Effects of attention and concentration on performance and training methods in athletes

Athletes have to receive a large amount of complex and variable information at all times during training and competition, especially in high-level events, where the processing of clinical stimuli directly determines victory or defeat when athletes are of comparable abilities. Therefore, it is particularly important to improve the attention and executive function of high-level athletes, and the traditional way is to improve the attention of sports through the perspective of sports training, while neglecting the analysis of sports EEG characteristics. Therefore, this paper proposes a deep learning-based EEG signal classification method. In the data processing stage, z-score normalizationis used for feature data and one-hot coding is used for label data. After that, the pre-processed EEG data are divided into three parts: training set, validation set and test set. The training set is mainly used for the training stage of the model, the validation set is mainly used for the setting of hyper-parameters, and the test set is used for the evaluation of the model performance. In the model training stage, two recursive structures, Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), wereused as the base predictor, and the AdaBoost algorithm was used to integrate the prediction of the results obtained after the training of the base predictor, and the four states of the athlete's brainwave were finally classified and identified. The four states of the athlete's brain waves were finally classified and identified. The experiments in this paper are carried out on the dataset provided by Physio Net, and the experimental results show that this scheme has better effectiveness and accuracy, and can improve the performance and training effect of athletes (AU)

Validity Evidence for the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) in Spanish Population / Evidencias de Validez de la Escala de Autoabsorción (SAS) en Población Española

Background: The Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) is one of the few instruments that measure dysfunctional self-focused attention or self-absorption, a transdiagnostic factor of vulnerability to various emotional disorders. The internal structure of the Spanish version of the SAS and its relationship with other variables have not been examined, nor has whether its subscales provide relevant information. These were the two goals of the present study. Method: The factor structure of the SAS, its internal consistency, and its relationship with depression and post-traumatic stress were analyzed in a Spanish community sample of 519 adults. Results: The SAS presented a symmetrical bifactor structure with a general factor of self-absorption that explained most of the variance in the items and two specific factors of private and public self-absorption. The total scale and the two subscales of the SAS exhibited excellent, good or adequate reliability coefficients (alphas/omegas = .70 – .88) and correlated with depression and post-traumatic stress (r = .34 – .46). Conclusions: The SAS provides reliable, valid measures of dysfunctional self-focused attention in Spanish adults, but its Private and Public Self-absorption subscales are not much more useful than the information provided by its total scale.(AU)

Antecedentes: la Escala de Autoabsorción (SAS) es uno de los pocos instrumentos que mide la atención autofocalizada disfuncional o autoabsorción, un factor transdiagnóstico de vulnerabilidad a diversos trastornos emocionales. La estructura interna de la versión española de la SAS y su relación con otras variables no han sido examinadas, ni tampoco si sus subescalas aportan información relevante. Estos fueron los objetivos del presente estudio. Método: se analizó la estructura factorial de la SAS, su consistencia interna y la relación con la sintomatología depresiva y de estrés postraumático en una muestra comunitaria española de 519 adultos. Resultados: la SAS presentó una estructura bifactor simétrica con un factor general de autoabsorción que explicaba la mayoría de la varianza de los ítems y dos factores específicos de autoabsorción privada y pública. La escala total y las dos subescalas mostraron coeficientes de fiabilidad excelentes, buenos o adecuados (alfas/omegas = .70 – .88) y correlacionaban con la depresión y el estrés postraumático (r = .34 – .46). Conclusiones: la SAS proporciona medidas fiables y válidas de la atención autofocalizada disfuncional en adultos españoles, pero sus subescalas de autoabsorción privada y pública pueden no ser muy útiles más allá de la información proporcionada por su escala total.(AU)

Independencia del perfil antropométrico, atención e inteligencia en estudiantes de educación superior en el ámbito de actividad física de Chile / Independence of the anthropometric profile, attention and intelligence in higher education students in the field of physical activity in Chile

Introducción: la cineantropometría es la ciencia actual que estudia los parámetros corporales en relación con su funcionamiento (por ejemplo, composición corporal, proporcionalidad, somatotipo, etc.), con normas, técnicas y criterios establecidos. Objetivo: relacionar el perfil antropométrico, la atención y la resolución de problemas en estudiantes de educación superior en el ámbito de actividad física de Chile. Método: enfoque cuantitativo-correlacional, diseño no experimental y de corte transversal. Resultados: no existe una relación significativa entre la composición corporal (masas corporales) y las pruebas cognitivas (atención y Raven). En relación con los datos antropométricos (composición corporal), no se observaron diferencias significativas entre ambos sexos para ningún parámetro. Conclusión: se deduce que los resultados de los factores cognitivos pueden estar asociados a otras variables, y no específicamente a las variables que pueden afectar los parámetros antropométricos. Estos temas son muy interesantes para próximos estudios, por lo que se sugiere seguir estudiando las habilidades cognitivas con otras variables. (AU)

Introduction: kinanthropometry is the current science that studies body parameters in relation to its functioning (such as body composition, proportionality, somatotype, etc.), with established norms, techniques and criteria. Objective: to relate anthropometric profile, attention and problem solving in higher education students in the field of physical activity in Chile. Method: quantitative-correlational approach, with non-experimental and cross-sectional design. Results: there is no significant relationship between body composition (body masses) and cognitive tests (attention and Raven). Regarding anthropometric data (body composition), no significant differences were observed between the sexes for any parameter. Conclusion: it can be deduced that the results of the cognitive factors may be associated with other variables, and not specifically with the variables that may affect anthropometric parameters. These are very interesting topics for future studies, so it is suggested to continue studying cognitive abilities with other variables. (AU)

