Function In Healthy Young Adults Research Articles

How do visual, auditory and motor dual-tasking each affect swallowing and chewing function?

It can be challenging to perform a second task at the same time as swallowing. The study aimed to investigate the effect of visual, auditory and motor dual-tasking on swallowing and chewing function in healthy young adults. Right-handed healthy adults without any psychological and cognitive problems were included in the study. Swallowing was evaluated based on the dysphagia limit in different liquid textures such as water and nectar consistencies, and chewing was evaluated by the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids. For the second task, visual and auditory performance was assessed using reaction time, and the motor performance was assessed using a bilateral tapping task. Assessments were performed in two steps: baseline and dual-task. For baseline, all evaluation methods were applied individually. After completing the baseline assessment, dual-task assessment were carried out the following day. For dual-task assessment, the swallowing and chewing tasks were performed simultaneously with visual, auditory and motor tasks. Results showed a significant decrease in dysphagia limit in the nectar consistency, and significant increase in chewing time, visual reaction time and tapping rate (right-left) when compared to baseline and dual-task conditions (χ2(3) = 9.61, p = .02; χ2(3) = 9.02, p = .02; χ2(3) = 28.09, p < .001; χ2(3) = 28.97, p < .001; χ2(3) = 21.56, p < .001, respectively). However, there were no differences in dysphagia limit in the water and auditory reaction time compared to baseline and dual-task conditions (χ2(3) = 3.18, p = .36; χ2(3) = 2.56, p = .50, respectively). Results shedding light on how simultaneous dual tasks can influence swallowing and chewing. Dual-tasking cause a decrease in both swallowing/chewing and the visual/motor performances. These results may provide valuable information for designing interventions or strategies aimed at improving or maintaining optimal swallowing and chewing during in various populations during daily life.

The effects of prolonged sitting with a mild hypercapnic environment on vascular function in elderly adults: A pilot study

Introduction: Prolonged Sitting (PS), defined a sitting for 2+ hours at a time, has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We previously reported that an acute bout of PS can attenuate macrovascular function in healthy young adults. Additionally, we reported that PS in mild hypercapnic environments (elevated CO2 concentrations) can further exacerbate these impairments in healthy young adults, and these impairments can be partially prevented by intermittent bouts of passive and active leg movements. However, the effects of prolonged sitting with a mild hypercapnic environment in the elderly population have not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of prolonged sitting with a mild hypercapnic condition on macrovascular function, arterial stiffness, and leg muscle metabolism. Additionally, we have further examined the effects of passive and active movements to negate the negative effects of prolonged sitting in elderly adults. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that 1) prolonged sitting in a hypercapnic environment will attenuate vascular function and leg metabolism, 2) both passive and active leg movements will preserve endothelial function and leg metabolism. Methods: Healthy elderly adults (n=2, 2 males, 69 ± 2.83 yrs) participated in three experimental visits consisting of 2.5h of prolonged sitting in a mild hypercapnic condition (CO2 = 1500ppm): control (CON), passive (PASS, passive leg movement), and active (ACT, active leg movement). Popliteal and brachial artery endothelial function was measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Peripheral and central arterial stiffness was assessed using pulse wave velocity. Leg muscle metabolism was assessed using near infrared spectroscopy and a thermal camera. All measurements were taken pre- and post-siting. Results: Popliteal FMD was reduced in the CON condition compared to both the PASS and ACT (Δ -3.559 ± 0.499 vs Δ -1.799 ± 0.824 vs Δ 0.601 ± 1.958, respectively). Brachial FMD was attenuated in the CON condition compared to both compared to both the PASS and ACT (Δ -2.368 ± 0.215 vs Δ -0.285 ± 1.578 vs Δ 1.116 ± 1.174, respectively). The CON condition showed a greater reduction in leg temperature compared to both the PASS and ACT (Δ -2.4 vs Δ -1.6 ± 0.599 vs Δ 0.1 ± 0.224, respectively). No changes in central or peripheral arterial stiffness were observed. Conclusion: This preliminary data shows that uninterrupted prolonged sitting induces impairments in both local and systemic vascular function, leg muscle metabolism, but not arterial stiffness. Additionally, intermittent bouts of passive and active movements can partially preserve leg vascular function and metabolism during PS. This research was supported by the UNO Graduate Research and Creative Activity Grant, National Institutes of Health (RO1HD106911) and the Great Plains IdeaA-CTR (U54 GM115448). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Type of auditory cues and apparatus influence how healthy young adults integrate sounds for dynamic balance.

