.

Effects of pumpkin on benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta- analysis

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition affecting aging men worldwide. Pumpkin and its extracts are enriched with antioxidant, anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory properties.Objectives: To systematically review the effect of pumpkin on the reduction of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to bladder outflow obstruction in BPHMethods: The review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020181395) perused PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and AGRICOLA databases in two rounds independently by two reviewers according to three screening questions: being a pumpkin related human study, having BPH related outcomes and including quantifiable measurements. Risk of bias assessments were done with GRADE and ROBINS-I Criteria. After assessing the clinical, methodological and statistical heterogeneity, meta-analysis was performed for one outcome with mean difference (MD) using Inverse Variance Method with Review Manager 5.4 software.Results: Out of the 242 articles with de-duplication and screening questions, 10 based on interventional studies among adult males with LUTS were selected in ??third round (8 on pumpkin seeds alone; 2 on pumpkin combined products). International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) was described in nine articles. Other outcomes assessed were quality of life (QOL), prostate volume, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), uroflow rate, post-voidal residual volume, frequency of micturition during day and night, nocturia and erectile dysfunction. Meta-analysis of three studies (650 and 631 subjects in experimental and control groups) was performed for IPSS reduction. Pooled MD (I2=0%) was -1.41 (95% CI: -1.97, -0.85) with random effect assumption. In all relevant studies, the intervention group demonstrated significant IPSS reduction and increased QOL. One study each demonstrated significant reduction in prostate volume and residual volume; three studies in uroflow rate; and none on PSA improvement.Conclusions &amp; Recommendations: Pumpkin seeds may be beneficial in reducing IPSS and to some extent in improving prostate and residual volume, uroflow rate and QOL in BPH. Further studies are needed to strengthen the hypothesis.

Psychological guidance of Marxist spirit based on dialectical thinking for students with bipolar depression

BackgroundBipolar depression refers to bipolar disorder that occurs when depression and mania coexist. The onset of this disease is easily influenced by the patient’s negative attitude. Marxism under dialectical thinking has a good psychological guiding effect.Subjects and MethodsIn order to verify the psychological guidance effect of the Marxist spirit under dialectical thinking on students with bipolar depression, the study will select 80 students with bipolar depression for comparative experiments. The students are randomly divided into two groups, one group being a blank group, which only received traditional treatment. The other group is the experimental group, which adopts a combination of traditional treatment and Marxist spiritual education of dialectical thinking. The experimental period is 30 days. Before and after the experiment, patients filled out the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). The psychological status of the two groups of experimental subjects was analyzed based on the results of the table.ResultsBefore the start of the experiment, the HAMA scores of the blank group and the experimental group were 16.52 ± 2.12 and 16.61 ± 1.89, respectively, and the HAMD scores were 17.46 ± 2.36 and 16.92 ± 3.21, respectively. After the experiment, the HAMA scores of the blank group and the experimental group were 14.56 ± 2.68 and 11.56 ± 3.15, respectively, and the HAMD scores were 14.76 ± 1.79 and 11.38 ± 2.73.ConclusionsUnder dialectical thinking, the Marxist spirit can improve the psychological state of students with bipolar depression.AcknowledgementThe 2021 project of the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Philosophy and Social Sciences in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province (No. 2021GZSZ16); The 2022 Party Building Research Project of Guangzhou Institute of Navigation (No. C2206001028).

Психофизиологические особенности взаимодействия с пугающим образом в виртуальной реальности

INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality (VR) technology, which is often used to generate situations of psychotherapeutic exposure, is presented to practitioners as a convenient visualization tool. However there is a risk of a distorted interpretation of the virtual experience by the client, in that case the stabilization of adaptive behavior and reduction of anxiety in contact with the object of the specified fear in the real world will not occur. AIM: To study the psychophysiological correlates of the emotional state arising in the situation of visual observation of a frightening virtual image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of the study, a psychophysiological experiment was organized with the participation of 60 volunteers (10 boys, 50 girls, average age is 21) who made up experimental (persons with a history of identified fears) and control (conditionally healthy persons) samples. The experiment used controlled immersion of subjects in VR with a frightening virtual image with preliminary, accompanying and delayed removal of psychophysiological indicators of electroencephalogram and electrocardiogram, as well as using methods of psychodiagnostics. RESULTS: The study established the existence of a specific psychophysiological reaction in the experimental group of subjects in contact with a frightening virtual image represented as statistically marked fluctuations in heart rate and respiratory rate, as well as delta and alpha rhythms. In the subjects of the control group, this reaction is less marked and does not have a clearly defined specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of interacting with a frightening virtual image when immersed in VR, according to the results obtained, is sufficiently consistent with the experience of interacting with a similar object in reality. The conclusion is made about the validity of the use of VR for the formation of correctional programs for working with anxiety-phobic symptoms.