Dysfunction of visual novelty detection in physical but not social anhedonia in a non-clinical sample

Background/objective: Despite its obvious motivational impairment, anhedonia as a transdiagnostic psychopathological construct is accompanied by deficits in attention function. Previous studies have identified voluntary attention anomalies in anhedonia, but its involuntary attention has received less study. Method: Using a visual novelty oddball task, the current event-related potential study assessed electrophysical correlates underlying mismatch detection in anhedonia with a non-clinical sample. Well-matched healthy control (N = 28; CNT), social anhedonia (N = 27; SA), and physical anhedonia (N = 26; PA) groups were presented standard, target, and perceptually novel stimuli while their EEG was recording. Results: The PA group relative to the CNT group exhibited a reduced N2 to novel stimuli but not to target stimuli. In contrast, the SA group as compared to the other two groups showed comparable N2 responses to both target and novel stimuli. Control analyses indicated that these patterns were unaffected by depression symptoms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that anhedonia is a heterogenous construct associated with impairments in early detection of visual novelty in physical but not social anhedonia, highlighting that dysfunction in involuntary attention may play a mediating role in the development, maintenance, and consequences of anhedonia-related psychopathology. (AU)

Efectos de una sesión de juegos reducidos basados en balonmano sobre la atención selectiva, sostenida y amplitud atencional en una muestra de adultos jóvenes / Efeitos de uma sessão de jogo pequeno baseado em handebol na atenção seletiva e sustentada e atenção em uma amostra de adultos jovens / Effects of a small-sided handball game on selective, sustained attention and attentional amplitude in a sample of young adults

Estudios previos han puesto de relieve los efectos crónicos y agudos que el ejercicio físico tiene sobre el funcionamiento cognitivo. Sin embargo, es necesario seguir profundizando para obtener información precisa sobre qué tipo de ejercicio es más favorable sobre determinadas capacidades cognitivas. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los efectos de una sesión de juegos reducidos basados en el balonmano sobre la atención selectiva, sostenida y amplitud atencional en una muestra de adultos jóvenes. Formaron parte de este estudio 52 participantes con edades entre 21 y 25 años (M = 21.83; DT = .94) procedentes de la ciudad de Málaga (España). Se empleó un diseño de investigación cuasiexperimental intersujetos con grupo control y experimental. Mediante análisis estadísticos no paramétricos (U Mann Whitney y Wilcoxon) se trató de explorar los efectos de la sesión de actividad físico/deportiva sobre cuatro pruebas de amplitud atencional, dos de atención selectiva y una de atención sostenida. Los resultados mostraron efectos estadísticamente significativos sobre las pruebas de atención selectiva y amplitud atencional, aunque no en la prueba de atención sostenida. Los hallazgos encontrados sugieren que la actividad físico-deportiva colectiva podría tener un efecto agudo significativo sobre la atención, aunque sería necesario seguir indagando sobre qué dimensiones específicas de la atención, dadas las diferencias encontradas entre unos parámetros y otros. (AU)

Previous studies have highlighted the chronic and acute effects that physical exercise has on cognitive functioning. However, it is necessary to go deeper in order to obtain precise information on what typeof exercise is more favorable for certain cognitive abilities. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the effects of a session of small games based on handball on selective, sustained attention and attention span in a sample of young adults. Fifty-two participants between the ages of 21 and 25 (M= 21.83; SD= .94) from the city of Malaga (Spain) took part in this study. A quasi-experimental intersubject's research design was used with a control and experimental group. Using non-parametric statistical analyzes (U Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon) we tried to explore the effects of the physical/sports activity session on four tests of attention span, two of selective attention and one of sustained attention. The results showed statistically significant effects on the selective tests and attention span, although not on the sustained attention test. The findings suggest that collective physical-sporting activity could have a significant acute effect on attention, although it would be necessary to continue investigating the specific dimensions of attention, given the differences found between some parameters and others. (AU)

Estudos anteriores destacaram os efeitos crônicos e agudos que o exercício físico tem no funcionamento cognitivo. No entanto, é necessário aprofundar este conhecimento para obter informações mais precisas sobre qual tipo de exercício mais favorável para determinadas habilidades cognitivas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os efeitos de uma sessão de pequenos jogos baseados no andebol na atenção seletiva, sustentada e capacidade de atenção numa amostra de adultos jovens. Cinquenta e dois participantes com idades compreendidas entre 21 e 25 anos (M= 21,83; DP= ,94)da cidade de Málaga (Espanha) participaram deste estudo. Um projeto de pesquisa intersujeitos quase-experimental foi usado com um grupo de controlo e experimental. Através de análises estatísticas não paramétricas (U Mann Whitney e Wilcoxon) procurámos explorar os efeitos da sessão de atividade física/desportiva em quatro testes de capacidade de atenção, dois de atenção seletiva e um de atenção sustentada. Os resultados evidenciaram diferenças estatisticamente significativos nos testes de atenção e seletivos, mas não no teste de atenção sustentada. Os resultadosencontrados sugerem que a atividade físico-desportiva coletiva pode ter um efeito agudo significativo na atenção, embora seja necessário continuar a investigar as dimensões específicas da atenção, dadas as diferenças encontradas entre alguns parâmetros. (AU)