It is unclear whether the brain handles auditory cues similarly to visual cues for balance. We investigated the influence of headphones and loudspeaker reproduction of sounds on dynamic balance performance when an individual is facing a cognitive challenge. Twenty participants (16 females, aged 19-36) were asked to avoid a ball according to a specific visual rule. Visuals were projected from the HTC Vive head-mounted display in an acoustically controlled space. We varied the environment by adding congruent sounds (sounds coincide with the visual rule) or incongruent sounds (sounds may or may not coincide with the visual rule) as well as creating a multimodal (visual and congruent sounds) vs. unimodal (visual or congruent sounds only) display of stimuli. Sounds were played over headphones or loudspeakers. We quantified reaction time (RT) and accuracy (choosing the correct direction to move) by capturing the head movement. We found that in the absence of sounds, RT was slower with headphones compared to loudspeakers, but the introduction of either congruent or incongruent sounds resulted in faster movements with headphones such that RT was no longer different between apparatus. Participants used congruent sounds to improve accuracy but disregarded incongruent sounds. This suggests that selective attention may explain how sounds are incorporated into dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults. Participants leveraged sounds played over loudspeakers, but not over headphones, to enhance accuracy in a unimodal dark environment. This may be explained by the natural listening conditions created by loudspeakers where sounds may be perceived as externalized.

Chronic exercise and neuropsychological function in healthy young adults: a randomised controlled trial investigating a running intervention

Despite the well-known physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise, many of the world’s population, including healthy young adults, grossly undershoot recommended physical activity levels. Chronic exercise has potential to improve cognitive performance and affect in most age groups. However, there is currently a poverty of relevant research in young adults, especially randomised controlled trials. To address this, the current research investigated the effects of a running intervention on neuropsychological function (cognition and affect) in young adults. We predicted that following a running intervention, neuropsychological performance would improve alongside increases in aerobic fitness. Thirty-two healthy young adult university students were randomised (using a 3:1 ratio) into an intervention or control group, with the intervention group (n = 24) asked to run for 30 min three times a week over a 6-week period and the control group (n = 8) asked to maintain their current level of exercise over a 6-week period. We assessed fitness, cognitive performance, affect and running enjoyment at baseline and follow-up, and runners recorded the environmental conditions of their runs. Repeated measures ANCOVAs failed to find any significant effects of the running intervention on fitness or the neuropsychological measures. Anecdotal evidence supported running environment and enjoyment as potentially relevant factors. The failure to find any fitness improvements, which likely underpins the lack of neuropsychological improvements, highlights the importance of monitoring exercise sessions. Coupled with other insights gained from this trial, this article may prove useful towards future endeavours to develop exercise interventions beneficial to young adults.TRN: ACTRN12621000242820, Date of registration: 08/03/2021.

Feasibility of Mobile Health App-Based Home Aerobic Exercise for Physical Performance in Healthy Young Adults.