Burnout prevention in healthcare professionals during COVID-19.

Burnout syndrome represents the pathological outcome of a stressful process that mainly affects the "helping professions". During the COVID-19 pandemic, pressure on healthcare systems has led to an increase in psychological distress among healthcare workers. The aim of this study is to verify whether the practice of relaxation techniques in healthcare workers can improve emotional balance and stem burnout. A small sample of 40 female rehabilitation therapists were divided into two groups (20 experimental group subjects and 20 control group subjects). The Maslach Burnout Inventory was administered to both groups, after informed consent, to highlight the correlation between working hours exceeding 30 hours per week and burnout, by subjecting the experimental group to mindfulness sessions between T0 and T1. The data analysis highlighted a decrease in burnout in the experimental group after the mindfulness sessions. The findings suggest that these relaxation techniques can be effective in stemming burnout and promoting psychological well-being. It is therefore possible to hypothesize that such increased and prolonged activities could show a more evident and statistically significant improvement.

Empowering Subject Matter Awareness through Exploratory Practice: Embracing Practitioner Research in the AI Era

A noteworthy challenge encountered among university EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners lies in their deficiency pertaining to subject matter awareness, a crucial dimension of self-directed learning. This deficiency mainly hampers their ability to effectively deploy critical thinking strategies. This issue has been further exacerbated by the prevalent trend of students heavily relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for various educational tasks. To address this multifaceted challenge, this experimental research was conducted within a Lebanese English medium university. The core objective of the study was to cultivate students' subject matter awareness by integrating the Exploratory Practice [EP] instructional approach into their writing classes. The research encompassed two distinct groups: an experimental group and a control group. In-depth exploration was pursued using a mixed-methods approach. The outcomes of the study highlighted a significant transformation within the experimental group's subject matter awareness. In conclusion, this study underscores the imperative of nurturing students' subject matter awareness. Through skillful incorporation of EP into writing classes, educators can cultivate a revitalized sense of self-directedness and cultivate critical engagement within learners. This strategic integration not only equips them with essential skills but also empowers them to navigate the complex educational landscape infused with AI.

An experimental study of the carbohydrate exchange method combined with aerobic exercise to intervene in the physical health of obese college students

Abstract The purpose of investigating the carbohydrate exchange method in combination with aerobic exercise for obese college students is to help college students have better bodies to cope with their academic life. This paper introduces the qualitative and quantitative analysis technique based on near-infrared spectroscopy, starting from the analysis of the carbohydrate exchange method, and explains the physical, mathematical, and chemical information bases, respectively. A NIR detection model is constructed using the NIR spectroscopy detection method, and the main evaluation indexes of the model are given. Three experimental groups, namely, carbohydrate exchange method, aerobic exercise, and carbohydrate exchange method combined with aerobic exercise were set up to investigate the physical health interventions for obese college students. In the single test, the FPG, BUN, TC, and HbA1c values of the subjects in the carbohydrate exchange experiment group were reduced by 18.61%, 17.33%, 11.09%, and 18.16%, respectively. The FPG, BUN, TC, and HbA1c values were reduced by 23.42%, 18.84%, 11.62%, and 13.48%, respectively, in subjects in the aerobic exercise experimental group. From the carbohydrate exchange method combined with the aerobic exercise experimental group, the subjects’ FPG, BUN, TC, and HbA1c values were reduced by 28.38%, 22.24%, 11.27%, and 27.4%, respectively, which was a better level of intervention than the single experimental group. Thus, the carbohydrate exchange method combined with aerobic exercise can be an effective intervention for the physical health of obese college students.