The Effect of Attention Disengagement on Anxiety and Emotion Maintenance: A Theoretical Perspective

Cognitive processes such as attention and working memory are necessary for cognitive components of anxiety and other emotions. Moreover, the content of working memory and attention may maintain anxiety states. By extension, disengaging from mood-congruent material in attention and working memory may stop the maintenance of emotions such as anxiety. However, common existing therapeutic techniques do not fully disengage attention and other cognitive engagements from mood-congruent thoughts, mental images, and urges. This paper theorizes that fully disengaging attention, but not awareness, of mood-congruent thoughts and images eliminates or nearly eliminates feelings of anxiety. This paper connects cognitive, neuroscientific, and clinical evidence on the role of attention and working memory in anxiety and other emotions with the Cognitive Disengagement Technique, a relatively novel clinical technique which is a core component of Rumination-Focused ERP. By doing so, the hypotheses presented in this paper are highly testable. Possible mechanisms of extinction learning and emotion regulation beyond anxiety alone are discussed, both of which have important implications for clinical practice (AU)

Relationship between Learning English as a Foreign Language and the Executive Attention Profile in Spanish Schoolchildren / [Relación entre el aprendizaje del inglés como lengua extranjera y el perfil ejecutivo atencional en escolares españoles]

Executive functions are established as vital in learning, as well as in the development of psycholinguistic skills crucial to learning a second language. The present study analyzes relationships between variables linked to executive functioning and to academic achievement in English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants were 519 primary school students between the ages of 10 and 12. The results show a tendency to greater sustained and selective attention and consequently better attention control and concentration on task when academic achievement in English was higher. Our discriminant analysis verifies that sustained and selective attention, attention deficit, and concentration on task explain and predict group membership in EFL achievement groups (low, medium, and high achievement). It is important to plan activities to develop executive functioning, alongside the regular curriculum content, in order to improve learning and acquisition of psycholinguistic skills, the foundation for bilingualism or second-language learning.(AU)

Se constata la importancia de las funciones ejecutivas en el aprendizaje, así como en el desarrollo de habilidades psicolingüísticas cruciales para aprender un segundo idioma. En este estudio se analizan las relaciones entre variables vinculadas al funcionamiento ejecutiv y al rendimiento académico en lengua inglesa. Participaron 519 estudiantes de primaria de edades comprendidas entre 10 y 12 años. Los resultados evidencian la tendencia a una mayor atención sostenida y selectiva y en consecuencia un mejor control atencional y de concentración en la tarea cuando es mayor el rendimiento académico en lengua inglesa; el análisis discriminante efectuado verifica el carácter explicativo y predictivo de la atención sostenida y selectiva, el déficit atencional y la concentración en la tarea en la pertenencia de cada estudiante a los grupos (bajo, medio y alto) de rendimiento en dicha asignatura. Se constata la importancia de programar actuaciones para el desarrollo del funcionamiento ejecutivo en paralelo a las propiamente curriculares, para mejorar el aprendizaje y la adquisición de habilidades psicolingüísticas, base del bilingüismo o del aprendizaje de un segundo idioma.(AU)

La modalidad de actividad físico-deportiva practicada determina el nivel de atención dividida en adultos jóvenes / O tipo de atividade físico-esportiva praticada determina o nível de atenção dividida em adultos jovens / The type of physical-sports activity practised determis the level of divided attention among young adults

El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar las diferencias en el nivel de atención dividida en función de la modalidad de práctica físico-deportiva realizada. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 610 deportistas (66.55% género femenino), con edades entre 20 y 35 años (M ± DT = 22.53 ± 2.72). Para evaluar la atención dividida se utilizó el Test de Círculos, el cual pertenece al software Procesos Atencionales y que está alojado en la plataforma de evaluación online MenPas 1.0 (www.menpas.com). Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de relieve que la práctica de actividad físico-deportiva de tipo colectiva estuvo asociada a una mejor puntuación en el Test de Círculos, encontrándose las mayores diferencias entre las modalidades colectivas e individuales. Estos hallazgos sugieren que practicar actividades físico-deportivas de tipo colectivo, debido a las características de estos deportes, podría contribuir a un mejor desarrollo de capacidades cognitivas como la atención dividida. (AU)

This study aims to determine the differences in levels of dividided attention according to the type of physical-sports activity practised. The sample consisted of 610 athletes (66.55% females) aged between 20 and 35 years (M ± DT = 22.53 ± 2.72). Divided attention was assessed using The Circles Test of the Attentional Processes software hosted on the MenPas 1.0 online assessment platform (www.menpas.com). The result show that the practice of collective physical-sport activity was associated with a better score in the Circles Test, with the greatest differences being between collective and individual modalities. These findings suggest that due to the characteristics of these collective physical-sports, they may contribute to improve Development of cognitive abilities such as divided attention. (AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar as diferenças no nível de atenção dividido de acordo com a modalidade de prática físico-esportiva realizada. A amostra foi composta por 610 atletas (66,55% do sexo feminino), com idade entre 20 e 35 anos(M ± SD = 22,53 ± 2,72). Para avaliar a atenção dividida, foi utilizado o Teste dos Círculos, que pertence ao software Processos de Atenção e está hospedado na plataforma de avaliação online MenPas 1.0 (www.menpas.com). Os resultados obtidos destacaram que a prática de atividade físico-esportiva coletiva esteve associada a uma melhor pontuação no Teste de Círculos, sendo as maiores diferenças encontradas entre as modalidades coletiva e individual. Esses achados sugerem que a prática de atividades físico-esportivas coletivas, devido às características desses esportes, poderia contribuir para um melhor desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas como a atenção dividida. (AU)