To investigate the feasibility and effects of a mobile app-based home cycling exercise program compared to home cycling exercise without additional monitoring system. Compared with fitness facilities or outdoor exercise, home-based exercise programs effectively improve physical performance in an indwelling community. However, a flexible, informal environment may decrease motivation and impair adherence to physical exercise. Mobile devices for aerobic exercise and mobile applications provide real-time monitoring, immediate feedback, and encouragement to increase motivation and promote physical performance. We investigated the feasibility and effects of a mobile app-based home exercise program on body composition, muscular strength, and cardiopulmonary function. Between February and May 2023, 20 participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (mobile application with a tablet) and control groups, and they performed aerobic exercise using a stationary bicycle for ≥150 minutes per week for 6 weeks (≤30-minute exercise session, with 3-minute warm-up and 3-minute cool-down). Karvonen formula-based heartrate defined the weekly increase in exercise intensity. Outcome measures included body-composition parameters, isokinetic knee flexor and extensor strength tests, cardiopulmonary exercise test results, and rate of target heart rate (HR) achievement. Participants were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Unrelated personal events led two participants to drop out. The intervention and control groups had similar baseline characteristics. Compared with the control group, in the post-intervention isokinetic strength test, bilateral knee flexor and extensor power, and time to target HR achievement significantly increased each week in the intervention group. Home-based exercise to achieve long-term cardiovascular fitness with portable electronic/mobile devices facilitates individualized exercise using real-time feedback to improve motivation and adherence.

Effect of Yoga Practice on Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults with Intellectual Disability

Purpose: individuals with intellectual disability (ID) often experience challenges related to low levels of physical fitness, impacting both their physical and mental well-being. This study aims to evaluate the pulmonary function of children with ID and explore the effect of yoga practices on pulmonary function among the participants with ID. Material &amp; Methods: the study was an assessor-blinded, randomised, controlled study. Participants clinically diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID) were randomly assigned to either yoga intervention or no intervention for a duration of 6 months. Pulmonary function test was assessed at baseline and after 6 months of intervention using a Helios 401 device. Results: in this study, a total of 56 adult participants of both sexes with intellectual disabilities (ID) were initially enrolled (n=56). Following the intervention, the final sample size was 48 participants. Notably, the participants in the yoga group demonstrated a statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) improvement in pulmonary function parameters when compared to the control group. These findings suggest a positive impact of the yoga intervention on pulmonary function, highlighting its potential as a beneficial therapeutic approach for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The observed improvements underscore the significance of incorporating yoga into interventions aimed at enhancing respiratory well-being in this population. Conclusion: in conclusion, this randomized controlled study offers valuable insights into the effects of various types of yoga practice on the pulmonary function of healthy young adults with intellectual disabilities. The positive outcomes observed underscore the potential of yoga as an effective intervention for enhancing pulmonary function in individuals with intellectual disabilities. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the integration of yoga into interventions aimed at promoting respiratory well-being in this population. Further research and exploration of specific yoga practices may provide additional tailored approaches for optimizing the respiratory health of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Night Screen Time is Associated with Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In recent years, a significant shift toward remote work, virtual education, and social distancing measures was witnessed, thereby leading people to increasingly depend on digital devices for communication, work, and entertainment. This increased exposure to screens has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on cognitive function. This study investigated the relationship between screen time and cognitive function among healthy young adults. One hundred forty-five healthy individuals (mean age 21.55 ± 2.84 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic information including age, sex, height, weight, and level of education were obtained. Participants reported screen time using a screen time questionnaire. Cognitive function tests including, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were conducted. Multilinear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between age, sex, level of education, screen time, and cognitive function. One hundred thirty-nine participants (76 women) completed the study. Increased night screen time, bachelor's educational level, and women were associated with lower PASAT scores (R2=0.258; p≤0.047). Moreover, increased night screen time was associated with lower MoCA scores (R2=0.029; p=0.035). However, no associations were found between night screen time and SDMT scores. Participants who had higher night screen exposure had lower cognitive scores in the information speed processing, working memory, calculation, and attention domains. Considering these findings, this study emphasizes on the importance of setting a future recommended screen time guidelines for young adults as well as to promote healthy cognitive habits in order to preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease in the future. Future prospective cohort studies involving a more diverse age range is needed.

