Investigate Between-group Differences Research Articles

The effect of the cultural formulation interview on therapeutic working alliance: a study protocol.

The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is designed to improve understanding of patients' mental health care needs. The lack of empirical evidence on the impact and effectiveness of CFI use in clarifying people's perspectives, experiences, context, and identity, and in preventing cultural misunderstandings between migrant patients and clinicians, inspired this study. The objective is to examine the effect of the CFI on the strength of therapeutic working alliances, and the potential mediating or moderating role of perceived empathy. A multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted, involving migrant patients, their confidants, and clinicians. The CFI will be administered in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Validated questionnaires will be used to assess therapeutic working alliances and perceived empathy. T-tests and linear regression analyses will be conducted to investigate between-group differences and possible mediating or moderating effects. This study will indicate whether or not the CFI strengthens the therapeutic working alliance between patients and clinicians, as moderated and/or mediated by perceived empathy. Research on the effect and impact of using the CFI in mental health care for migrant patients is important to clarify whether its use strengthens the therapeutic working alliance with clinicians. This can lead to a reduction in cultural misunderstandings and improve mental health care for migrant patients. The results may also be important for the implementation of the CFI as a standard of care. This research protocol was tailored to the needs of patients in collaboration with experts by experience. It was approved by the Ethical Review Board of the Tilburg Law School and registered in the Clinical Trials Register under number NCT05788315. Positive results may stimulate further implementation of the CFI in clinical practice, and contribute to improving the impact of the CFI on the therapeutic working alliances.

The neuroanatomical substrates of autism and ADHD and their link to putative genomic underpinnings

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions accompanied by differences in brain development. Neuroanatomical differences in autism are variable across individuals and likely underpin distinct clinical phenotypes. To parse heterogeneity, it is essential to establish how the neurobiology of ASD is modulated by differences associated with co-occurring conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to (1) investigate between-group differences in autistic individuals with and without co-occurring ADHD, and to (2) link these variances to putative genomic underpinnings.MethodsWe examined differences in cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) and their genomic associations in a sample of 533 individuals from the Longitudinal European Autism Project. Using a general linear model including main effects of autism and ADHD, and an ASD-by-ADHD interaction, we examined to which degree ADHD modulates the autism-related neuroanatomy. Further, leveraging the spatial gene expression data of the Allen Human Brain Atlas, we identified genes whose spatial expression patterns resemble our neuroimaging findings.ResultsIn addition to significant main effects for ASD and ADHD in fronto-temporal, limbic, and occipital regions, we observed a significant ASD-by-ADHD interaction in the left precentral gyrus and the right frontal gyrus for measures of CT and SA, respectively. Moreover, individuals with ASD + ADHD differed in CT to those without. Both main effects and the interaction were enriched for ASD—but not for ADHD-related genes.LimitationsAlthough we employed a multicenter design to overcome single-site recruitment limitations, our sample size of N = 25 individuals in the ADHD only group is relatively small compared to the other subgroups, which limits the generalizability of the results. Also, we assigned subjects into ADHD positive groupings according to the DSM-5 rating scale. While this is sufficient for obtaining a research diagnosis of ADHD, our approach did not take into account for how long the symptoms have been present, which is typically considered when assessing ADHD in the clinical setting.ConclusionThus, our findings suggest that the neuroanatomy of ASD is significantly modulated by ADHD, and that autistic individuals with co-occurring ADHD may have specific neuroanatomical underpinnings potentially mediated by atypical gene expression.

Action observation plus motor imagery and somatosensory discrimination training are effective non-motor approaches to improve manual dexterity