The influence of information technology on attention and concentration in sports performance: A literature review / La influencia de las tecnologías de la información en la atención y concentración en el rendimiento deportivo: una revisión de la literatura

The basic aim of this research study is to determine the influence of information technology on attention and concentration in sports performance. This research study is based on the literature review and some portions based on the numerical analysis. For this purpose, I used SPSS software and generated informative results related to the variables. Information technology is the main independent variable, attention, and concentration. Also, sports performance are present dependent variable. The descriptive statistic, the one-way ANOVA test analysis, and the regression analysis also explain the control chart related to them. Through a variety of mental training methods, including mindfulness exercises, imagery, and focusing techniques, athletes can improve their ability to pay attention and concentrate. Athletes frequently work with coaches and sports psychologists to develop these mental abilities and enhance their sporting performance by utilizing the power of concentrated attention. The overall result found that information technology positively and significantly influences attention and concentration in sports performance.(AU)

Social Cognition Mediates the Impact of Processing Speed and SustainedAttention on Global Functioning in Schizophrenia / La Cognición Social Media el Impacto de la Velocidad de Procesamiento y la AtenciónSostenida Sobre el Funcionamiento Global en Esquizofrenia

Background: Deficits in information processing, sustained attention and social cognition have important implications for the daily functioning of people with schizophrenia. The present study analyzed the relationship between processing speed, sustained attention, social cognition, and functioning in clinically stable people with schizophrenia. Method: Ninety people with schizophrenia and 100 healthy controls completed a battery of measures to assess clinical symptoms, processing speed, sustained attention, social cognition, and functioning. GLMMs and SEM were used to assess the relationships between these variables. Results: People with schizophrenia had impaired performance in all cognitive outcomes compared to healthy controls. Processing speed and sustained attention, together in a latent variable, had a strong effect on functioning (Beta = 0.32; p < .05). However, social cognition had also a strong effect on functioning (Beta = 0.29; p <.001) in the mediation model, which exhibited better indices of fit than the model including neurocognition alone (e.g. RMSEAbasic = 0.131 and RMSEAmediator = 0.054). Conclusions: The mediating effect of social cognition on the relationship between processing speed, sustained attention, and functioning in people with schizophrenia suggests the importance of including both domains of neurocognition along with social cognition as treatment targets in rehabilitation interventions to optimize improvements in functioning in schizophrenia.(AU)

Antecedentes: Los déficits en el procesamiento de la información, la atención sostenida y la cognición social tienen implicaciones importantes para el funcionamiento diario de las personas con esquizofrenia. El presente estudio analizó la relación entre velocidad de procesamiento, atención sostenida, cognición social y funcionamiento en personas clínicamente estables con esquizofrenia. Método: Noventa personas con esquizofrenia y 100 controles sanos completaron una batería de pruebas para evaluar síntomas clínicos, velocidad de procesamiento, atención sostenida, cognición social y funcionamiento. Se utilizaron GLMM y SEM para evaluar las relaciones entre variables. Resultados: Las personas con esquizofrenia tuvieron un peor rendimiento en todos los resultados cognitivos. La velocidad de procesamiento y la atención sostenida, juntas en una variable latente, tuvieron un fuerte efecto sobre el funcionamiento (Beta = 0,32; p < 0,05). La cognición social también tuvo un fuerte efecto sobre el funcionamiento (Beta = 0,29; p < 0,001) en el modelo de mediación, que mostró mejores índices de ajuste que el modelo que incluía solo neurocognición (e.g. RMSEAbasic = 0.131 y RMSEAmediator = 0.054). Conclusiones: El efecto mediador de la cognición social sobre la relación entre la velocidad de procesamiento, la atención sostenida y el funcionamiento sugiere la importancia de incluir ambos dominios junto con la cognición social como objetivos de tratamiento en las intervenciones de rehabilitación.(AU)

Cronotaraxis como síntoma guía de un infarto talámico medial / Chronotaraxis as a harbinger of medial thalamic infarction

La cronotaraxis es una afectación de la percepción de la secuencia temporal. Esta alteración de la temporalidad se ha descrito asociada de forma característica a la afectación talámica, concretamente al núcleo dorsomediano. Casos clínicos. Presentamos los casos clínicos de dos pacientes con ictus isquémicos agudos de localización en dicho territorio, con una clínica basada en este síntoma y cuyo reconocimiento resultó esencial en el abordaje terapéutico. Tanto en el primero como en el segundo caso se describe cómo la percepción de la temporalidad fue esencial para el diagnóstico de la patología isquémica de ambos pacientes. Discusión. El conocimiento y la divulgación de esta asociación pueden resultar fundamentales en el manejo de los pacientes con alteraciones talámicas. Esto se debe a la posibilidad que surge de influir y modificar el abordaje inicial, puesto que el reconocimiento de un síntoma específico, como es la cronotaraxis, puede evitar la extensión del daño talámico, y prevenir de esta manera las secuelas, sobre todo cognitivas, que ocasiona a largo plazo.(AU)