Feasibility of Virtual Shopping Budget-Management Training on Executive Functions in Healthy Young Adults: A Pilot Study.

To date, budget management in virtual shopping training has not been given much importance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual shopping budget-management training on executive functions and brain activation. Sixteen participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group that received virtual shopping budget-management training or the waitlist control group for a total of 16 sessions. To examine the effects of virtual shopping budget-management training on brain activation, HbO2 was measured in the prefrontal cortex via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B) and Stroop test. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare outcomes between and within the two groups. The virtual shopping budget-management training showed no significant difference in all outcomes between both groups (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in HbO2 levels during both TMT-B (p > 0.05) and the Stroop test (p > 0.05). However, in the pre-post comparisons, there was a significant difference in the TMT-B (p < 0.05) and Stroop test (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. In this study, although we did not find a distinct advantage in training, it confirmed its potential for clinical benefits in healthy young adults through training.

79 The Effects of Mobile Based Resonant Frequency Breathing on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults with Elevated Stress

Objective:Finding effective, innovative, and accessible methods of coping with and mitigating stress has been increasingly relevant in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, it is important to understand the impact of acute stress responses on cognition, behavior, and emotional functioning. The young adult population in particular has been known to show higher levels of stress. Studies have shown that deep breathing interventions are associated with improved affect, decreased stress levels, and improved cognitive functioning. The autonomic nervous system, particularly the functioning of the vagus nerve, has been thought to be a key mechanism in the effect of breathing on stress and mood. Most studies to date investigating the efficacy of breathing practices in stress reduction and mood improvement have lacked appropriate methodology, including adequate control groups, randomization, and cross-sectional designs. This single-blind, randomized, waitlist-controlled study investigated the feasibility of using a mobile application to train in resonance frequency breathing and its efficacy in reducing stress and improving cognitive functioning in a non-clinical sample of young adults with elevated stress.Participants and Methods:80 healthy young adults with elevated stress levels were recruited from the NY/NJ community and the Queens College undergraduate research subject pool. Inclusion criteria: ages 18-29, Perceived Stress Scale score &gt;13. Exclusion criteria: regular (at least 3 times per week) practice of any form of meditation, yoga, or breathing exercise; severe medical or psychiatric disorder; active suicidal ideation; drug or alcohol abuse within the past year; use of medication with a known negative impact on cognition or autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal. Participants were randomized to a waitlist control group or breathing group. Participants in the breathing group were instructed to complete 10-minute breathing sessions using the free mobile application “The Breathing App” twice a day for five days per week for four weeks. Cognitive assessments were administered over the phone (pre and post-treatment) and self-report measures were completed online due to quarantine restrictions.Results:There were no significant main effects of group across any of the neuropsychological variables, including verbal memory, letter fluency, category fluency, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, basic attention span, and working memory. This indicated that breathing training did not significantly impact neuropsychological performance. Mediation analysis also demonstrated that breathing training did not indirectly lead to improvement in basic attention, processing speed, working memory, set-shifting, verbal fluency, category fluency, or cognitive flexibility, through its effects on stress reduction.Conclusions:These results do not support literature suggesting that breathing at resonance frequency is associated with improved cognitive functioning such as greater cognitive flexibility, improved decision-making, stronger response inhibition, faster processing speed, and increased working memory. Future study designs should consider implementing active control groups (e.g., mindfulness meditation) and differential dosages of the breathing treatment.

Combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and aerobic exercise on inhibitory control function in healthy young adults: An event-related potential study

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and aerobic exercise (AE) have been demonstrated to enhance inhibitory control function in healthy individuals separately. However, the potential benefits of combining these two interventions have yet to be fully explored. In this study, we aimed to use multiple event-related potential (ERP) components (P200, N200, and N450) to investigate the combined effects of tDCS and AE on the improvement of inhibitory control ability in healthy young adults. We evaluated the influence of this combined intervention on cognitive tasks involving inhibitory control function and basic information processing by performing the Stroop Word Color task. Our results showed that compared to the application of tDCS or AE alone, the combined intervention of tDCS and AE had a greater effect on improving inhibitory control function in healthy young adults. The amplitude of P200, N200, and N450 ERP components also changed more significantly during the Stroop Word Color task. We concluded that the mechanism of tDCS combined with AE in improving inhibitory control ability may involve synergistic effects on brain structures at different levels, such as regulating interactions at the reticular activating system level and activating corresponding brain regions at the medial frontal lobe and frontal lobe levels.

Influence of upright exercise with external thoracic and pelvic compression on thoracic expansion and respiratory function in healthy young adults: A pilot study

Influence of upright exercise with external thoracic and pelvic compression on thoracic expansion and respiratory function in healthy young adults: A pilot study

Dose-response Of Creatine Supplementation On Cognitive Function In Healthy Young Adults

Dose-response Of Creatine Supplementation On Cognitive Function In Healthy Young Adults

Dose-Response of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Adults.

To determine if creatine (Cr) supplementation could influence cognitive performance and whether any changes were related to changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during such cognitive tasks, thirty (M = 11, F = 19) participants were evenly randomized to receive supplementation with Cr (CR10:10 g/day or CR20:20 g/day) or a placebo (PLA:10 g/day) for 6 weeks. Participants completed a cognitive test battery (processing speed, episodic memory, and attention) on two separate occasions prior to and following supplementation. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure PFC oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) during the cognitive evaluation. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the differences between the groups and the timepoints for the cognitive performance scores and PFC O2Hb. In addition, a one-way ANOVA of % change was used to determine pre- and post-differences between the groups. Creatine (independent of dosage) had no significant effect on the measures of cognitive performance. There was a trend for decreased relative PFC O2Hb in the CR10 group versus the PLA group in the processing speed test (p = 0.06). Overall, six weeks of Cr supplementation at a moderate or high dose does not improve cognitive performance or change PFC activation in young adults.

Hippocampal functional connectivity mediates the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function in healthy young adults.

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) induces neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus, a key brain region for memory and learning. We investigated the association between CRF and functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampus in healthy young adults. We also examined the association between hippocampal FC and neurocognitive function. Lastly, we tested whether hippocampal FC mediates the association between 2-Min Walk Test (2MWT) and neurocognitive function. 913 young adults (28.7 ± 3.7 years) from the Human Connectome Project were included in the analyses. The 2MWT performance result was used as a proxy for cardiovascular endurance. Fluid and crystalized composite neurocognitive scores were used to assess cognition. Resting-state functional MRI data were processed to measure hippocampal FC. Linear regression was used to examine the association between 2MWT, hippocampal FC, and neurocognitive outcomes after controlling for age, sex, years of education, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and gait speed. Better 2MWT performance was associated with greater FC between the anterior hippocampus and right posterior cingulate and left middle temporal gyrus. No associations between 2MWT and posterior hippocampal FC, whole hippocampal FC, and caudate FC (control region) were observed. Greater anterior hippocampal FC was associated with better crystalized cognition scores. Lastly, greater FC between the anterior hippocampus and right posterior cingulate mediated the association between better 2MWT scores and higher crystalized cognition scores. Anterior hippocampal FC may be one underlying neurophysiological mechanism that promotes the association between 2MWT performance and crystalized composite cognitive function in healthy young adults.

Synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation on executive function and biomarkers in healthy young adults

ObjectiveThis research explored the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and aerobic exercise (AE) on executive function and specific serum biomarkers in healthy adults. MethodsSixty healthy young adults were randomly assigned into tDCS+AE, tDCS only, or AE only groups. Interventions were carried out for 20 days. Executive functions were evaluated using tasks such as the 2,3-back task, the spatial working memory task, the Stroop test, T test, and hexagonal obstacle jump task. Serum biomarkers, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutamate, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and iron ion, were analyzed pre- and post-intervention. ResultsThe tDCS+AE group showed superior enhancements in executive function, evidenced by improved accuracy rates in 2,3-back tasks, better performance in the staircase task, and reduced reaction times in the incongruent reaction time of the Stroop task compared to other groups. Importantly, we found substantial changes in serum biomarkers: increased levels of BDNF and SOD, and decreased levels of MDA and glutamate in the tDCS+AE group. These changes were significantly different when compared with the tDCS and AE only groups. Notably, these alterations in serum biomarkers were correlated with improvements in executive function tasks, thus offering a potential physiological basis for the cognitive improvements witnessed. ConclusionThe combined tDCS and AE intervention effectively improved executive function in healthy young adults, with the improvements linked to changes in key serum biomarkers. The results emphasize the potential of combined tDCS and AE interventions in engaging multiple physiological pathways to enhance executive function.

Pupil dynamics during very light exercise predict benefits to prefrontal cognition

Physical exercise, even stress-free very-light-intensity exercise such as yoga and very slow running, can have beneficial effects on executive function, possibly by potentiating prefrontal cortical activity. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this potentiation have not been identified. Evidence from studies using pupillometry demonstrates that pupil changes track the real-time dynamics of activity linked to arousal and attention, including neural circuits from the locus coeruleus to the cortex. This makes it possible to examine whether pupil-linked brain dynamics induced during very-light-intensity exercise mediate benefits to prefrontal executive function in healthy young adults. In this experiment, pupil diameter was measured during 10 min of very-light-intensity exercise (30% V˙o2peak). A Stroop task was used to assess executive function before and after exercise. Prefrontal cortical activation during the task was assessed using multichannel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We observed that very-light-intensity exercise significantly elicited pupil dilation, reduction of Stroop interference, and task-related left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation compared with the resting-control condition. The magnitude of change in pupil dilation predicted the magnitude of improvement in Stroop performance. In addition, causal mediation analysis showed that pupil dilation during very-light-intensity exercise robustly determined subsequent enhancement of Stroop performance. This finding supports our hypothesis that the pupil-linked mechanisms, which may be tied to locus coeruleus activation, are a potential mechanism by which very light exercise enhances prefrontal cortex activation and executive function. It also suggests that pupillometry may be a useful tool to interpret the beneficial impact of exercise on boosting cognition.

Resting state EEG complexity as a predictor of cognitive performance

Sustained spontaneous activity in the resting state brain represents the intrinsic state of the brain during most cognitive tasks. Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures of the resting state have shown potential as biomarkers for the evaluation of cognitive performance, but there is a lack of validation across health and different diseased populations. This study aims to decode cognitive function from resting-state EEG activity, and demonstrates that nonlinear dynamic features of EEG signals can be used to predict cognitive performance in healthy young adults, elderly adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) using the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) prediction model. In particular, the results showed that performance in cognitive task can be predicted by the resting-state EEG-based measures in these three populations (correlation coefficients between predicted values and observed true values were: r=0.39, p < 0.01; r=0.76, p < 0.001; and r=0.40, p < 0.001; respectively). Furthermore, we observed a U-shaped or inverted U-shaped distribution of multiscale fuzzy entropy index (MFEI) in healthy, aging and diseased populations, which symbolizes the law of complexity and health. The results suggest that the dynamic complexity of resting state EEG oscillations can predict certain dimensions of cognitive function in both health and mental illness, and highlights the nonlinear relationship between neurological measures and cognitive health status. These findings may provide insights into the development of treatments to improve cognition.

Dyspnea induced by inspiratory loading limits dual-tasking in healthy young adults.

