Psychosomatic states and their correlation with letting-go: two newly evaluated core factors for investigating the therapeutic effect of spa treatment.

Spa therapy (aka crenobalneotherapy) has been the object of criticism due to insufficient evidence of its effectiveness. While further effectiveness studies are needed, others are also required to better evaluate the curative factors involved during spa therapy that may contribute to the effectiveness. The current study used specific scales to investigate two possible curative factors: the psychosomatic state and the letting-go of patients with mental disorders after 3 weeks of spa therapy. The Saujon Psychosomatic Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Quantified Assessment of Fluidity of Consciousness Questionnaire (QACF) evaluate psychosomatic state and letting-go, respectively. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms, respectively. Sixty-five subjects (57 women (87.69%); 8 men), with a mean age of 56.9 (± 9.7) years, were included. SPQ and QAFC scores improved significantly before and after the 3 weeks of spa therapy. Improvement in HAD and ISI scores was significantly correlated with SPQ and QACF scores. These preliminary results suggest that the induced psychosomatic state and the letting-go induced by spa treatment with bubbling baths, jet showers, pool bathing and massage could help patients to become more available and more able to change their psychophysiological state.

Popular and Scientific Discourse on Autism: Representational Cross-Cultural Analysis of Epistemic Communities to Inform Policy and Practice.

BACKGROUND: Social media provide a window onto the circulation of ideas in everyday folk psychiatry, revealing the themes and issues discussed both by the public and by various scientific communities. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the trends in health information about autism spectrum disorder within popular and scientific communities through the systematic semantic exploration of big data gathered from Twitter and PubMed. METHODS: First, we performed a natural language processing by text-mining analysis and with unsupervised (machine learning) topic modeling on a sample of the last 10,000 tweets in English posted with the term #autism (January 2021). We built a network of words to visualize the main dimensions representing these data. Second, we performed precisely the same analysis with all the articles using the term "autism" in PubMed without time restriction. Lastly, we compared the results of the 2 databases. RESULTS: We retrieved 121,556 terms related to autism in 10,000 tweets and 5.7x109 terms in 57,121 biomedical scientific articles. The 4 main dimensions extracted from Twitter were as follows: integration and social support, understanding and mental health, child welfare, and daily challenges and difficulties. The 4 main dimensions extracted from PubMed were as follows: diagnostic and skills, research challenges, clinical and therapeutical challenges, and neuropsychology and behavior. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first systematic and rigorous comparison between 2 corpora of interests, in terms of lay representations and scientific research, regarding the significant increase in information available on autism spectrum disorder and of the difficulty to connect fragments of knowledge from the general population. The results suggest a clear distinction between the focus of topics used in the social media and that of scientific communities. This distinction highlights the importance of knowledge mobilization and exchange to better align research priorities with personal concerns and to address dimensions of well-being, adaptation, and resilience. Health care professionals and researchers can use these dimensions as a framework in their consultations to engage in discussions on issues that matter to beneficiaries and develop clinical approaches and research policies in line with these interests. Finally, our study can inform policy makers on the health and social needs and concerns of individuals with autism and their caregivers, especially to define health indicators based on important issues for beneficiaries.

Sleep deprivation therapy to reset the circadian pacemaker in a non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder: a case report.

NONE: Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder is 1 of several chronic circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. It is defined as progressive daily shifts in sleep onset and wake times. It mainly affects patients who are sight-impaired, is relatively rare in sighted patients, and is difficult to treat, with no guidelines. This case report discusses non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder in a sighted young man who complained of alternating severe insomnia and excessive sleepiness, with a sleep agenda and actigraphic data showing a daily delay of approximately 2 hours. A novel therapy by total sleep deprivation followed by a combination of morning light therapy and nocturnal melatonin administration was efficient in stopping his free-running sleep-wake pattern both immediately and in the long term. The treatment combination for 6 months resulted in stable circadian entrainment to a 24-hour cycle. Compliance with chronotherapy was maintained over the course of follow-up.

Consensus on the reporting and experimental design of clinical and cognitive-behavioural neurofeedback studies (CRED-nf checklist).

Neurofeedback has begun to attract the attention and scrutiny of the scientific and medical mainstream. Here, neurofeedback researchers present a consensus-derived checklist that aims to improve the reporting and experimental design standards in the field.

Towards a Pragmatic Approach to a Psychophysiological Unit of Analysis for Mental and Brain Disorders: An EEG-Copeia for Neurofeedback.