Introduction: Chronotaraxis is an impairment of the perception of the sequencing of time. This alteration of temporality has been described as being characteristically associated with thalamic involvement, specifically in the dorsomedial nucleus. Case reports: We report the clinical cases of two patients with acute ischaemic strokes located in said territory, with a clinical presentation based on this symptom and the recognition of which was essential in the therapeutic approach. In the first and second cases, it is described how the perception of temporality was essential for the diagnosis of the ischaemic condition in both patients. Discussion: Awareness and dissemination of this association may be vital in the management of patients with thalamic disorders. This is due to the possibility of influencing and modifying the initial approach, since the recognition of a specific symptom, such as chronotaraxis, can prevent the spread of thalamic damage, in addition to the long-term sequelae that it causes, especially those of a cognitive nature.(AU)

Role of reading medium and audio distractors on visual search

Purpose: Visual search is an active perceptual task influenced by objective factors and subjective factors such as task difficulty, distractors, attention and familiarity respectively. We studied the effect of different search directions, task medium and presence or absence of audio distractors on visual search time in young normal subjectsMethodsTwenty-four young (19–27 years) subjects with normal ocular health (except refractive error) participated in the study after obtaining informed consent. Subjects performed a word search task of ten 7-letter words of medium difficulty level. It was performed by each subject in Up-down, Down-Up, Left-Right, Right-Left, Diagonal and Random directions, with equal number of distractors. The task was performed in paper and digital medium, with or without audio distractors. The conditions were performed in random order by each subject and the time taken to accurately complete the word search was documented for each condition.ResultThe visual search time (VST) was significantly different with different search directions (ANOVA p<0.0001, df=5), considering both digital and non-digital medium, with or without audio distractors. The average VST was the least for left-right search direction (100±7.2 s) and was highest for random search direction (291±19 s), on a digital medium (VSTdigital: 183±77 s) and in presence of an audio distractor (VSTaudio: 184±77 s). The VST scores were not correlated with the age (r=-0.14, p = 0.25).ConclusionThe visual search time is significantly delayed for search direction other than left-right direction and in presence of an audio distractor on a digital medium. These factors could play a significant role in visual orientation and specific tasks such as reading. (AU)

Efectos del consumo de cannabis en la atención y la memoria en población adolescente: una revisión sistemática / Effects of cannabis use on attention and memory in adolescent population: a systematic review

FUNDAMENTOS: El cannabis es una droga ilegal cuyo consumo se ha visto incrementado en los últimos años, especialmente en población adolescente. A pesar de su popularidad, su uso y abuso trae consigo consecuencias para la salud, siendo mayores si el consumo se produce en la etapa adolescente, ya que el cerebro se encuentra en pleno desarrollo. El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue determinar los efectos del consumo de cannabis en las funciones cognitivas de atención y memoria en población adolescente. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura en los principales portales de búsqueda (Pubmed, Web of Science, SciELO, Cochrane) referida a los últimos diez años, siguiendo los criterios PRISMA. La estrategia de búsqueda sistemática se realizó en el periodo de tiempo comprendido entre los meses de marzo a mayo de 2021, aplicándose el método PICO y la escala PEDro para garantizar la calidad metodológica de los estudios incluidos. RESULTADOS: Tanto la atención como la memoria se ven afectadas por el consumo de cannabis; sin embargo, la memoria mejora su funcionamiento con la abstinencia, no ocurriendo lo mismo con la atención. Los déficits de memoria son un indicador de abandono terapéutico del tratamiento para la adicción. En relación con las intervenciones psicosociales orientadas a la mejora de la memoria, tanto el manejo de contingencias como las intervenciones educativas y la entrevista motivacional no se han mostrado efectivas sobre los efectos de las sustancias. El entrenamiento en la memoria de trabajo ofrece resultados positivos, aunque clínicamente no significativos.(AU)

BACKGROUND: Cannabis is an illegal drug whose use has increased in recent years, especially among adolescents. Despite its popularity, its use and abuse brings with it health consequences, being greater if consumption occurs in the adolescent stage, since the brain is in full development. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of cannabis use on cognitive functions of attention and memory in adolescent population. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in the main search portals (Pubmed, Web of Science, SciELO, Cochrane) referring to the last 10 years, following the PRISMA criteria. The systematic search strategy was carried out in the period from March to May 2021, applying the PICO method and the PEDro scale to guarantee the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Both attention and memory are affected by cannabis use; however, memory functions improve with abstinence, not being so for attention. Memory deficits are an indicator of therapeutic abandonment of addiction treatment. In relation to psychosocial interventions aimed at improving memory, the contingency management, educational interventions and motivational interviewing have not been shown to be effective on the effects of substances. Working memory training offers positive results, although not clinically significant. Finally, memory deficits are an indicator of therapeutic abandonment of pharmacological treatment for cannabis addiction. Therefore, research is needed aimed both at reducing the side effects of drugs on memory processes and at establishing to what extent memory deficits associated with cannabis use can facilitate therapeutic abandonment. CONCLUSIONS: More research is necessary, considering the dual consumption of cannabis-tobacco and the effects that both substances may have jointly and separately on attention and memory processes.(AU)

