RESUMEN
Findings relating to the impact of mindfulness interventions on creative performance remain inconsistent, perhaps because of discrepancies between study designs, including variability in the length of mindfulness interventions, the absence of control groups or the tendencies to explore creativity as one unitary construct. To derive a clearer understanding of the impact that mindfulness interventions may exert on creative performance, two meta-analytical reviews were conducted, drawing respectively on studies using a control group design (n = 20) and studies using a pretest-posttest design (n = 17). A positive effect was identified between mindfulness and creativity, both for control group designs (d = 0.42, 95% CIs [0.29, 0.54]) and pretest-posttest designs (d = 0.59, 95% CIs [0.38, 0.81]). Subgroup analysis revealed that intervention length, creativity task (i.e., divergent vs. convergent thinking tasks) and control group type, were significant moderators for control group studies, whereas only intervention length was a significant moderator for pretest-posttest studies. Overall, the findings support the use of mindfulness as a tool to enhance creative performance, with more advantageous outcomes for convergent as opposed to divergent thinking tasks. We discuss the implications of study design and intervention length as key factors of relevance to future research aimed at advancing theoretical accounts of the relationship between mindfulness and creativity.
Asunto(s)
Atención Plena , Pensamiento , Humanos , Creatividad , Proyectos de InvestigaciónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of 24-hour time-use compositions with mental health in a large, geographically diverse sample of UK adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis. SETTING: Millennium Cohort Study (sixth survey), a UK-based prospective birth cohort. PARTICIPANTS: Data were available from 4642 adolescents aged 14 years. Analytical samples for weekday and weekend analyses were n=3485 and n=3468, respectively (45% boys, 85% white ethnicity). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, socioemotional behaviour), Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ, depressive symptoms) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE, self-esteem). Behavioural exposure data were derived from 24-hour time-use diaries. RESULTS: On weekdays, participants spent approximately 54% of their time in sleep, 3% in physical activity, 9% in school-related activities, 6% in hobbies, 11% using electronic media and 16% in domestic activities. Predicted differences in SDQ, MFQ and RSE were statistically significant for all models (weekday and weekend) that simulated the addition or removal of 15 min physical activity, with an increase in activity being associated with improved mental health and vice versa. Predicted differences in RSE were also significant for simulated changes in electronic media use; an increase in electronic media use was associated with reduced self-esteem. CONCLUSION: Small but consistent associations were observed between physical activity, electronic media use and selected markers of mental health. Findings support the delivery of physical activity interventions to promote mental health during adolescence, without the need to specifically target or protect time spent in other activities.
Asunto(s)
Ejercicio Físico , Salud Mental , Adolescente , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios Prospectivos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
We examined associations between youth 24-hour activity behaviour compositions and mental health. Data were collected from 359 participants (aged 9-13 years). Activity behaviours (sleep, sedentary time (ST), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) were assessed using wrist-worn accelerometers. Questionnaires and a computerized cognitive test battery assessed mental health outcomes. Linear mixed models examined associations between activity behaviour compositions and mental health. Post-hoc analyses modelled the influence of reallocating fixed durations of time between activity behaviours on mental health. ST was associated with worse internalizing problems (all participants; p< 0.05) and poorer prosocial behaviour (primary school participants only; p< 0.05), relative to the other activity behaviours. LPA was associated with worse cognitive test scores among primary school participants; p< 0.05). For all participants, reallocating time to ST from sleep and MVPA was associated with higher internalizing problems. Among primary school participants, reallocating time to ST from any other behaviour was associated with poorer prosocial behaviour, and reallocating time to LPA from any other behaviour was associated with lower executive function. Children's mental health may be promoted by schools integrating opportunities for MVPA throughout the day. Our results provide further evidence for the influence of daily activity behaviours on youth mental health.
Asunto(s)
Función Ejecutiva/fisiología , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Salud Mental , Conducta Sedentaria , Sueño/fisiología , Acelerometría , Adolescente , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Análisis de Datos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Inhibition and switching are executive functions (EFs) that have different developmental trajectories across childhood. The development of specific processes unique to each EF may contribute to these trajectories. Interference suppression and reversal were examined in a large sample of children aged 7 and 9 years (nâ¯=â¯120) and followed-up after two-years to investigate developmental trajectories of inhibition and switching. The N2 and P3b components provided neural correlates of conflict monitoring and attentional processing of conflict involved in interference suppression and reversal. Interference suppression improved over time, however, switching performance did not significantly change between 7 and 11 years. Improvements in correct RT with age and time indicated increased efficiency of stimulus evaluation, response preparation and execution. N2 amplitude decreased with both age and time, indicating less reliance on conflict monitoring to signal cognitive control to manage stimulus and response conflict. P3b amplitude modulations indicated that different amounts of attention were allocated to updating mental representations of interference suppression and reversal task features. These data indicated different developmental trajectories of specific processes unique to inhibition and switching across the childhood period of 7-11 years, providing further empirical evidence that 7-11 years is a critical period for cognitive development.