Natural Remedy in Reduction of Morning Sickness among Antenatal Women

Natural remedy in reduction of morning sickness among antenatal women ABSTRACT Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a condition with significant adverse effects on health of mother and fetus that warrants recognition, investigation and treatment. Morning sickness is believed to be due to high levels of pregnancy hormones secreted by placenta. Objectives of the study was to assess the severity of morning sickness for antenatal women in experimental and control group and to assess the effectiveness of natural remedy in reducing the severity of morning sickness. An experimental research was done with 40 antenatal women, in first and second trimester, attending outpatient department in K. G Hospital, Coimbatore, and were divided into experimental and control group. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. Data collection was done by using a self-designed structured questionnaire and modified Rhodes index scale. The experimental group subjects were provided with 250 mg of powdered ginger and half teaspoon honey, given four times daily for 4 days. The severity of morning sickness was reassessed after the treatment. Control group subjects received only routine care. Analysis was done by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed there is a significant difference between the pre test score and post test score on severity of morning sickness among experimental group subjects ( t=17.83). After consuming ginger the severity of morning sickness was reduced in experimental group when compared to control group (Z=9.4). Thus the study is concluded that consumption of ginger reduces the severity of morning sickness among antenatal women.

Maximal oxygen uptake prediction from submaximal bicycle ergometry using a differential model

The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) estimation has been a subject of research for many years. Cardiorespiratory measurements during incremental tests until exhaustion are considered the golden yard stick to assess VO2max. However, precise VO2max determination based on submaximal tests is attractive for athlete as well for clinical populations. Here, we propose and verify such a method based on experimental data. Using a recently developed model of heart rate (HR) and VO2 kinetics in graded exercise tests, we applied a protocol, which is terminated at 80% of the estimated maximal HR during ergometer cycling. In our approach, initially, formula for maximal HR is selected by retrospective study of a reference population (17 males, 23.5 ± 2.0 years, BMI: 23.9 ± 3.2 kg/m2). Next, the subjects for experimental group were invited (nine subjects of both sexes: 25.1 ± 2.1 years, BMI 23.2 ± 2.2 kg/m2). After calculation of maximal HR using cardiorespiratory recordings from the submaximal test, VO2max is predicted. Finally, we compared the prediction with the values from the maximal exercise test. The differences were quantified by relative errors, which vary from 1.2% up to 13.4%. Some future improvements for the procedure of VO2max prediction are discussed. The experimental protocol may be useful for application in rehabilitation assessment and in certain training monitoring settings, since physical exertion is not a prerequisite and the approach provides an acceptable VO2max estimation accuracy.

Research on the innovation path of teaching interior design majors in universities based on big data analysis

Abstract Presently, the teaching of interior design in most higher education institutions still uses more traditional and conservative teaching methods, which to some extent, hinders the reform of interior design teaching in the era of big data. Interior design originally required students to grasp the operation fully and use CAD, 3D, and other design software, which makes the operation of complex commands, and model construction diversity, difficult for students to learn. This situation still uses the traditional lecture-based indoctrination teaching can play a very small role. This paper first focuses on the field of interior design education, based on the background of the times, provides a deep overview of the current situation of the relevant research involved in interior design, and explains the purpose, ideas, content, and methods of this paper. Secondly, we use data mining technology to build a smart classroom to visually present interior design. Finally, a comparison experiment between the traditional teaching mode of interior design and the smart teaching mode of big data is carried out, and three groups of experimental subjects are investigated after nearly one month of teaching experience. The results of this study show that the big data wisdom teaching model proposed in this paper compared with the traditional teaching model, through the one-month teaching experience post-test results, the average increase of 7 points in school A, 11 points in school K, and 14 points in school Z. The wisdom teaching system based on big data built in this paper enhanced the relevance and initiative of interior design students’ learning, improved students’ interest in learning and classroom efficiency and promoted students’ comprehensive ability while playing a positive and active role.

Amygdala downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized, double-blind trial

Hyperactivation of amygdala is a neural marker for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improvement in control over amygdala activity has been associated with treatment success in PTSD. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial we evaluated the efficacy of a real-time fMRI neurofeedback intervention designed to train control over amygdala activity following trauma recall. Twenty-five patients with PTSD completed three sessions of neurofeedback training in which they attempted to downregulate the feedback signal after exposure to personalized trauma scripts. For subjects in the active experimental group (N = 14), the feedback signal was from a functionally localized region of their amygdala associated with trauma recall. For subjects in the control group (N = 11), yoked-sham feedback was provided. Changes in control over the amygdala and PTSD symptoms served as the primary and secondary outcome measurements, respectively. We found significantly greater improvements in control over amygdala activity in the active group than in the control group 30-days following the intervention. Both groups showed improvements in symptom scores, however the symptom reduction in the active group was not significantly greater than in the control group. Our finding of greater improvement in amygdala control suggests potential clinical application of neurofeedback in PTSD treatment. Thus, further development of amygdala neurofeedback training in PTSD treatment, including evaluation in larger samples, is warranted.

