Test Scores Research Articles

Satun province’s research-based learning initiative under Thailand’s “education sandbox” policy: design, implementation and outcomes

PurposeThis study aims to enhance the quality of education in Thailand by exploring an educational innovation emphasizing community identities, available resources and needs. It describes the design and implementation of the Satun research-based learning (RBL) initiative under Thailand’s Education Innovation Area Act B.E. 2562, which allowed 10 pilot schools in Satun to develop curriculums for early childhood and primary school levels that incorporated localities’ contexts during the 2018–2019 academic year.Design/methodology/approachTo evaluate the innovation’s impacts, primary data were collected and verified through methodological triangulation and cross-validation, and then qualitatively analyzed using content analysis.FindingsStudents demonstrated improvements in reading and writing, analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, public presentation and creativity. Teachers were more engaged in students’ learning development and felt closer to students. School administrators embraced collaboration with teachers, school committees, parents and communities. Parents recognized students’ eagerness to study and academic improvements. Quantitatively, a difference-in-differences analysis of all 6th-grade Satun students’ standardized test scores from 2016 to 2019 showed that improvements in the participating students’ Thai and English scores were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. These findings suggest that policymakers can improve educational quality by accounting for community contexts and constraints.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in the large-scale RBL initiative under investigation and its approach to evaluating the quantitative impacts of this initiative.

Normative data for teleneuropsychological testing: findings from a Canadian adult cohort.

Use of teleneuropsychological services has greatly increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to create normative data for a neuropsychological test battery of diverse cognitive domains in a Canadian population. A sample (n = 291) of adults aged 19 or older completed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (i.e. memory, executive function, etc.) via Zoom. Participants included those with a COVID-19 diagnosis (n = 146) and participants who had not contracted COVID-19 (n = 145). Data were stratified by age group as follows: 19-34, 35-49, 50-64, 65-79. Linear bivariate regression in the entire sample and groups stratified by age was used to test the relationship between age and test scores. Test scores were converted to z-scores using the mean and standard deviation for that group, with z-scores then transformed into normative scores for each test. Age was a significant predictor of scores for all tests except for FAS, HVLT-R (Retention, Recognition), and Digit Span (Forwards, Backwards). After raw test scores were regressed onto age for each group, age was no longer a significant predictor for most test scores, with exceptions for each age group. This study created normative data for a diverse teleneuropsychological test battery in a Canadian population. Standard-ized scores generally fell within the average range, with the exception of TOPF and JLO scores, which may be explained by high educational attainment and virtual testing environment, respectively. The results suggest that the teleneuropsychological testing environment results in similar performance to in-person assessment.

Does Corequisite Remediation Work for Everyone? An Exploration of Heterogeneous Effects and Mechanisms

Abstract The landscape of developmental education has experienced significant shifts over the last decade nationwide, as more than 20 states and higher education systems have transitioned from the traditional prerequisite model to corequisite remediation. Drawing on administrative data from Tennessee community colleges from 2010 to 2020, this study examined the heterogeneous effects of corequisite reform for remediation-eligible students with varying levels of academic preparation. Using difference-in-differences and event study designs, we found that corequisite remediation significantly improved gateway and subsequent college-level course completion for students in all placement test score groups below the college-level threshold. For math, the positive effects on college-level course completion were stronger for higher-scoring remedial students than for those with lower placement test scores, whereas the pattern was reversed for English. However, since the corequisite reform, students requiring remediation were more likely to drop out of the public college system, and those with the lowest scores were less likely to earn short-term certificates.

Effects of early AP coursetaking on high school outcomes and college enrollment for less academically prepared students

The expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) programs to include students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and those from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds has made it crucial to assess how effective AP courses and exams are for these groups. As AP programs become more popular, more high school students–especially freshmen and sophomores–are signing up for AP courses. Despite this growing trend, there’s still not enough research on how early AP participation affects these particular students. This study fills this research gap by exploring the benefits of early AP involvement for students considered academically underprepared based on prior test scores. We find that early AP course participation leads to higher scores on state exit exams, greater enrollment in early college credit courses, and increased college attendance and completion rates, particularly at four-year institutions. These findings challenge the reliance on prior test scores as the sole predictor of AP success and future academic achievements, suggesting a need for a more comprehensive approach to evaluating students’ readiness for the rigors of AP coursework.