BackgroundAction observation plus motor imagery (AOMI) and somatosensory discrimination training (SSDT) represent sensory input-based approaches to train the motor system without necessarily asking subjects to perform active movements. PurposeTo investigate AOMI and SSDT effects compared to no intervention on manual dexterity in healthy subjects. Study DesignRandomized controlled study. MethodsSixty healthy right-handed participants were randomized into AOMI, SSDT or Control (CTRL) groups. AOMI observed video-clips including right-hand dexterity tasks and concurrently performed motor imagery, SSDT performed surfaces recognition and 2-point distance discrimination tasks with the right hand, whereas CTRL underwent no intervention. A blinded physiotherapist assessed participants for manual dexterity using the Purdue Pegboard Test (Right hand-R, Left hand-L, Both hands-B, R+L+B and assembly tasks) at baseline (T0) and training end (T1). A mixed-design Analysis of Variance with Time as within-subject factor and Group as between-subject factor was used to investigate between-group differences over time. ResultsA Time by Group interaction and Time effect were found for R task, which increased from T0 to T1 in all groups with very large effect sizes for SSDT (d = 1.8, CI95 2.4-1.0, P < .001) and AOMI (d = 1.7, CI95 2.5-1.0, P < .001) and medium effect size for CTRL (d = 0.6, CI95 1.2-0.2, P < .001). Between-group post-hoc comparison for deltas (T1-T0) showed large effect size (d = 1.0, CI95 1.6-0.3, P = .003) in favor of SSDT and medium effect size (d = 0.7, CI95 1.4-0.1, P = .026) in favor of AOMI compared to CTRL. Time effects were found for L, B, R + L + B and assembly tasks (P < .001). ConclusionsAOMI and SSDT induced greater manual dexterity improvements than no intervention. These findings supported the role of visual and somatosensory stimuli in building a motor plan and enhancing the accuracy of hand movements. These non-motor approaches may enhance motor performance in job or hobbies requiring marked manual dexterity.

Association of Delirium and Depression with Respiratory and Outcome Measures in COVID-19 Inpatients.

Delirium (DEL) and depression (DEP) may impair the course and severity of acute respiratory illness. The impact of such syndromes on respiratory and outcome parameters in inpatients with COVID-19 needs clarification. To clarify the relationship between DEL and DEP and respiratory outcome measures, we enrolled 100 inpatients from COVID-19 units of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS of Rome. Participants were divided into those with DEL, DEP, or absence of either delirium or depression (CONT). Delirium severity was assessed with the Neelson and Champagne Confusion Scale (NEECHAM). Psychopathology was assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Dependent variables include: (a) respiratory parameters, i.e., partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), oxygen saturation (SpO2), ratio between arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), and fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2); (b) outcome parameters, i.e., duration of hospitalization and number of pharmacological treatments used during the hospitalization. We investigated between-group differences and the relationships between severity of delirium/depression and the dependent variables. Duration of hospitalization was longer for DEL than for either DEP or CONT and for DEP compared to CONT. NEECHAM and HAM-D scores predicted lower PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 levels in the DEL and DEP groups, respectively. In DEP, BPRS scores positively correlated with duration of hospitalization. Delirium impacted the course of COVID-19 more severely than depression. The mechanisms by which delirium and depression worsen respiratory parameters differ.

Understanding and predicting future relapse in depression from resting state functional connectivity and self-referential processing

BackgroundThe recurrent nature of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) asks for a better understanding of mechanisms underlying relapse. Previously, self-referential processing abnormalities have been linked to vulnerability for relapse. We investigated whether abnormalities in self-referential cognitions and functioning of associated brain-networks persist upon remission and predict relapse. MethodsRemitted recurrent MDD patients (n = 48) and never-depressed controls (n = 23) underwent resting-state fMRI scanning at baseline and were additionally assessed for their implicit depressed self-associations and ruminative behaviour. A template-based dual regression approach was used to investigate between-group differences in default mode, cingulo-opercular and frontoparietal network resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC). Additional prediction of relapse status at 18-month follow-up was investigated within patients using both regression analyses and machine learning classifiers. ResultsRemitted patients showed higher rumination, but no implicit depressed self-associations or RSFC abnormalities were observed between patients and controls. Nevertheless, relapse was related to i) baseline RSFC between the ventral default mode network and the precuneus, dorsomedial frontal gyrus, and inferior occipital lobe, ii) implicit self-associations, and iii) uncontrollability of ruminative thinking, when controlled for depressive symptomatology. Moreover, preliminary machine learning classifiers demonstrated that RSFC within the investigated networks predicted relapse on an individual basis. ConclusionsRemitted MDD patients seem to be commonly characterized by abnormal rumination, but not by implicit self-associations or abnormalities in relevant brain networks. Nevertheless, relapse was predicted by self-related cognitions and default mode RSFC during remission, suggesting that variations in self-relevant processing play a role in the complex dynamics associated with the vulnerability to developing recurrent depressive episodes. Clinical trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register, August 18, 2015, trial number NL53205.042.15.