Effect of educational intervention based on theory of planned behaviour on promoting preventive behaviours of oral cancer in rural women

BackgroundOral cancer has created an alarming situation around the world, and being the 16th most common cancer worldwide, it has become a global concern. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention based on a theory of planned behavior (TPB) on promoting preventive behaviors of oral cancer in rural women.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted on 120 female hookah users referring to rural health centers in Fasa and Shiraz city, Fars province, Iran. The subjects were divided into experimental and control groups by simple random sampling. The educational intervention for the experimental group consisted of 8 training sessions of 50 min. Both groups completed a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and constructs of TPB before and four months after the educational intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software through independent t-test, chi-square, and paired t-test (p = 0.05).ResultsThe mean age of the experimental and control group subjects were 41.12 ± 8.86 and 40.63 ± 9.62 years, respectively (p = 0.185). The mean age of onset of hookah use in the experimental and control group was 24.16 ± 9.50 and 23.35 ± 9.44 years, respectively (p = 0.182). Also, before the educational intervention, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of knowledge (p < 0.189), attitude (p < 0.122), perceived behavioral control (p < 0.142), subjective norms (p < 0.236), behavioral intention (p < 0.126), oral cancer prevention behaviors (p < 0.108) and nicotine dependence (p < 0.218); however, four months after the educational intervention, there was a significant increase in the experimental group in all variables except nicotine dependence (p < 0.005).ConclusionDue to the alarming situation of oral cancer and the prevalence of hookah use among women, educational programs based on TPB could effectively prevent hookah use and oral cancer.

Assessment of Mental Imagery of Movement in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia patients often present with neurological signs such as left/right confusion, impaired coordination of movements, and motor abnormalities may occur secondary to antipsychotic medications. Neuropsychological tests identify various dysfunctions, such as difficulty in focusing attention, difficulty in abstract thinking or difficulty in changing the response frame, while Neurophysiological tests show slowing down of reaction time, problems with eye tracking, etc. There are no studies in the international literature dealing with the investigation of mental imagery of movement in Greek patients with schizophrenia. Also, the position that patients with schizophrenia – regardless of their symptom profile, age, sex, and chronicity of the disease – have a permanent difficulty in creating and manipulating an internal model of their movement prediction, has not been substantiated enough to date. Aim: In the present study we examine the function of visual-motor coordination and the time to achieve the goal-directed movement of the dominant hand of patients with schizophrenia Method: The sample we used in our research consisted of patients with diagnosed schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Schizophrenia patients belonged to the experimental group and healthy subjects to the control group. The number of examined patients was 39 and the healthy 51. the assessment of the movement and its mental representation was carried out with the real and mental movement of the dominant hand between two square targets located at a distance of 20 cm, on white paper of A4 size. Conclusions: Visuomotor coordination of a specific hand movement differs between patients with schizophrenia and the normal population. In particular, the means of the goal-directed hand movement achievement time in the actual execution condition and in the mental execution condition of the patients were significantly higher than the corresponding times of the standard population.

“Geriatric Proximity” Intervention in COVID-19 Context: Contribution to Reducing Loneliness and Improving Affectivity

(1) Background: The pandemic context has limited the social and family contacts of institutionalized older adults, and intervention is urgently needed. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the implementation of a "Geriatric Proximity" intervention on the functioning, satisfaction with social support, affective experience, and feelings of loneliness of institutionalized older adults in the times of the pandemic. (2) Methods: This is a pilot study. An experimental group (subject to the "Geriatric Proximity" intervention) and a control group were constituted. Four assessment instruments were applied to both groups: the satisfaction with social support scale; the elderly nursing core set; the positive and negative affect schedule; and the UCLA loneliness scale. (3) Results: The control group shows no differences between the three measurement instants, while the experimental group shows between first and third measurements (all p < 0.05). We observed a reduction in the scores of loneliness scale, negative affect, and cognition functioning and an increase in satisfaction with social support and positive affect. (4) Conclusions: The intervention "Geriatric Proximity" showed a positive contribution by decreasing loneliness and increasing affectivity, satisfaction with social support, and cognitive function during the pandemic period.