Examining the Impact of In-Person and Remote Administration Modality on Free-Standing and Embedded Performance Validity Test Scores in Neuropsychological Assessment

Examining the Impact of In-Person and Remote Administration Modality on Free-Standing and Embedded Performance Validity Test Scores in Neuropsychological Assessment

Emotions in mathematics learning: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Academic emotions play a crucial role in mathematics learning, significantly influencing motivation, academic achievement, and career aspirations in mathematics. With the notable increase in research on emotions in recent years, our review uses Pekrun’s control-value theory with two primary objectives: to systematically describe the characteristics of emotions in recent research through a systematic review, and to synthesize evidence on the relationships between specific emotions, control-value antecedents, and mathematics achievement via a meta-analysis. The systematic review of 112 studies revealed that more than 100 specific emotions have been addressed in recent research, which we analyzed based on key emotion characteristics: valence and activation, type of object, temporal stability, and social context. The findings from the systematic review provide an overview of mathematics-specific objects that emotions have referred to in the most recent research. The subsequent meta-analysis demonstrated that mathematics achievement (e.g., test scores and grades) was positively related to enjoyment, hope, and pride ( $$\overline{r}$$ r ¯ = .247, .224, and .344, respectively) but negatively related to anger, boredom, frustration, hopelessness, and shame ( $$\overline{r}$$ r ¯ = − .322, − .187, − .207, − .378, and − .291, respectively). Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Implementation and evaluation of online and offline blended teaching model in laboratory course of Clinical Laboratory Hematology

This study explores the implementation and evaluation of online and offline blended teaching model in the Clinical Laboratory Hematology (CLH) laboratory course at Chengdu Medical College. To this end, 90 students majoring in medical laboratory technology in 2020 were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group adopted an online and offline blended teaching model, while the control group adopted a traditional one. After-class tests, laboratory examinations, questionnaire surveys, and student interviews were conducted to evaluate the teaching effectiveness. The average scores of both tests and examinations in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the results of the feedback questionnaire showed that the satisfaction and self-evaluation of the learning effect of students in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The blended teaching model has been successful and popular in CLH. This is a useful teaching mode worth applying to laboratory teaching in medical courses.

Comparison of peer assisted learning versus conventional teaching system among undergraduate Medical students in term of knowledge, skill and attitude.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of peer assisted learning versus conventional learning among the undergraduate students of a medical college in term of knowledge, skill and attitude. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Physiology Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Lyari. Period: 23 September to 04 November 2024. Methods: Non probability sampling technique was used to divide the group of 100 students from First year MBBS into two equal groups. One group ‘A’ of fifty students selected for Peer learning and the other group ‘B’ of fifty students selected for conventional learning through faculty teaching. Topic of ECG was selected, which included, knowledge about ECG and performance of electrocardiography on the subject. Formative assessments of both the sub groups were taken through BCQs, SEQs and OSPEs. Results: There was no significant difference (P≥ 0.05) in knowledge score, whereas significant difference was found in test scores of skill and attitude of PAL versus CT (P ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that both PAL and CT groups were found to be equally effective in improving knowledge, but PAL can be included in a curriculum to improve the skills and attitude of First year MBBS students regarding ECG.

Impact of phonological awareness intervention combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on rapid automatized naming and verbal short term memory in developmental dyslexia: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose This study evaluates the effects of phonological awareness (PA) and combined PA/transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) interventions to improve rapid automatized naming (RAN) and verbal short-term memory (VSTM) in developmental dyslexia. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial, we included a PA+sham tDCS group [Mean age: 9.54 (1.15), 71% male] and a PA+ active tDCS group [Mean age: 9.18 (1.30), 85% male] in which we applied tDCS over the left parieto-temporal junction. Each volunteer participated in 15 intervention sessions (session duration 60 min, 3 times per week × 5 weeks). Data of the groups over time were analyzed by a mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the between-subject factor group and the within-subject factor time. Results The PA intervention led to increased RAN and VSTM test scores in both groups after the end of interventions (p < 0.05). tDCS had no further effect on outcome measures as compared to PA intervention alone. Conclusions PA training is valuable to improve RAN and VSTM abilities in dyslexia. Anodal tDCS during the PA intervention had no further therapeutic effect on these skills. Therefore, the use of anodal tDCS over the left parieto-temporal junction is not recommended to improve RAN and VSTM functions in dyslexia.

