Quantifying body size estimation accuracy and body dissatisfaction in body dysmorphic disorder using a digital avatar.

BACKGROUND: A core feature of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is body image disturbance. Many with BDD misperceive and are dissatisfied with the sizes and shapes of body parts, but detailed quantification and analysis of this has not yet been performed. To address this gap, we applied Somatomap 3D, a digital avatar tool, to quantify body image disturbances by assessing body size estimation (BSE) accuracy and body dissatisfaction. METHODS: Sixty-one adults (31 with BDD, 30 healthy controls) created avatars to reflect their perceived current body and ideal body by altering 23 body part sizes and lengths using Somatomap 3D. Physical measurements of corresponding body parts were recorded for comparison. BSE accuracy (current minus actual) and body dissatisfaction (ideal minus current) were compared between groups and in relation to BDD symptom severity using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Individuals with BDD significantly over- and under-estimated certain body parts compared to healthy controls. Individuals with BDD overall desired significantly thinner body parts compared to healthy controls. Moreover, those with worse BSE accuracy had greater body dissatisfaction and poorer insight. CONCLUSION: In sum, this digital avatar tool revealed disturbances in body image in individuals with BDD that may have perceptual and cognitive/affective components.

Monitoring lower limb biomechanical asymmetry and psychological measures in athletic populations-A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb biomechanics, including asymmetry, are frequently monitored to determine sport performance level and injury risk. However, contributing factors extend beyond biomechanical and asymmetry measures to include psychological, sociological, and environmental factors. Unfortunately, inadequate research has been conducted using holistic biopsychosocial models to characterize sport performance and injury risk. Therefore, this scoping review summarized the research landscape of studies concurrently assessing measures of lower limb biomechanics, asymmetry, and introspective psychological state (e.g., pain, fatigue, perceived exertion, stress, etc.) in healthy, competitive athletes. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science Core Collections was designed and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Fifty-one articles were included in this review. RESULTS: Significant relationships between biomechanics (k = 22 studies) or asymmetry (k = 20 studies) and introspective state were found. Increased self-reported pain was associated with decreased range of motion, strength, and increased lower limb asymmetry. Higher ratings of perceived exertion were related to increased lower limb asymmetry, self-reported muscle soreness, and worse jump performance. Few studies (k = 4) monitored athletes longitudinally throughout one or more competitive season(s). CONCLUSION: This review highlights the need for concurrent analysis of introspective, psychological state, and biomechanical asymmetry measures along with longitudinal research to understand the contributing factors to sport performance and injury risk from biopsychosocial modeling. In doing so, this framework of biopsychosocial preventive and prognostic patient-centered practices may provide an actionable means of optimizing health, well-being, and sport performance in competitive athletes.

The differing relationships between academic discipline, sleep hygiene, and dysfunctional sleep attitudes on sleep quality and duration in Canadian university students.

Objectives: This study sought to understand how university student's academic discipline relates to sleep factors including attitudes, hygiene, quality, and duration. Methods: Using a cross-sectional approach, a 30-min survey was advertised to students at two Canadian universities in March of 2022. Sleep measures included the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes Scale, the Sleep Hygiene Index, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Academic discipline was categorized into four groups: Health, Arts, Sciences, and Engineering. Multiple linear regressions were used to investigate (1) the effect of academic discipline on sleep measures, and (2) the effect of academic discipline, dysfunctional sleep attitudes, and sleep hygiene practices on insomnia, sleep quality and duration. Results: 1,566 students completed the survey (69.4% women; 80.3% undergraduates). Compared to Health students, Art students had worse dysfunctional sleep attitudes, hygiene, quality, and insomnia severity (p < 0.001). This relationship disappeared after controlling for differences in mental health (p ≥ 0.05). Art students had longer sleep durations (p < 0.01), whereas Engineering students had shorter sleep durations (p < 0.05). When dysfunctional sleep attitudes and hygiene were included in the model, both academic discipline (p < 0.05) and sleep hygiene (p < 0.001) were associated with sleep duration. Sleep hygiene and attitudes were also associated with sleep quality and insomnia severity (p < 0.001), while academic discipline was not (p ≥ 0.05). Discussion: These results suggest differences in sleep quality across academic discipline are impacted by dysfunctional sleep attitudes, sleep hygiene, and mental health, whereas differences in sleep duration appear to be independent of these factors. Overall, students in different academic disciplines have unique relationships with sleep and thus may require targeted approaches to improve their sleep. Future interventions should focus on supporting sleep hygiene and attitudes to improve students' sleep and well-being.

Mental Health in Adults With ADHD: Examining the Relationship With Cardiorespiratory Fitness.

OBJECTIVE: The mental health of adults with ADHD was compared to neurotypical controls, and associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and mental health were examined. METHOD: Seventy-two participants (n = 36 with ADHD) completed demographic questions assessing ADHD and mental health symptoms. CRF was estimated using the 6-Minute Walk Test and a self-perception question. RESULTS: Those with ADHD had significantly poorer mental health outcomes than controls (p < .001), with 50% of adults with ADHD reporting severe to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Critically, lower CRF was associated with worse depression, anxiety, and stress (all p ≤ .03) across both groups. Within the ADHD group, those with higher estimated CRF had significantly lower stress. Among participants with less severe ADHD symptoms, those with higher perceived CRF had significantly lower depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: In our cross-sectional study, participants with ADHD had poorer mental health than neurotypical controls, and higher fitness was associated with better mental health.

Correction: Ogrodnik et al. Exploring the Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Executive Functioning in Adults with ADHD. Brain Sci. 2023, 13, 673.

During the final proofreading step of this paper [...].

Exploring the Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Executive Functioning in Adults with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: Associations between measures of executive functioning (EF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were examined for adults with and without ADHD. METHOD: Measures of executive functioning including the Stroop task, Wisconsin Card Sorting task, and Operation Span Task were completed virtually (n = 36 ADHD; n = 36 Control). Participants completed the Six-Minute Walk Test to estimate CRF. RESULTS: Mean performance measures of executive function did not differ by group. However, higher estimated CRF was associated with better Stroop task performance, and the association was strongest for individuals with ADHD. CONCLUSION: In adults with ADHD, higher estimated CRF was associated with better inhibitory control, but not with other measures of executive functioning.

Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity in Adults with ADHD: A Qualitative Investigation.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by executive dysfunction. Physical activity (PA) may improve executive dysfunction; however, specific barriers and facilitators to PA participation for adults with ADHD have not been formally documented, which was the aim of the present study. Thirty adults with ADHD completed virtual semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed thematically and guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework. Expressions of both barriers and facilitators to PA were identified. Themes such as executive dysfunction (described as forgetfulness, difficulty with sustained focus, and time management), poor self-esteem, and lack of motivation were seen as barriers to PA. Key facilitators were tied to the benefits of being physically active including improvements in executive functioning, mood, and mental health during and after activity, as well as the enjoyment of being active with others. To better support adults with ADHD in initiating physical activity, it is crucial to develop unique resources that are tailored to their specific needs. These resources should be designed to minimize barriers and maximize facilitators, while also supporting the awareness and acceptance of neurodiverse experiences.