The effects of breakfast consumption on concentrated and distributed attention levels: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian school children of the public school system / Los efectos del consumo del desayuno en los niveles de atención concentrados y distribuidos: un estudio transversal con escolares brasileños del sistema escolar público / Os efeitos do consumo do café da manhã nos níveis de atenção concentrada e distributiva: um estudo transversal comescolares brasileiros da rede pública de ensino

Attention is a very important aspect for school and physic performance and, regular breakfast consumption has been associated with better student performance. In addition, adequate glycemia levels are related to better quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of breakfast consumption andglycemia levels on concentrated and distributed attention levels of high school students. This is a quantitative and cross-sectional research. The sample was composed by 54 students with average ages of 16±0.89, regularly enrolled in high school at an institution of the public school system. For this research we used the following data collection instruments: I) food records; II) capillary blood glucose testing with electronic device; III) Toulouse-Piéron's concentrated attention test, and; IV) Grid-type test. The data was collected on visits to the research site from 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The sample was divided into fed group (who had breakfast) and fasting group (who had no breakfast). The fed group showed statistically better results for glycemia levels (87.25±14.76 mg/dl), concentrated attention (116.21±36.49 points), and distributed attention (20.89±4.08 points). Mild correlations between the glycemia and attention levels were found. The results suggest a positive association between breakfast consumption and glycemia levels adequate to health with concentrated and distributed attention levels. (AU)

La atención es un aspecto muy importante para el desempeño escolary,el consumo regular de desayuno se ha asociado con un mejor desempeño de los estudiantes. Además, los niveles adecuados de glucemia están relacionados con una mejor calidad de vida. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este estudio es analizar los efectos del consumo de desayuno y los niveles de glucemia en los niveles de atención concentrada y distribuida de los estudiantes de secundaria. Se trata de una investigación cuantitativa y transversal. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 54 estudiantes con edad promedio de 16 ± 0.89, matriculadosregularmente en la escuela secundaria en una institución del sistema escolar público. Para esta investigación utilizamos los siguientes instrumentos de recolección de datos: I) registros de alimentos; II) prueba de glucosa en sangre capilar con dispositivo electrónico; III) Prueba de atención concentrada de Toulouse-Piéron, y; IV) Ensayo tipo cuadrícula. Los datos se recolectaron en visitas al sitio de investigación de 8:00 a.m. a 9:00 a.m. La muestra se dividió en grupo alimentado (que desayunó) y grupo en ayunas (que no desayunó). El grupo alimentado mostró estadísticamente mejores resultados para los niveles de glucemia (87,25 ± 14,76 mg / dl), atención concentrada (116,21 ± 36,49 puntos) y atención distribuida (20,89 ± 4,08 puntos). Se encontraron levescorrelaciones entre la glucemia y los niveles de atención. Los resultados sugieren una asociación positiva entre el consumo de desayuno y los niveles de glucemia adecuados a la salud con los niveles de atención concentrada y distribuida. (AU)

A atenção é um aspecto bastante relevante para o rendimento físico e escolar, do mesmo modo, o consumo regular do café da manhã tem sido associado ao melhor desempenho de estudantes. Em complemento, índices adequados de glicemia estão relacionados a melhor qualidade de vida. Portanto, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar o impacto do consumo do café da manhã e dos índices de glicemia nos níveis de atenção concentrada e distributiva de escolares do ensino médio. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como quantitativa e transversal. A amostra foi composta por 54 escolares com idade média de 16±0,89, regularmente matriculados no ensino médio de uma instituição da rede pública de ensino. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de coleta de dados: I) recordatório alimentar; II) teste de glicemia capilar por dispositivo eletrônico; III) teste de atenção concentrada de Toulouse-Piéron e; IV) teste do tipo Grelha. Os dados foram coletados em visitas ao local de pesquisaentre às 08h00min e 09h00min. A amostra foi dicotomizada em grupo alimentado (que consumiu café da manhã) e grupo jejum (sem consumo de café da manhã). O grupo alimentado apresentou resultados estatisticamente melhores de índice de glicemia (87,25±14,76 mg/dl), atenção concentrada (116,21±36,49 pontos) e atenção distributiva (20,89±4,08 pontos). Foram identificadas correlações leves entre o índice de glicemia e os níveis de atenção. Os resultados sugerem uma associação positiva entre o consumo do café da manhã e índices de glicemia adequados à saúde com os níveis de atenção concentrada e distributiva. (AU)

Modelo contextual de aspectos cognitivos (I) / Contextual model of cognitive aspects (I)