The contribution of office design to the appraisal of job control: A longitudinal study.

The appraisal of control over work intensity and decisions at the workplace is a well-established determinant of health and well-being among employees. Building on job design theories, the overarching aim of this study was to determine office layout as a predictor of perceived job control. Specifically, we investigated between-group differences in control by contrasting employees in cellular offices with employees in shared/open offices, as well as effects on control among employees transitioning from one office design to another. This is a longitudinal study with three survey points across 48 months comprising 3,415 Norwegian office employees. Data were analyzed with latent growth curve analyses, adjusted for gender, age, leadership responsibility, and teleworking. Employees in cellular offices reported significantly higher control over work intensity and control over decisions when compared with employees in shared/open workspaces. Transitioning from a shared/open workspace to a cellular office led to a significant increase in perceived control regarding work intensity. As the experience of control may buffer the negative impact of job demands, organizations that rely on shared or open office solutions may benefit from identifying tools that can contribute to enhancing their employees' perceived control.

Spiral drawing analysis with a smart ink pen to identify Parkinson's disease fine motor deficits.

Since the uptake of digitizers, quantitative spiral drawing assessment allowed gaining insight into motor impairments related to Parkinson's disease. However, the reduced naturalness of the gesture and the poor user-friendliness of the data acquisition hamper the adoption of such technologies in the clinical practice. To overcome such limitations, we present a novel smart ink pen for spiral drawing assessment, intending to better characterize Parkinson's disease motor symptoms. The device, used on paper as a normal pen, is enriched with motion and force sensors. Forty-five indicators were computed from spirals acquired from 29 Parkinsonian patients and 29 age-matched controls. We investigated between-group differences and correlations with clinical scores. We applied machine learning classification models to test the indicators ability to discriminate between groups, with a focus on model interpretability. Compared to control, patients' drawings were characterized by reduced fluency and lower but more variable applied force, while tremor occurrence was reflected in kinematic spectral peaks selectively concentrated in the 4-7 Hz band. The indicators revealed aspects of the disease not captured by simple trace inspection, nor by the clinical scales, which, indeed, correlate moderately. The classification achieved 94.38% accuracy, with indicators related to fluency and power distribution emerging as the most important. Indicators were able to significantly identify Parkinson's disease motor symptoms. Our findings support the introduction of the smart ink pen as a time-efficient tool to juxtapose the clinical assessment with quantitative information, without changing the way the classical examination is performed.

Evaluating the energy regulatory hormones of nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundNesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin were originally introduced as energy regulatory hormones. However, the results of studies revealed that these hormones may also have important roles in inflammation, immune function and neurological impairment. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by progressive inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss in the central nervous system. We aimed to evaluate nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin hormones in patients with MS accompanied by inflammation and central nervous system dysfunction. Materials and methodsA total of 110 subjects (65 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 45 healthy individuals as control group) were included in this study. Venous blood samples were collected between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Serum concentrations of all markers were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay methods. The unpaired t-test was used to investigate between-group differences. ResultsThe nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin levels were found to be significantly lower in the MS group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). ConclusionIn the present study, circulating nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin levels were decreased in patients with MS. However, the pathogenesis of MS and the underlying molecular mechanism of these hormones in MS have still not been elucidated. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and longer periods are required to obtain satisfactory information. In conclusion, the energy regulatory hormones of nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin may have potential for the development of new therapeutic targets for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Education-Enhanced Conventional Care versus Conventional Care Alone for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of enhancing conventional care for people with chronic painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with an individualised contemporary pain science education (PSE) intervention. In this randomized controlled trial, a consecutive sample of 148 participants (18–55 years of age) was randomized into 2 groups: PSE-enhanced conventional care or Conventional care alone. Conventional care involved a 6-week, 12-session manual therapy and exercise program. The PSE enhancement involved 2 sessions of modern PSE, undertaken in the first 2 treatment sessions. Primary outcomes were pain intensity, assessed with a numeric pain rating scale, and disability, assessed with the craniofacial pain and disability inventory, post-treatment. Linear mixed model analyses were used to investigate between-group differences over time. There was a statistically and clinically meaningful effect of PSE enhancement on disability (Mean Difference = 6.1, 95% CI: 3.3–8.8), but not on pain intensity, post-treatment. Secondary analyses suggested clinically meaningful benefit of PSE enhancement on pain and disability ratings at 10-week and 18-week follow-ups, raising the possibility that preceding conventional care with a PSE intervention may result in long-term benefits. PerspectiveThe addition of modern Pain Science Education (PSE) intervention improved disability for people with chronic TMD receiving manual therapy and exercise, but not pain. A mean difference in pain and disability favoring the PSE group at the 10- and 18-week follow-ups, respectively, suggests that PSE addition resulted in longer-lasting effects. Trial registration: NCT03926767. Registered on April 29, 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03926767

