Global Cognitive Processing Research Articles

Sistematización de una intervención cognitivo – comunicativa basada en reminiscencia para adultos mayores

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the effect of the reminiscence-based cognitive-communicative intervention program (CCSP-R) on global cognitive processing and self-perception of subjective well-being. Methods A purposive sample of 100 self-care elderly adults, with 65 composing the study group and 35 in the control group. The study group was subjected to the proposed program. The Wilcoxon test compared the outcome measures of global cognitive efficacy (MMSE) and subjective well-being (SWLS) before and after the program, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test compared the pre- and post-test differences between the two groups. Results A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and post-test of the SWLS in the study group, but not in the control group. This result was replicated in the global cognitive efficacy variable. A difference between the groups occurred in both measures, with greater benefit for the group that received the intervention. Conclusion The CCSP-R is a viable alternative for cognitive-communicative stimulation of functional order. The evidence of differences in performance supports its usefulness and validity for intervention in primary care or other similar contexts.

Systematization of a cognitive-communicative intervention based on reminiscence for older adults.

To determine the effect of the reminiscence-based cognitive-communicative intervention program (CCSP-R) on global cognitive processing and self-perception of subjective well-being. A purposive sample of 100 self-care elderly adults, with 65 composing the study group and 35 in the control group. The study group was subjected to the proposed program. The Wilcoxon test compared the outcome measures of global cognitive efficacy (MMSE) and subjective well-being (SWLS) before and after the program, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test compared the pre- and post-test differences between the two groups. A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and post-test of the SWLS in the study group, but not in the control group. This result was replicated in the global cognitive efficacy variable. A difference between the groups occurred in both measures, with greater benefit for the group that received the intervention. The CCSP-R is a viable alternative for cognitive-communicative stimulation of functional order. The evidence of differences in performance supports its usefulness and validity for intervention in primary care or other similar contexts.

Beta-band network modularity in resting-state EEG negatively correlates with level of intelligence

IntroductionRecent studies mostly focus on the links between measures of alpha-band EEG networks and intelligence. However, associations between wide frequency range EEG networks and general intelligence level remain underresearched.ObjectivesIn this study in a student sample we aimed to correlate the intelligence level and graph metrics of the sensors/sources-level networks constructed in different frequency EEG bands.MethodsWe recorded eyes-closed resting-state EEG in 28 healthy participants (21.4±2.1 y.o., 18 females, 1 left-handed). The Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices Plus (‘SPM Plus’, 60 figures) was used as an intelligence measure. We constructed networks for all possible combinations of sensors/sources-level and 4-8, 8-13, 13-30, or 4-30 Hz frequency bands using Weighted Phase-Lag Index (wPLI), and calculated four graph metrics (Characteristic Path Length, Clustering Coefficient, Modularity, and Small World Index) for each network. Spearman correlation (with Holm-Sidak correction) was applied to characterize the relations between the SPM Plus scores and all the network metrics.ResultsSPM Plus scores varied from 35 to 57 (mean 45.3±4.2), and the intelligence level negatively correlated with Modularity in beta-band (r = -0.63, pcorr = 0.0253).ConclusionsHigh modularity may reflect relatively high segregation, but not integration, of networks (Girn, Mills, Christoff, 2019). Accordingly, our findings may shed light on the neural mechanisms of the general inefficiency of global cognitive processing in the case of intellectual decline related to different mental disorders. Funding: This research has been supported by the Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Lomonosov Moscow State University ‘Brain, Cognitive Systems, Artificial Intelligence’.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Effectiveness of sensory modulation for people with schizophrenia: A multisite quantitative prospective cohort study.

IntroductionCurrent research evidence suggests that people with schizophrenia have sensory processing difficulties. Sensory modulation has growing evidence for use in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which health, social, cognitive, and occupational functioning outcomes were impacted by sensory modulation interventions for people with schizophrenia.MethodsA prospective observational cohort study using a waitlist control design was used in two large hospital and health services in Queensland, Australia. The study recruited patients who used sensory modulation (n = 30) across the two hospitals and those who did not use sensory modulation interventions as a control (n = 11). Results were analysed using a series of planned comparisons including independent and paired t‐tests, and mixed ANOVA was used whenever statistically indicated. The analysed measures were pre‐ and post‐intervention scores.ResultsThis study found no statically significant differences between the control and intervention groups at both pre‐ and post‐intervention. However, analysis of results from within the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements between pre‐ and post‐test scores on distress, occupational functioning, and health and social functioning but not on sensory processing and global cognitive processing. Further analysis of results from this study, compared with those from an earlier study on the general population showed significant differences in Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding, as measured by the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile, between participants with schizophrenia and those without schizophrenia.ConclusionThis study provides evidence to suggest that sensory modulation interventions can be complementary to standard care when utilised appropriately in clinical settings. Findings also suggest that the sensory profile of people with schizophrenia is different to that of the general population and this may have clinical implications. Further longitudinal research is needed with larger and randomised samples, using more targeted measures to better explore effectiveness of sensory modulation interventions.

Global/local processing style: Explaining the relationship between trait anxiety and binge eating.

Anxiety is a risk factor for disordered eating, but the mechanisms by which anxiety promotes disordered eating are poorly understood. One possibility is local versus global cognitive processing style, defined as a relative tendency to attend to details at the expense of the "big picture." Anxiety may narrow attention, in turn, enhancing local and/or compromising global processing. We examined relationships between global/local processing style, anxiety, and disordered eating behaviors in a transdiagnostic outpatient clinical sample. We hypothesized that local (vs. global) processing bias would mediate the relationship between anxiety and disordered eating behaviors. Ninety-three participants completed the eating disorder examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-trait subscale, and the Navon task (a test of processing style in which large letters are composed of smaller letters both congruent and incongruent with the large letter). The sample was predominantly female (95%) with a mean age of 27.4 years (SD = 12.1 years). Binge eating, but not fasting, purging, or excessive exercise, was correlated with lower levels of global processing style. There was a significant indirect effect between anxiety and binge eating via reduced global level global/local processing. In individuals with disordered eating, being more generally anxious may encourage a detailed-oriented bias, preventing individuals from maintaining the bigger picture and making them more likely to engage in maladaptive behaviors (e.g., binge eating).

A review of brain-based neuro-cognitive models

We present a survey of recent brain-based neural network models of various aspects of cognition, covering learning and episodic memory, working memory, attention control, goal formation, language learning and use and consciousness. These models are assessed in the light of their explanation of experimental data, as well as the possible help they have provided in understanding global cognitive processing principles. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the models discussed might help to guide the creation of an artificial cognitive brain.