This article proposes what we call an "EEG-Copeia" for neurofeedback, like the "Pharmacopeia" for psychopharmacology. This paper proposes to define an "EEG-Copeia" as an organized list of scientifically validated EEG markers, characterized by a specific association with an identified cognitive process, that define a psychophysiological unit of analysis useful for mental or brain disorder evaluation and treatment. A characteristic of EEG neurofeedback for mental and brain disorders is that it targets a EEG markers related to a supposed cognitive process, whereas conventional treatments target clinical manifestations. This could explain why EEG neurofeedback studies encounter difficulty in achieving reproducibility and validation. The present paper suggests that a first step to optimize EEG neurofeedback protocols and future research is to target a valid EEG marker. The specificity of the cognitive skills trained and learned during real time feedback of the EEG marker could be enhanced and both the reliability of neurofeedback training and the therapeutic impact optimized. However, several of the most well-known EEG markers have seldom been applied for neurofeedback. Moreover, we lack a reliable and valid EEG targets library for further RCT to evaluate the efficacy of neurofeedback in mental and brain disorders. With the present manuscript, our aim is to foster dialogues between cognitive neuroscience and EEG neurofeedback according to a psychophysiological perspective. The primary objective of this review was to identify the most robust EEG target. EEG markers linked with one or several clearly identified cognitive-related processes will be identified. The secondary objective was to organize these EEG markers and related cognitive process in a psychophysiological unit of analysis matrix inspired by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project.

Development of a standardized evaluation of endobuccal adverse events induced by repeated tongue protrusion with both a dedicated questionnaire and an endobuccal examination.

INTRODUCTION: A new approach to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is upper airway stimulation therapy (UAS). Electrical pulses applied to the hypoglossal nerve induce tongue protrusion, increase airway patency and decrease the frequency of apneic and hypopneic events. Thus, the main objective of this study was to design a standardized evaluation of endobuccal adverse events induced by repeated tongue protrusion with both a dedicated questionnaire and an endobuccal examination. METHOD: This study has designed the Tongue Adverse Event and Satisfaction Questionnaire (TAESQ) and an endobuccal examinations divided into an endobuccal lesion examination (ELE) and an endobuccal risk factor examination (ERFE). Evaluations were conducted at month 6 post-implantation. RESULTS: The study population after implantation of UAS device consisted of ten Caucasian males with a mean age of 51.9 ± 11.8 years, and a mean BMI of 28.6 ± 3.3. The AHI of the ten participants ranged from 46.7 ± 12.2/h at baseline to 14.5 ± 8.9/h with the Inspire therapy at the 6-month follow-up. The TAESQ revealed pain (30%), followed by less tongue sensitivity (20%) and tongue weakness (10%). The ELE did not reveal any lesions. The ERFE revealed that some participants had tissue and dental risk factors but not associated to more adverse events. CONCLUSION: The TAESQ, ELE and ERFE have been designed and studied on a small number of participants. These evaluations could systematically be included in the care pathway of patients treated by UAS to better investigate tongue discomfort and tongue lesion for patients treated with this technology.

Using EEG-based brain computer interface and neurofeedback targeting sensorimotor rhythms to improve motor skills: Theoretical background, applications and prospects.

Many Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and neurofeedback studies have investigated the impact of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) self-regulation training procedures on motor skills enhancement in healthy subjects and patients with motor disabilities. This critical review aims first to introduce the different definitions of SMR EEG target in BCI/Neurofeedback studies and to summarize the background from neurophysiological and neuroplasticity studies that led to SMR being considered as reliable and valid EEG targets to improve motor skills through BCI/neurofeedback procedures. The second objective of this review is to introduce the main findings regarding SMR BCI/neurofeedback in healthy subjects. Third, the main findings regarding BCI/neurofeedback efficiency in patients with hypokinetic activities (in particular, motor deficit following stroke) as well as in patients with hyperkinetic activities (in particular, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD) will be introduced. Due to a range of limitations, a clear association between SMR BCI/neurofeedback training and enhanced motor skills has yet to be established. However, SMR BCI/neurofeedback appears promising, and highlights many important challenges for clinical neurophysiology with regards to therapeutic approaches using BCI/neurofeedback.

Sensory Gating Capacity and Attentional Function in Adults With ADHD: A Preliminary Neurophysiological and Neuropsychological Study.