Putting the K in rank: how kindergarten classrooms impact short- and long-run outcomes

ABSTRACT I study the impact of kindergarten class rank on short- and long-run outcomes, using data from the Tennessee STAR project. I find a causal relationship between a student’s kindergarten classroom rank and test scores in grades 1–8, high school achievement, and whether they take a college entrance exam. Furthermore, a higher rank in kindergarten causes an increase in study effort, the value of schooling, and initiative in the classroom, as measured in grade 4.

Semi-Parametric Item Response Theory With O'Sullivan Splines for Item Responses and Response Time.

Response time (RT) has been an essential resource for supplementing the estimation accuracy of latent traits and item parameters in educational testing. Most item response theory (IRT) approaches are based on parametric RT models. However, since test takers may alter their behaviors during a test due to motivation or strategy shifts, fatigue, or other causes, parametric IRT models are unlikely to capture such subtle and nonlinear information. In this work, we propose a novel semi-parametric IRT model with O'Sullivan splines to accommodate the flexible mean RT shapes and explore the underlying nonlinear relationships between latent traits and RT. A simulation study was conducted to demonstrate the substantial improvement in parameter estimation achieved by the new model, as well as the detriment of using parametric models in terms of biases and measurement errors. Using this model, a dataset of mathematics test scores and RT from the Programme for International Student Assessment was analyzed to demonstrate the evident nonlinearity and to compare the proposed model with existing models in terms of model fitting. The findings presented in this study indicate the promising nature of the new approach, suggesting its potential as an additional psychometric tool to enhance test reliability and reduce measurement errors.

Long-term effects of dupilumab on chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A step towards clinical remission.

Clinical remission, defined as the absence of disease activity and symptoms, is an emerging goal in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of dupilumab on patients with CRSwNP, with or without asthma, and explore the potential for achieving clinical remission. A two-year prospective study was conducted on 109 patients with CRSwNP, with or without asthma, who were eligible for dupilumab as an add-on therapy. Comprehensive assessments, including clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluations, were performed before and after treatment. Clinical remission of CRSwNP was defined as 12 months of dupilumab treatment, no exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (OCS), no need for nasal sinus operation, no anosmia or hyposmia, a Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score under 20, and a Lund-Mackay score (LMS) below 10. For those with comorbid asthma, clinical remission was defined as an asthma control test (ACT) score of 19 or higher, no asthma exacerbations, and no need for OCS. Dupilumab significantly improved CRSwNP outcomes in both groups, including SNOT-22 scores, nasal polyp size (LMS), and anosmia/hyposmia. Comorbid asthma was highly prevalent (79.8%), and patients with asthma had significantly larger nasal polyps, both before and after dupilumab therapy, despite similar symptom improvement. Higher fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophil count (BEC) levels, along with anosmia/hyposmia, predicted larger polyp size. Dupilumab also significantly improved asthma outcomes, increasing forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and decreasing FeNO. Clinical remission was achieved in 11% of patients, with a slightly lower rate in those with asthma (7.3%). Dupilumab treatment can achieve clinical remission in CRSwNP. However, comorbid asthma appears to reduce the likelihood of remission and is associated with larger nasal polyps, even with similar symptom improvement. Asthma may independently influence polyp development, potentially impacting long-term outcomes in CRSwNP.