Hemodynamic response function (HRF) as a novel brain marker: Applications in subjective cognitive decline (SCD)

ObjectiveSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) is the first clinical manifestation of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. Hemodynamic response function (HRF) carries information related to brain pathology and function. The shape of the HRF can be described by three parameters: response height (RH), time-to-peak (TTP), and full-width at half-max (FWHM). We proposed and explored our two hypotheses. Hypothesis 1: HRF was pathologically related to SCD: compared with healthy controls (HC), patients with SCD show HRF aberrations. Hypothesis 2: HRF could be employed as a novel marker of brain imaging for the classification of SCD. MethodsWe used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and performed deconvolution to investigate the HRF parameters in 54 individuals with SCD and 64 HC. Statistical two-sample t tests were performed to investigate between-group differences in HRF parameters. Finally, we used logistic regression to construct a binary classification of SCD and HC. ResultsWe found altered HRF parameters in the SCD group compared to HC. In the brain regions with altered HRF, we found that RH and FWHM decreased in the SCD group compared to HC, while TTP increased in the SCD group. From the binary logistic regression, we found that the classification accuracy of SCD and HC was 94.07%. ConclusionThe study demonstrated altered HRF parameters in patients with SCD, which could be used as a novel marker of brain function for the classification of SCD.

Resting-state EEG networks characterized by intramodular and global hyperconnectivity in depressive sample

IntroductionDepression is characterized by a pattern of specific changes in the network organization of brain functioning.ObjectivesWe researched a graph structure specificity in a depressive student sample by analyzing resting-state EEG. All possible combinations of graph metrics, frequency bands, and sensors/sources levels of networks were examined.MethodsWe recorded resting-state EEG in fourteen participants with high Beck Depression Inventory score (24.4 ± 9.7; 20.4 ± 1.5 y.o.; 14 females; 1 left-handed) and fourteen participants with a low score (6.8 ± 3.7; 21.3 ± 2.0 y.o.; 8 females; 1 left-handed). We applied weighted phase-lag index (wPLI) to construct functional networks at sensors and sources levels and computed characteristic path length (CPL), clustering coefficient (CC), index of modularity (Q), small-world index (SWI) in 4-8, 8-13, 13-30, and 4-30 Hz frequency bands. We used Mann-Whitney U-test (p &lt; 0.05) to investigate between-group differences in the graph metrics.ResultsThe depressive sample was characterized by increased CC and Q in the 4-30 Hz band networks and decreased CPL in the beta-band network (sensors-level for CPL and CC, and sources-level for Q).ConclusionsElevated CC and Q may relate to an increase of intramodular connectivity, and CPL reduction reflects the global connectivity increasing. We hypothesize that intramodular hyperconnectivity could explain the rise of global functional connectivity in participants with depressive symptoms. 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.

Blood-Based Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease in Older Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Background:Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive decline and risk for dementia, but the neuropathology involved is unclear.Objective:The aim of this study was to determine whether PTSD is associated with increased levels of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) blood-based biomarkers.Methods:Individuals aged 50 years and older with PTSD were compared to trauma-exposed healthy controls (TEHCs) at baseline on serum measures of amyloid-β (Aβ) 42 and 40 levels, the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, and total tau. Serum was analyzed using ultrasensitive Simoa Human Neurology 3-Plex A assay (N3PA). Linear regressions modeling each AD biomarker as a function of group were used to investigate between-group differences, controlling for age, sex, and educational attainment (years).Results:TEHC participants (N = 26) were 53.8% male with mean age 66.8±10.7, whereas PTSD participants (N = 44) were 47.7% male and aged 62.5±9.1 years. No between-group differences were noted on demographic characteristics or cognitive performance measured with the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. There were no significant between-group differences in serum Aβ40 (TEHC 105.8±51.6 versus PTSD 93.2±56.1, p = 0.46), Aβ42 (TEHC 8.1±4.6 versus PTSD 7.8±4.6, p = 0.63), Aβ42/Aβ40 (TEHC 0.08±0.03 versus PTSD 0.09±0.03, p = 0.27), or total tau (TEHC 0.5±0.3 versus PTSD 0.5±0.4, p = 0.77). Likewise, there were no significant interaction effects of amyloid or tau serum concentrations and PTSD group status on cognitive functioning.Conclusion:Findings from cognitive assessments and serum analyses do not support PTSD-induced neurodegeneration of the Alzheimer’s type as a pathway linking PTSD to increased incidence of dementia in older adults.