Objective: The inability to filter sensory input correctly may impair higher cognitive function in ADHD. However, this relationship remains largely elusive. The objectives of the present study is to investigate the relationship between sensory input processing and cognitive function in adult patients with ADHD. Method: This study investigated the relationship between deficit in sensory gating capacity (P50 amplitude changes in a double-click conditioning-testing paradigm and perceptual abnormalities related to sensory gating deficit with the Sensory Gating Inventory [SGI]) and attentional and executive function (P300 amplitude in an oddball paradigm and attentional and executive performances with a neuropsychological test) in 24 adult patients with ADHD. Results: The lower the sensory gating capacity of the brain and the higher the distractibility related to sensory gating inability that the patients reported, the lower the P300 amplitude. Conclusion: The capacity of the brain to gate the response to irrelevant incoming sensory input may be a fundamental protective mechanism that prevents the flooding of higher brain structures with irrelevant information in adult patients with ADHD.

A framework for disentangling the hyperbolic truth of neurofeedback: Comment on Thibault and Raz (2017).

In this comment, we propose a theoretical framework for disentangling the potentially multiple elements driving the effects of electroencephalogram (EEG)-neurofeedback (EEG-nf) to clarify the roadmap for research in the field. Three questions are identified: (a) Do EEG-nf effects originate from a placebo effect related to the technological environment of a neurofeedback session? (b) Do EEG-nf effects originate from a nonspecific effect of cognitive brain training during neurofeedback? If so, a cognitive training would be underpinned by the brain activity regulation loop but this training would not be specifically related to the neurophysiological biomarker chosen. (c) Do EEG-nf effects originate from a specific effect of cognitive brain training? If so, the effects of EEG-nf would be explained by the training of the specific neurophysiological biomarker chosen, depending on the pathophysiological mechanism(s) of the disorder. The proposed framework might thus allow to understand to what degree each of these level contribute to the effects of EEG-nf on the brain and behavior in view of the psychosocial variables involved. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation on sleep and level of alertness in OSA: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS), a novel therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, on objective level of alertness (measured with Maintenance of Wakefulness Test [MWT] values) and nocturnal sleep architecture. METHODS: Ten male patients (mean age 52.0 ± 9.4 years; mean body mass index 28.8 ± 3.3 kg/m2) noncompliant to continuous positive airway pressure received HNS (Inspire therapy) and were prospectively evaluated at baseline and 6 months after HNS therapy. Polysomnographic parameters (sleep breathing and sleep architecture) and objective level of alertness (MWT) were measured. RESULTS: The mean preimplantation apnea-hypopnea index of 46.7/h ± 12.2/h was reduced to 14.5/h ± 8.9/h at 6 months postimplantation (p < 0.001). The mean MWT latency improved from 25.0 ± 12.8 minutes at baseline to 36.8 ± 7.0 minutes after 6 months of treatment (p = 0.004). A reduction of N1% (11.8 ± 10.6 vs 4.2 ± 1.9, p = 0.04) was observed. The reduction in the duration of wake after sleep onset (WASO) was 71.4 ± 32.4 minutes vs 53.4 ± 13.5 minutes (p = 0.06) but was not significant. MWT latencies at 6 months were negatively correlated with the intensity of stimulation (r = -0.63, p = 0.05). Intensity of stimulation was positively correlated with WASO (r = 0.76, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: HNS improved the objective level of alertness and changed nocturnal sleep architecture. The level of neural stimulation determines the amount of nocturnal WASO and the level of objective level of alertness.

Using Recent BCI Literature to Deepen our Understanding of Clinical Neurofeedback: A Short Review.

In their recent paper, Alkoby et al. (2017) provide the readership with an extensive and very insightful review of the factors influencing NeuroFeedback (NF) performance. These factors are drawn from both the NF literature and the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) literature. Our short review aims to complement Alkoby et al.'s review by reporting recent additions to the BCI literature. The object of this paper is to highlight this literature and discuss its potential relevance and usefulness to better understand the processes underlying NF and further improve the design of clinical trials assessing NF efficacy. Indeed, we are convinced that while NF and BCI are fundamentally different in many ways, both the BCI and NF communities could reach compelling achievements by building upon one another. By reviewing the recent BCI literature, we identified three types of factors that influence BCI performance: task-specific, cognitive/motivational and technology-acceptance-related factors. Since BCIs and NF share a common goal (i.e., learning to modulate specific neurophysiological patterns), similar cognitive and neurophysiological processes are likely to be involved during the training process. Thus, the literature on BCI training may help (1) to deepen our understanding of neurofeedback training processes and (2) to understand the variables that influence the clinical efficacy of NF. This may help to properly assess and/or control the influence of these variables during randomized controlled trials.

A case-control study of skin conductance biofeedback on seizure frequency and emotion regulation in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy.