Machine learning techniques for independent gait recovery prediction in acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning-based predictive model for gait recovery in patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.MethodsBetween May and November 2023, 237 patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into training and validation sets at a 7:3 ratio. Thirty-one medical characteristics were collected, and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was applied to screen predictor variables. Predictive models were developed using the Random Survival Forest (RSF) and COX regression methods. The optimal model was identified based on C-index values. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was employed to interpret the RSF model globally and locally.ResultsTen predictors were identified through LASSO regression, including age, gender, periventricular white matter hyperintensities (PVWMH), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), enlarged perivascular spaces in basal ganglia (BG-EPVS), lacunes, parietal infarction, basal ganglia infarction, and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test score. The C-index values of the COX regression and RSF models were 0.741 and 0.761 in the training set and 0.705 and 0.725 in the validation set, respectively. SHAP analysis of the RSF model identified BG-EPVS, TUG, MoCA, age, and PVWMH as the top five most influential predictors of gait recovery.ConclusionThe RSF model demonstrated superior performance to the COX regression model in predicting gait recovery, offering a reliable tool for clinical decision-making regarding stroke patients’ prognoses.

Effectiveness of Community Based Nutritional Education of Mothers on Nutritional Status of their Children below 6 Years of Age in Selected Rural Area

Background: Children are the future of any nation and the progress of any nation depends upon the education that they acquire today, the same kind of education they will apply on themselves or their nation future. It is necessary for any nation to take special care of below 6-year children by providing basic components like well-balanced food, excellence education, hospital and shelter. Community based nutritional education process can increase the growth and development, and performance of their children. The nutritional education of mothers is vital for child grooming and they are their first educator. Methods: A Pre-experimental research design as used for current study. Assessment of nutritional status of children below 6 years of age and their mothers, was assessed by using anthropometric measurement scale, 50 samples were selected by using convenient sampling technique who are below 6 year children and their mothers residing at Sigikeri LT and Sigikeri rural areas of Bagalkot taluk, district, Karnataka. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The result of pretest score depicts that the majority of Children, were 26(52%) found with normal level up Malnutrition, 24(48%) were with mild level of Malnutrition, and no one had Moderate, Severe and Very severe levels of Malnutrition. Whereas the post test score depicts that majority 47(94%) of children were normal score of level of malnutrition (&gt;80%), followed by 3(6%) of children were mild level of malnutrition score (71-80%). Hence study the depicts that there is an significance difference in between pre test scores and post test scores of Height, Weight and Midarm circumference, and it shows community based nutritional education was found to be effective. There was a no significant association found between nutritional status of children. With sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: The overall study findings depicted that the effectiveness of community based on nutritional ...

Are you tuned in to others' mind? A cross-modal evaluation of affective theory of mind in people with Parkinson's disease.

Affective Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to understand other peoples' emotional states and feelings. Several studies showed impaired affective ToM abilities in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, most studies tested this ability by using single-stimulus modality tasks (visual cues). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether affective ToM abilities are impaired in PD using multiple stimulus modalities and whether they are related to disease duration and cognitive/emotional abilities. Twenty mid-stage, non-demented people with PD and 20 matched controls were evaluated by means of two tasks requiring subjects to infer others' mental states from the eyes' expression - the Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RME) test, and from the emotional prosody - a modified version of the Reading the Mind in the Voice (RMV) test. In people with PD, cognitive function and emotional processes were assessed through cognitive tasks and batteries of facial and prosodic emotion recognition tests. Compared to controls, the PD group showed significantly impaired performances in both RME and RMV tests (p<0.0001). Affective ToM abilities in people with PD were not correlated with cognitive function or disease duration. Visual recognition of anger and auditory recognition of fear were positively correlated with RME (p=0.0028) and RMV (p<0.0001) test scores, respectively. Cross-modal impairment of affective ToM abilities is a non-motor feature of PD, unrelated to disease stage or cognitive status. A dysfunctional amygdala-centred network might represent the shared bases for impairments in fear and anger recognition and affective ToM abilities in PD.

Binaural auditory beats vs music of choice as audio distraction behaviour guidance technique among children: A randomized controlled trial.