Todo ser vivo, dadas las condiciones que ha de satisfacer para su supervivencia, manifiesta un conjunto de diferentes herramientas cognitivas. Tanto para la comprensión y actuación sobre su entorno externo y su medio interno, como para predecir al menos a corto plazo, cómo estas condiciones pueden afectarlo positiva o negativamente.Estas herramientas han ido especializándose a lo largo del tiempo, pero siguen compartiendo características comunes. Esto nos induce a pensar en la existencia de algún tipo de modelo cognitivo universal, un modelo que podemos observar tanto en la más simple de las bacterias como en el más grande de los cetáceos.Bajo esta perspectiva propongo la estructura y funcionamiento de este modelo cognitivo general, que puede ofrecer una visión alternativa al fenómeno de la cognición y a cómo su forma consciente puede, finalmente, emanar de forma natural a partir de la evolución hacia ámbitos cada vez más abstractos. (AU)

Efectividad de la Realidad Virtual (RV) en la disminución del distrés de niños y adolescentes con cáncer: Revisión sistemática / Effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) in reducing distress in children and adolescents with cancer: A systematic review

Introducción: Aunque se han publicado muchos estudios que han intentado demostrar la eficacia de diferentes tratamientos psicológicos en pacientes con cáncer; hasta la fecha no se ha revisado la evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia de la Realidad Virtual (RV) para disminuir el distrés en niños y adolescentes con cáncer. Objetivo:El objetivo principal es evaluar la efectividad de la intervención con Realidad virtual en la disminución del distrés que padecen los niños y adolescentes con cáncer ante los procedimientos médicos, la hospitalización, o la propia enfermedad. Resultados:De los 22 artículos encontrados, se han seleccionado para la revisión un total de 8, que seguían un diseño experimental o cuasiexperimental en pacientes niños y jóvenes diagnosticados de cáncer tratados con RV. Conclusiones: Los resultados, aunque heterogéneos, sugieren mejorías a medio–largo plazo en las variables de ansiedad, depresión, aceptación, calidad de vida, distrés y flexibilidad psicológica. Además, la RV ha resultado ser más eficaz que otras técnicas. De este modo, a pesar de las limitaciones encontradas en este estudio, se han obtenido resultados prometedores para futuras revisiones y/ o metaanálisis (AU)

Introduction: Although many studies have been published that have attempted to demonstrate the efficacy of different psychological treatments in cancer patients, to date there has been no review of the available evidence on the efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) in reducing distress in children and adolescents with cancer. Objective: The main aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality intervention in reducing the distress suffered by children and adolescents with cancer in the face of medical procedures, hospitalization, or the disease itself. Results: Of the 22 articles found, a total of 8 were selected for the review, which followed an experimental or quasi-experimental design in children and young people diagnosed with cancer treated with VR. Conclusions: The results, although heterogeneous, suggest medium to long-term improvements in the variables of anxiety, depression, acceptance, quality of life, distress, and psychological flexibility. Moreover, VR has proved to be more effective than other techniques. Thus, despite the limitations found in this study, promising results have been obtained for future reviews and/or meta-analysis (AU)

Contribution of Attentional Networks to Basic Arithmetic Achievement in School-age Children / Contribución de las redes atencionales al rendimiento en aritmética básica en niños de edad escolar

Nowadays, there is still debate about the origin of arithmetic disabilities. Two predominant hypotheses have been developed in this regard: 1) difficulties in arithmetic appear due to a deficit in domain-specific skills (numerical skills) and 2) there is a strong relationship between the development of the domain-general processes and arithmetical skills. In this study we explore the specific contribution of orienting and executive control attentional networks to individual variability in basic mental arithmetic. Participants were elementary school children, from second to third grade, with and without difficulties in basic mental arithmetic. Results provide support for the two proposed hypotheses. Children with difficulties in arithmetic showed difficulties both in numerical skills and in attentional networks. These findings suggest that arithmetic difficulties may be associated with a heterogeneous combination of deficits, including difficulties in attentional functioning.

En la actualidad existe aún debate sobre el origen de las dificultades en aritmética. Se han desarrollado dos hipótesis predominantes al respecto: 1) las dificultades en aritmética aparecen por un déficit en las capacidades de dominio específico (capacidades numéricas) y 2) hay una estrecha relación entre el desarrollo de los procesos de dominio general y las habilidades aritméticas. En este estudio se explora la contribución específica de las redes de atención ejecutiva y orientación atencional a la explicación de la varianza en aritmética básica. Participaron niños de segundo y tercer grado de primaria, con y sin dificultades en aritmética básica. Nuestros resultados ofrecen sustento a las dos hipótesis propuestas, ya que los niños con dificultades en aritmética mostraron dificultades tanto en las capacidades numéricas como en las redes atencionales. Estos hallazgos sugieren que las dificultades en aritmética pudieran estar asociadas a una combinación heterogénea de déficits, incluyendo dificultades en el funcionamiento atencional.