Dyspnea is a common and multidimensional experience of healthy adults and those with respiratory disorders. Due to its neural processing, it may limit or interfere with cognition, which may be examined with a dual-task paradigm. The aim of this study was to compare single-task performance of Stroop Colour and Word Test (SCWT) or inspiratory threshold loading (ITL) to their combined dual-task performance. Secondly, whether mood was related to dyspnea or cognitive performance was also evaluated. A virtual pre-post design examined single (SCWT and ITL) and dual-task (SCWT+ITL) performance. For ITL, a Threshold Trainer™ was used to elicit a "somewhat severe" rating of dyspnea. The SCWT required participants to indicate whether a colour-word was congruent or incongruent with its semantic meaning. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was completed to assess mood. Breathing frequency, Borg dyspnea rating, and breathing endurance time were ascertained. Thirty young healthy adults (15F, 15M; median age = 24, IQR [23-26] years) completed the study. SCWT+ITL had lower SCWT accuracy compared to SCWT alone (98.6%, [97.1-100.0] vs 99.5%, [98.6-100.0]; p = 0.009). Endurance time was not different between ITL and SCWT+ITL (14.5 minutes, [6.9-15.0]) vs 13.7 minutes, [6.1-15.0]; p = 0.59). DASS-21 scores positively correlated with dyspnea scores during ITL (rho = 0.583, p<0.001) and SCWT+ITL (rho = 0.592, p<0.001). ITL significantly reduced dual-task performance in healthy young adults. Lower mood was associated with greater perceived dyspnea during single and dual-task ITL. Considering the prevalence of dyspnea in respiratory disorders, the findings of this dual task paradigm warrant further exploration to inform dyspnea management during daily activities.

Effects of interferential current electrical stimulation (IFCS) on mastication and swallowing function in healthy young adults: A preliminary study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interferential current electrical stimulation (IFCS) on masticatory and swallowing function. Twenty healthy young adults were enrolled. The measurement items were spontaneous swallowing frequency (SSF), voluntary swallowing frequency (VSF), saliva secretion volume (SSV), glucose elution volume (GEV), and velocity of chew (VOC). All participants underwent both IFCS and sham stimulation (without stimulation, sham). Two sets of independent IFCS electrodes were placed on the bilateral neck. The precise location of the upper electrodes was just below the angle of the mandible, while the lower electrodes were placed at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The intensity of IFCS was determined to be one level below the perceptual threshold that all participants felt discomfort. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. For IFCS, the results of each measurement before and during stimulation were SSF: 1.16 and 1.46, VSF: 8.05 and 8.45, SSV: 5.33 and 5.56 g, GEV: 171.75 and 208.60 mg/dL, and VOC: 87.20 and 95.20, respectively. SSF, GEV, and VOC during stimulation were significantly increased by IFCS (SSF, p = .009; GEV, p = .048; and VOC, p = .007). Following sham stimulation, the results were SSF: 1.24 and 1.34, VSF: 7.75 and 7.90, SSV: 5.65 and 6.04 g, GEV: 176.45 and 187.35 mg/dL, and VOC: 91.35 and 88.25, respectively. While no significant differences were observed in the sham group, our findings suggest that IFCS of the superior laryngeal nerve may impact not only the swallowing function but also the masticatory function.

Can computerized cognitive training enhance executive functions in healthy young adults? A preliminary study

Computerized cognitive training (CCT) is a computer-based intervention that targets cognitive functioning that has become increasingly popular in the recent decade. We examined the effectiveness of RehaCom as a standard computerized cognitive training on the executive functions of healthy adults in this preliminary study. The study was a quasi-experimental study using a pretest-posttest experimental design without a control group. The participants included 10 healthy adults. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Trail Making Test (TMT), Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) computerized tasks. The subjects trained by RehaCom software for 45 minutes per day, one day per week, for a total of four sessions over one month. Data were analyzed in the SPSS software (version 26) using the paired t-test test. Results show significant enhancement in participants’ central executive functioning (p < 0.01), shifting (p<0.05), and planning (p<0.05). A computerized cognitive training program can improve cognitive functions of healthy adults.