Binaural beat is created by presenting two different pure-tone sine waves with less than a 30Hz difference dichotically. In dental settings, children listening to familiar music during treatments gain control over the anxiety caused by tools like the airotor or syringe, creating a comforting, familiar environment. To evaluate and compare anxiety level during restorative treatment using No Music, Music of choice and Binaural Auditory Beats as Audio distraction behaviour guidance technique in children aged 6-12 years. In-vivo, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group randomized study was conducted in the department of pediatric and preventive dentistry where 75 participants were allocated into 3 groups. The teeth with Class I cavity in primary and permanent molars were prepared and restored. Anxiety was measured pre- and post-intervention using Pulse oximeter and Venham's picture test. Children who were treated with Binaural beats and Music of choice showed reduction in anxiety levels as indicated by lower anxiety scores in Venham picture test and pulse rate values as compared to the control group. Binaural auditory beats and Music of choice can be used effectively as a non-invasive treatment modality to reduce anxiety in apprehensive pediatric patients.

Management of presymptomatic juvenile patients with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD).

Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) includes patients from 1 year of age to adulthood. The vast heterogeneity in clinical manifestations and disease progression is not fully explained; however, a short disease duration and a young age seem to be good predictors of a better response to treatment. For this purpose, we investigated and followed up a cohort of 13 juvenile patients with LOPD from the clinical and therapeutic point of view, mainly pointing out the transition from presymptomatic to symptomatic status. We retrospectively collected clinical, morphological, biochemical and molecular data from 13 juvenile LOPD patients. Motor and respiratory functional data, obtained during annual follow-up visits, were analyzed. The data included serial evaluations of the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), the Gait, Stairs, Gower, and Chair (GSGC) score, and seated and supine Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). Muscle Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was also included, although it was not performed in all cases. Currently, patients mean age is 18 years. All patients but one were diagnosed because of an isolated hyperCKemia: the mean age at diagnosis was 6.8 years (range 1-18). The onset of symptoms occurred from 6 months to 12 years after the diagnosis. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 9 years (range 2-18). From the genetic point of view, the most shared mutation was c.32-13T>G, found in twelve patients as compound heterozygosis. Seven patients underwent muscle biopsy, which showed vacuolar myopathy with glycogen accumulation in four of them with unspecific changes in the other three cases. Five patients developed proximal muscle weakness during the follow-up with a mild waddling gait and a positive Gowers manoeuver. Muscle MRI revealed mild hypotrophy of the thighs at the development of symptoms in four out of five cases. Four patients started alglucosidase alfa, and one avalglucosidase alfa. These five patients on Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) showed motor and respiratory stability in the following years. Timely identification of emerging clinical manifestations in presymptomatic LOPD patients, as a result of careful follow-up, is essential to start prompt treatment to modify the disease natural course.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Anti-CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies in Patients Aged ≥ 65 Years With Daily or Nondaily Migraine.

Despite decreasing prevalence of migraine with advancing age, there remains a significant proportion of individuals aged ≥65 years with migraine. Treatment of this population is difficult and they are often excluded from clinical trials, limiting evidence regarding migraine treatment outcomes. Our objective is to assess the efficacy and tolerability of anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies (erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab) in patients ≥65 years (O65) compared with patients <65 (U65) with daily or nondaily migraine. This observational study uses retrospective data from the electronic medical records of patients who were treated with an anti-CGRP mAb between June 2018 and November 2021. Efficacy was determined through a reduction in monthly migraine days (MMDs) and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) scores from baseline to posttreatment. Tolerability was examined through the number of adverse events reported per group. Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the efficacy and tolerability of U65 and O65 patients overall and separated into daily and nondaily migraine groups. The dataset consisted of U65 (n = 2,707; median [interquartile range]; 45.4 [35.8-53.8] years) or O65 (n = 304; 69.5 [67.3-73.3] years) and further separated into daily (n = 1,303) and nondaily (n = 1,708) migraine. There was no difference (p = 0.57) in the median MMD reduction between U65 (10 days [0.0-17.0]) and O65 (10 days [0.0-16.5]). Similarly, no difference was found among patients with nondaily migraine (p = 0.82) and patients with daily migraine (p = 0.59). HIT-6 scores decreased from severe to moderate/substantial impact for all groups. The daily and nondaily groups showed differences in meeting the 50% improvement threshold (nondaily U65, 67% vs daily U65, 54%, p < 0.0001; nondaily O65, 65% vs daily O65, 49%, p = 0.008). Side effects were reported (829/3,011), with a higher incidence in the U65 (22% O65, 28% U65). The most common side effects for both groups were injection site reaction/rash (40%) and constipation (25%). This retrospective analysis provides real-world evidence that there is no difference in the efficacy and tolerability of treatment with erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab in patients O65 when compared with patients U65 both with daily or nondaily migraine. These data may help guide the choice of migraine treatment in older populations.