Associations between Fluctuating Shame, Self-Esteem, and Sexual Desire: Comparing Frequent Porn Users and a General Population Sample

In the present study, we explore the proposed cyclic models for problematic hypersexuality (PH) that involve shame, self-esteem, and sexual desire. These cyclic models are characterized by temporal associations but have not been investigated previously with intensive longitudinal designs. In this study, we collected up to 70 measurements per participant within a period of seven consecutive days, which allowed us to investigate associations between fluctuations of shame, self-esteem, and sexual desire. Participants were divided in four subgroups: (1) women (n = 87); (2) men (n = 46) from a general population convenience sample; (3) men watching porn &gt;2 times per week, showing non-problematic hypersexuality (NH; n = 10); and (4) men watching porn &gt;2 times per week, experiencing PH (n = 11). Multilevel analyses, including cross-level interactions, were used to investigate between-group differences in intraindividual processes. Results showed that prior increases in shame forecasted higher current sexual desire for men with PH, but not for the other groups, suggesting that men with PH use sexual desire to downregulate dysphoric feelings of shame. Differences between groups in associations between self-esteem and sexual desire were also found. Based on our results, we propose the Split Pleasure/Shame model, which represents emotion dysregulation in PH, and juxtapose this with the pleasurable experience of sex by non-PH groups. Further intensive longitudinal research is necessary to test this model and, more generally, to investigate the fluctuating nature of sexual desire.

Clinical Benefits of Oral Anticoagulant Use in Cancer Patients at Increased Risk for Venous Thromboembolism per Khorana Index

BackgroundCancer patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to cancer-induced hypercoagulability. However, current guidelines do not routinely recommend prophylactic use of oral anticoagulants to prevent VTE in cancer patients.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus no anticoagulant use (no-use) and, additionally, differential effects between NOACs and warfarin, in VTE and adverse bleeding prevention among cancer patients, in consideration of risk stratification by gender, high-risk chemotherapy exposure, and Khorana index.MethodsThis national health insurance data-based study with a 180-day follow-up enrolled cancer patients with or without oral anticoagulant use in 2017. The primary outcome was VTE risk in oral anticoagulant users vs non-users. Four propensity score-matched comparison pairs were designed: use vs no-use, NOAC vs no-use, warfarin vs no-use, and NOAC vs warfarin. A logistic regression model was used to investigate between-group differences in VTE and bleeding risk.ResultsWhen compared to no-use, NOACs showed substantial effects in preventing VTE complications (OR=0.40, p<0.001), primarily deep vein thrombosis (DVT) events (OR=0.38, p<0.001), in both male and female cancer patients as well as those with a Khorana score ≥1. Adverse bleeding risk was comparable or lower in NOAC-receiving female patients (p=0.13) and male patients (p=0.04), respectively. In contrast, no protective effects were found with warfarin compared to no-use in controlling thrombosis and adverse bleeding risk. In a head-to-head comparison of NOACs versus warfarin, DVT risk in those patients exposed to high-risk chemotherapy was significantly decreased with NOAC use (OR=0.19, p=0.03).ConclusionNOACs can be a promising thromboprophylactic option in both male and female cancer patients with VTE risk.