This study investigates the physiological basis of effects of skin conductance biofeedback on anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and stress in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This method presents an interest in seizure reduction and improvement in psychiatric comorbidities frequently associated with TLE. Our goal was to better understand the impact of biofeedback on seizure control and on emotional regulation. Fifteen patients with TLE were treated with 12 skin conductance biofeedback sessions and compared with 15 control TLE patients on a waiting list. They were evaluated in terms of seizure frequency, clinical evaluations of anxiety and depression and skin conductance responses (SCR) to five emotions: fear, disgust, sadness, happiness and peacefulness induced by short films. Biofeedback training significantly reduced seizure frequency with a mean reduction of -47.42% in the biofeedback group, while the control group did not differ at the two time measures. A significant improvement was found for depression and trait-anxiety in the biofeedback group but not in the control group. There were no differences on SCR on any emotion after biofeedback treatment. A correlation was found between mean change in SCR over the biofeedback treatment and the reduction of seizure frequency, but not between SCR changes and scores on psychiatric comorbidities. These results show independent effect of biofeedback on mood and seizure control. Improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms were not related to SCR, whereas improved seizure control was, suggesting differential mechanisms underlying these two phenomena.

[Implantable nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]. / Traitement du syndrome d'apnées et hypopnées obstructives du sommeil par stimulation nerveuse implantable.

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common disorder that has been identified as a contributor to cardiovascular disease making it a major public health problem. Continuous positive airway pressure is the standard treatment but compliance is suboptimal. Mandibular advancement devices and surgery have limited indications, inconstant efficiency and potential irreversible side effects. Stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve, that innervates the genioglossus, a protrusor muscle of the tongue, is now a new treatment option for moderate and severe cases of OSAHS. Two types of stimulation are currently available: stimulation synchronous with inspiration and continuous stimulation. The indication of each type of stimulation and long-term effects still need to be assessed but the implantable nerve stimulation is a promising treatment for patients without a therapy solution so far.

Sensory gating in adult with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Event-evoked potential and perceptual experience reports comparisons with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: In daily life, adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report abnormal perceptual experiences that can be related to sensory gating deficit. This study investigated and compared P50 suppression (a neurophysiological measure of sensory gating) and perceptual abnormalities related to sensory gating deficit in ADHD and schizophrenias patients. METHODS: Three groups were compared: 24 adults with ADHD, 24 patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy subjects. The Sensory Gating Inventory (SGI), a validated self-report questionnaire, was used to measure perceptual abnormalities related to sensory gating deficit. P50 suppression was measured by P50 amplitude changes in a dual-click conditioning-testing auditory event-related potential procedure. RESULTS: Adults with ADHD had significantly higher scores on the SGI and significantly lower P50 suppression than healthy subjects. These deficits were similar to those found in patients with schizophrenia. A correlation was found between both the SGI and P50 suppression data in adults with ADHD and patients with schizophrenia. DISCUSSION: The findings confirm previous results found in patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, adults with ADHD, similar to patients with schizophrenia, had abnormal P50 suppression and reported being flooded with sensory stimuli. Abnormal neurophysiologic responses to repetitive stimuli gave rise to clinically abnormal perceptions.

Skin conductance biofeedback training in adults with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and stress-triggered seizures: a proof-of-concept study.

The present proof-of-concept study investigated the feasibility of skin conductance biofeedback training in reducing seizures in adults with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), whose seizures are triggered by stress. Skin conductance biofeedback aims to increase levels of peripheral sympathetic arousal in order to reduce cortical excitability. This might seem somewhat counterintuitive, since such autonomic arousal may also be associated with increased stress and anxiety. Thus, this sought to verify that patients with TLE and stress-triggered seizures are not worsened in terms of stress, anxiety, and negative emotional response to this nonpharmacological treatment. Eleven patients with drug-resistant TLE with seizures triggered by stress were treated with 12 sessions of biofeedback. Patients did not worsen on cognitive evaluation of attentional biases towards negative emotional stimuli (P>.05) or on psychometric evaluation with state anxiety inventory (P = .059); in addition, a significant improvement was found in the Negative Affect Schedule (P = .014) and in the Beck Depression Inventory (P = .009). Biofeedback training significantly reduced seizure frequency with a mean reduction of -48.61% (SD = 27.79) (P = .005). There was a correlation between the mean change in skin conductance activity over the biofeedback treatment and the reduction of seizure frequency (r(11) = .62, P = .042). Thus, the skin conductance biofeedback used in the present study, which teaches patients to achieve an increased level of peripheral sympathetic arousal, was a well-tolerated nonpharmacological treatment. Further, well-controlled studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic value of this nonpharmacological treatment in reducing seizures in adults with drug-resistant TLE with seizures triggered by stress.