Middle-age cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive function in later life: a population-based prospective cohort study.

Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a major pathologic substrate of vascular contribution to cognitive impairment. However, population based long-term longitudinal cognitive function data in relation to cSVD are rare. We investigated the relationship between cSVD and cognitive decline over time in middle-aged through elderly population. This prospective cohort study was conducted in a community-based adult population (avg. age 58.5±6.4) who underwent both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and comprehensive neuropsychological tests at baseline (2011-2014). The participants were followed-up with the same neuropsychological test battery 4-yearly in two more cycles (in 2015-2018 and 2019-2022). A total of 2454 participants who were free of dementia and cerebrovascular disease at baseline with cognitive function testing at least 2 time points over the time were analyzed. Data analysis was performed from May 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. SVD was defined by the presence of any of the visible MRI markers (age-related white matter change, lacunes and cerebral microbleeds) at baseline. The main outcomes were multivariable adjusted mean differences of cognitive test performances by cSVD groups over time. The neuropsychological assessment battery included verbal and visual memory, verbal fluency, Digit Symbol-coding, Trail Making Test-A, and Stroop Test. To examine the relationship between cSVD and cognitive function, we used linear mixed model for repeated measurements to compare the means (95% CIs) by cSVD groups. Of the total, 908 (37.0%) participants had cSVD on MRI reading at baseline. By location, cSVD were mostly found in the frontal lobe followed by basal ganglia area of the brain. None of the cognitive test scores, except Trail Making Test-A, were significantly different between the cSVD groups at baseline. At 8-year follow-up, participants without cSVD performed significantly better than participants with cSVD in Stroop-color reading [Mean difference 1.19 (95% CI: 0.02-2.36), p=0.0451] and visual reproduction-recognition [Mean difference 0.11 (95% CI: 0.01-0.21), p=0.0221]. While no other cognitive tests showed any differential changes by cSVD groups, logical memory (Story Recall Tests) increased and Stroop-word reading decreased over time in both cSVD groups almost identically. Silent cSVD was independently associated with decline in executive functioning over 8-year follow-up period in this Korean middle-aged through elderly general population. Future studies considering wider spectrum of cSVD and longer follow-up durations may help predict further cognitive outcomes. This study was funded by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Effects of Exergame Training on Executive Function and Heart Rate Variability in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: ARandomized Controlled Study.

Exergame has become widely popular and offers great levels of cognitive demands, thus may facilitate cognitive benefits. In addition, researchers have proposed that cardiac autonomic function, assessed via heart rate variability (HRV), is associated with cognitive executive function. However, few exergame training studies have investigated this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 10-week exergame training on executive function and HRV in middle-aged and older adults. Ninety-one participants were randomly assigned to either an exergame training group (63.73±4.48years) or a control group (62.46±4.77years). The training program was 50min per session, twice per week for 10weeks. The control group was instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle. All participants completed questionnaires and received assessments of executive functions and electrocardiography at baseline and postintervention. Results revealed significant group-by-time interaction effects for the three indices of the digit span test and the total initiation time of the Tower of London task with better postintervention performances achieved by the exergame group. The 6 min walk test also improved significantly in the exergame group but not in the control group. No significant change in HRV was observed for both groups. There were significant correlations between HRV and digit span test scores. Our results suggest that the 10-week exergame training program was effective in improving executive functions of working memory, inhibitory control, and planning ability as well as aerobic fitness in middle-aged and older adults. Moreover, HRV was associated with improved executive function.