Star-Shape Kinesio Taping Is Not Better Than a Minimal Intervention or Sham Kinesio Taping for Pain Intensity and Postural Control in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of star-shape Kinesio taping (KT) compared with both sham KT and minimal intervention (MI) on pain intensity and postural control. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingOutpatient physical therapy. ParticipantsA total of 120 people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) aged 18-60 years (N=120). InterventionsStar-shape KT, sham KT (no tension), and MI (educational booklet for self-management counseling). Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measures were pain intensity and center of pressure (COP) mean sway speed, and disability score (Oswestry Disability Index) was a secondary outcome. The outcomes were obtained immediately after initial KT application, on the seventh day of intervention and at the 1-month follow-up. Linear mixed-model analyses using Bonferroni post hoc analyses were applied to investigate between-group differences. The model included treatment, time, and treatment×time interaction as fixed effects. ResultsPain intensity was significantly lower for the star-shape KT group than for the MI group (mean difference [MD], −1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.63 to −0.07) immediately after the intervention and on the seventh day of intervention (MD, −1.32; 95% CI, −2.56 to −0.07). No difference in pain intensity between star-shape KT vs sham-KT groups was observed. In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed for the COP mean sway speed and disability score at any of the follow-up times. ConclusionsOur results showed no meaningful effect of star-shape KT intervention on pain intensity and postural control in people with CLBP compared with MI or sham KT. The observed reduction of 1.3 units between star-shape KT and MI groups was statistically different, but it could not be considered clinically relevant. The results of this trial suggest that benefits from KT are more likely attributable to contextual factors rather than specific taping parameters.

Disruptions of cortico-kinematic interactions in Parkinson’s disease

The cortical role of the motor symptoms reflected by kinematic characteristics in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is poorly understood. In this study, we aim to explore how PD affects cortico-kinematic interactions. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and kinematic data were recorded from seven healthy participants and eight participants diagnosed with PD during a set of self-paced finger tapping tasks. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) was compared between groups in the α (8−14 Hz), low-ß (14−20 Hz), and high-ß (20−35 Hz) frequency bands to investigate between-group differences in the cortical activities associated with movement. Average kinematic peak amplitudes and latencies were extracted alongside Sample Entropy (SaEn), a measure of signal complexity, as variables for comparison between groups. These variables were further correlated with average EEG power in each frequency band to establish within-group interactions between cortical motor functions and kinematic motor output. High ß-band power correlated with mean kinematic peak latency and signal complexity in the healthy group, while no correlation was found in the PD group. Also, the healthy group demonstrated stronger ERD in the broad ß-band than the PD participants. Our results suggest that cortical ß-band power in healthy populations is graded to finger tapping latency and complexity of movement, but this relationship is impaired in PD. These insights could help further enhance our understanding of the role of cortical ß-band oscillations in healthy movement and the possible disruption of that relationship in PD. These outcomes can provide further directions for treatment and therapeutic applications and potentially establish cortical biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease.

Symptoms of central sensitization in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a case-control study examining the role of musculoskeletal pain and psychological factors.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common complaint in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). MSK pain in IBD has previously demonstrated association with symptoms of central sensitization; however it is uncertain whether these symptoms are influenced simply by the presence of MSK pain and/or IBD. Primary aim of this study was to investigate whether symptoms of central sensitization differed across three groups: IBD patients with and without MSK pain and healthy controls. Secondary aim was to investigate between-group differences for measures of somatosensory functioning. Cross-sectional study was performed on adults with IBD. Assessments included: central sensitization inventory (CSI), pressure pain threshold, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, perceived stress, affect style, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing. One-way analyses of variance and covariance were used to investigate between-group differences for measures of central sensitization and potential confounding by psychological factors. Study participants (n=66) were age/gender matched across three study groups. Between-group differences were solely demonstrated for CSI scores [F(2,63)=19.835, p<0.001, r=0.62], with IBD patients with MSK pain demonstrating the highest CSI scores and healthy controls the lowest. After controlling for individual psychological features, post hoc comparisons indicated that CSI scores were significantly different between-groups (p≤0.025) after controlling for most psychological variables, with the exception of perceived stress (p=0.063) and pain catastrophizing (p=0.593). IBD patients as a whole demonstrated significantly greater symptoms of central sensitization compared to healthy controls. However, IBD patients with persistent MSK pain demonstrated the greatest symptoms of central sensitization compared to patients without MSK pain and healthy controls. Between-group differences for CSI in IBD patients with MSK were not confounded by psychological features. Study results indicate that persistent MSK pain in IBD represents patients with greater central sensitization symptomology. This increased symptomology is suggestive of underlying mechanisms related to central sensitization, highlighting patient potentially at risk for worse pain experiences.