Working Memory, Attention, and Inhibitory Control in Adolescents with Suicidal Behavior: A Pilot Study / La memoria de trabajo, la atención y el control inhibitorio en los adolescentes con conducta suicida: un estudio piloto

Suicide in people between the ages of 15 and 24 is one of the top three causes of death. The aim of this research is to compare and associate performance in working memory, attention, and inhibitory control with the presence of suicidal behavior in adolescents. Research design was cross-sectional and the convenience sample consisted of 65 adolescents from the city of Temuco, Chile. The instruments used for data collection were: 1) the Okasha Suicidality Scale, 2) span of direct and indirect digits, and 3) the Stroop test. The results show that 49.3% of the adolescents had suicidal ideation. In terms of the groups, an association and significant differences were found in the Stroop test; this occurred specifically in the female sex (p < .05). In the rest of the tasks that measured memory and attention, no differences were observed (p > .05). It is concluded that suicidal behavior is associated with a lower performance in inhibitory control tasks for females. (AU)

El suicidio en personas entre 15 y 24 años es una de las tres primeras causas de muerte. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido determinar la asociación de la memoria de trabajo, la atención y el control inhibitorio con la presencia de conducta suicida en adolescentes. Se ha utilizado un diseño de investigación transversal y una muestra por conveniencia compuesta por 65 adolescentes de la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. En la recolección de datos se utilizaron :1) la Escala de Suicidalidad Okasha, 2) la amplitud de dígitos directos e indirectos y 3) el test de Stroop. En el 49.3% de los adolescentes se presentó ideación suicida, encontrando diferencias significativas en el test de Stroop, esto ocurre específicamente en el sexo femenino (p < .05). Se concluye que la conducta suicida está asociada a un desempeño más bajo en tareas de control inhibitorio para el sexo femenino. (AU)

Executive Functions and Improvement of Thinking: An Intervention Program to Enhance Deductive Reasoning Abilities

Empirical and theoretical advances and application to society are moved at different speed. Application work is frequently developed later because it requires the integration of knowledge from different research areas. In the present paper, we integrate literature coming from diverse areas of research in order to design a deductive reasoning intervention, based on the involved executive functions. Executive functions include working memory (WM)’s online executive processes and other off-line functions such as task revising and planning. Deductive reasoning is a sequential thinking process driven by reasoners’ meta-deductive knowledge and goals that requires the construction and manipulation of representations. We present a new theoretical view about the relationship between executive function and higher-level thinking, a critical analysis of the possibilities and limitations of cognitive training, and a metacognitive training procedure on executive functions to improve deductive reasoning. This procedure integrates direct instruction on deduction and meta-deductive concepts (consistency, necessity) and strategies (search for counterexamples and exhaustivity), together with the simultaneous training of WM and executive functions involved: Focus and switch attention, update WM representations, inhibit and revise intuitive responses, and control the emotional stress yielded by tasks. Likewise, it includes direct training of some complex WM tasks that demands people to carry out similar cognitive assignment than deduction. Our training program would be included in the school curriculum and attempts not only to improve deductive reasoning in experimental tasks, but also to increase students’ ability to uncover fallacies in discourse, to automatize some basic logical skills, and to be able to use logical intuitions. (AU)

Síndrome de la sobrecarga informativa: una revisión bibliográfica / Information overload syndrome: a bibliographic review

Introducción: Vivimos la época de mayor difusión de información en la historia de la humanidad, y este exceso de información ha dado como consecuencia considerar la atención humana como un bien escaso. La sobrecarga informativa es la situación en la cual la cantidad o la intensidad de información exceden la capacidad limitada de procesamiento cognitivo del individuo. Objetivo: Describir el concepto de sobrecarga informativa, sus posibles sustratos neurocognitivos, síntomas asociados, causas, medidas para evitarla, así como su posible relación con internet y los dispositivos electrónicos. Desarrollo: Las personas responden de forma diferente a la sobrecarga informativa, y esto depende tanto de factores individuales como de la cantidad y características de la estimulación informativa. Algunos síntomas de la sobrecarga informativa son: trabajo ineficiente, confusión, retraso al tomar decisiones, falta de evaluación crítica de la información, pérdida de control sobre la información, rechazo de la recepción en la comunicación, falta de perspectiva general, mayor tolerancia al error, ansiedad, estrés, etc. Probablemente, los límites de la capacidad de procesamiento de información estén condicionados por la energía metabólica limitada que se distribuye en el cerebro y que permanece constante independientemente de la dificultad de las tareas. Conclusión: La atención es una función cognitiva limitada. Para que los efectos adversos de la sobrecarga informativa puedan disminuirse, se requiere mejorar la gestión personal de nuestros propios recursos cognitivos y comprender su relación con la tecnología. Es necesario mejorar el manejo de información mediante la organización, el filtrado y la aplicación de pautas de diseño de ergonomía cognitiva.(AU)

Introduction: We are living in the time of greatest dissemination of information in the history of the human race, and this excess of information has resulted in considering human attention as a scarce resource. Information overload is the situation in which the amount or intensity of information exceeds the individual’s limited capacity for cognitive processing. Objective: To describe the concept of information overload, its possible neurocognitive substrates, associated symptoms, causes, measures to avoid it, as well as its possible relationship with the internet and electronic devices. Development: People respond differently to information overload, and this depends on individual factors as well as on the amount and characteristics of the informative stimulation. Some symptoms of information overload are: inefficient work, confusion, delay in making decisions, lack of critical evaluation of information, loss of control over information, refusal to receive communication, lack of general perspective, greater tolerance for error, anxiety, stress, etc. The limits of information processing capacity are probably conditioned by the limited metabolic energy that is distributed in the brain and remains constant regardless of the difficulty of the tasks. Conclusion: Attention is a limited cognitive function. In order to reduce the adverse effects of information overload, it is necessary to improve the personal management of our own cognitive resources and to understand their relationship with technology. Likewise, it is necessary to improve the handling of information through the organization, filtering and application of cognitive ergonomics design guidelines.(AU)