Trunk, pelvic and hip kinematics during the Stork test in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain, asymptomatic pregnant and non-pregnant women

BackgroundPelvic girdle pain is prevalent during pregnancy, and women affected report weight-bearing activities to be their main disability. The Stork test is a commonly used single-leg-stance test. As clinicians report specific movement patterns in those with pelvic girdle pain, we aimed to investigate the influence of both pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain on performance of the Stork test. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 25 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain, 23 asymptomatic pregnant and 24 asymptomatic non-pregnant women underwent three-dimensional kinematic analysis of the Stork test. Linear mixed models were used to investigate between-group differences in trunk, pelvic and hip kinematics during neutral stance, weight shift, leg lift and single leg stance. FindingsFew and small significant between-group differences were found. Pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain had significantly less hip adduction during single leg stance compared to asymptomatic pregnant women (estimated marginal means (95% confidence intervals) -1.1° (−2.4°, 0.3°) and 1.0° (−0.4°, 2.4°), respectively; P = 0.03). Asymptomatic pregnant women had significantly less hip internal rotation compared to non-pregnant women 4.1° (1.6°, 6.7°) and 7.9° (5.4°, 10.4°), respectively (P = 0.04) and greater peak hip flexion angle of the lifted leg in single leg stance 80.4° (77.0°, 83.9°) and 74.1° (70.8°, 77.5°), respectively (P = 0.01). Variation in key kinematic variables was large across participants in all three groups. InterpretationOur findings indicate that trunk, pelvic and hip movements during the Stork test are not specific to pregnancy and/or pelvic girdle pain in the 2nd trimester. Instead, movement strategies appear unique to each individual.

A-081 Cognitive Reserve Factors Influence Neuropsychological Performance in Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract Objective Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the brain’s capacity to cope with pathology and preserve functioning. We investigated cognitive performance between individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and healthy controls to examine whether CR, operationalized as education and psychosocial functioning, influences neuropsychological functioning. Method We recruited 45 AUD (DSM-V criteria) who reported drinking levels exceeding NIAAA guidelines (&amp;gt;14/7 drinks/week for men/women) and 30 healthy controls who did not. MANCOVAs controlling for CR were used to investigate between-group differences in neuropsychological performance, as measured by the NIH Toolbox. A series of linear regression analyses were also performed to evaluate effects of AUD and CR on neuropsychological performance. Psychosocial functioning, education, and AUD status were simultaneously entered as predictors of Flanker, Dimensional Change Card Sort, Picture Sequence, List Sort, and Processing Speed scores. Results MANCOVAs revealed a significantly slower processing speed in the AUD group compared to controls when controlling for CR (F = 4.30, p = .042). There were no significant group differences on other tests. Linear regressions showed only processing speed to be predicted by AUD (β = −.255, p = .042), while CR measures were not. Education predicted Picture Sequence (β = .245, p = .041) and Card Sort (β = .291, p = .009) performance, and psychosocial functioning predicted Flanker (β = .296, p = .021) and Card Sort (β = .316, p = .010) performance. Conclusions CR appears to contribute to higher-order cognitive functions, regardless of AUD status. Only processing speed, a domain typically susceptible to brain pathology, was significantly related to AUD. Thus, factors linked to CR may serve as important targets for future research and intervention in AUD to promote favorable cognitive outcomes.

Data describing child development at 6 years after maternal cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy.

This manuscript is an accompanying resource of the original research article entitled “Child development at 6 years after maternal cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy” and present data that compare the outcome of 6-year-old-children born to women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy (with or without treatment during pregnancy) (study group) with children born after an uncomplicated pregnancy (control group). Oncological, obstetrical and neonatal data were collected. Neurodevelopment was examined by clinical evaluation and neuropsychological testing (including intelligence, attention and memory tests) and by general health and behavior questionnaires. Cardiac evaluation included electro- and echocardiography. Univariate analyses of covariance were used to investigate between-group differences. A subgroup analysis was performed in chemotherapy-exposed children versus controls and anthracycline-exposed versus controls. Additionally, the incidence of behaviour problems was compared to matched controls for children whose mothers died and for those with surviving mothers.