Asunto(s)
Cognición/fisiología , Función Ejecutiva/fisiología , Inhibición Psicológica , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , MasculinoRESUMEN
Task-irrelevant speech impairs short-term serial recall appreciably. On the interference-by-process account, the processing of physical (i.e., precategorical) changes in speech yields order cues that conflict with the serial-ordering process deployed to perform the serial recall task. In this view, the postcategorical properties (e.g., phonology, meaning) of speech play no role. The present study reassessed the implications of recent demonstrations of auditory postcategorical distraction in serial recall that have been taken as support for an alternative, attentional-diversion, account of the irrelevant speech effect. Focusing on the disruptive effect of emotionally valent compared with neutral words on serial recall, we show that the distracter-valence effect is eliminated under conditions-high task-encoding load-thought to shield against attentional diversion whereas the general effect of speech (neutral words compared with quiet) remains unaffected (Experiment 1). Furthermore, the distracter-valence effect generalizes to a task that does not require the processing of serial order-the missing-item task-whereas the effect of speech per se is attenuated in this task (Experiment 2). We conclude that postcategorical auditory distraction phenomena in serial short-term memory (STM) are incidental: they are observable in such a setting but, unlike the acoustically driven irrelevant speech effect, are not integral to it. As such, the findings support a duplex-mechanism account over a unitary view of auditory distraction. (PsycINFO Database Record
Asunto(s)
Atención , Percepción Auditiva , Memoria a Corto Plazo , Adolescente , Adulto , Emociones , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Recuerdo Mental , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas Psicológicas , Distribución Aleatoria , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Activities of aminopeptidases A, B, and N (ApA, ApB & ApN) and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) have been seen to be decreased amongst patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). All of these enzymes are involved with the brain renin-angiotensin system which is believed to be involved with learning and memory. This study aimed to explore the time course and the mechanisms underlying these changes. Serum samples were collected from 45 AD patients at the start of the study, and again 13months later (n=37). The control group was 22 healthy, older, adults. Enzyme activity was determined at two substrate concentrations to allow Michaelis-Menten analysis of the enzyme activity. The results indicated that there was decreased activity of ApA, ApB and ApN amongst AD patients but no difference in serum IRAP activity. There were no associations between enzyme activity and age, gender nor scores on psychomotor tests. Consideration of the data for the two time points for AD patients showed that the changes in ApB occurred at an early stage of the disease and persisted, whilst those of ApA and ApN only became apparent at later stages of the disease. Although differences in Michaelis-Menten parameters were not statistically significant, consideration of the values suggested that the decrease in ApB activity may be a result of changes in enzyme protein conformation, whilst that of ApN may be a consequence of decreased enzyme expression. Importantly, the different time courses of the effects and the differential changes in enzyme affinity and expression indicated that the observed changes with progression of AD were not a 'class effect' for serum aminopeptidases but were idiosyncratic for the individual enzymes.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/sangre , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/enzimología , Aminopeptidasas/sangre , Aminopeptidasas/metabolismo , Sistema Renina-Angiotensina , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Memoria , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Análisis de RegresiónRESUMEN
This paper presents a methodology to control construction task complexity and examined the relationships between construction performance and spatial and mathematical abilities in children. The study included three groups of children (N = 96); ages 7-8, 10-11, and 13-14 years. Each group constructed seven pre-specified objects. The study replicated and extended previous findings that indicated that the extent of component symmetry and variety, and the number of components for each object and available for selection, significantly predicted construction task difficulty. Results showed that this methodology is a valid and reliable technique for assessing and predicting construction play task difficulty. Furthermore, construction play performance predicted mathematical attainment independently of spatial ability.
Asunto(s)
Cognición/fisiología , Matemática/métodos , Percepción Espacial/fisiología , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , Adolescente , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
Renal disease is a risk factor for vascular diseases and for dementia, and renal insufficiency can be a feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence has suggested that vascular mechanisms mediate the link between renal disease and dementia. Our study sought to test this hypothesis by examining renal and vascular functioning in AD by investigating estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), calculated from serum creatinine concentrations, and established biomarkers of vascular functioning, asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy), in individuals with mild to moderate AD (n = 34) and a group of older adult controls (n = 34). We found significantly reduced eGFR, indicative of impaired renal functioning, in individuals with AD (M = 62.9, SD = 15.2) compared with controls (M = 73.6, SD = 11.8). However, concentrations of ADMA and Hcy did not differ between patient and control groups (ADMA: M = 0.47; M = 0.50; Hcy: M = 17.2; M = 14.9; patients and controls). The criteria for a mediation analysis were not met, as concentrations of ADMA and Hcy did not predict AD, indicating that these biomarkers of vascular functioning did not mediate a relationship between renal functioning and AD. This study indicated that renal insufficiency may independently contribute to AD pathology, and other vascular mechanisms may influence a relationship between renal impairment and AD.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/complicaciones , Biomarcadores/sangre , Enfermedades Renales/etiología , Enfermedades Vasculares/sangre , Enfermedades Vasculares/etiología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Arginina/análogos & derivados , Arginina/sangre , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Creatinina/sangre , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Homocisteína/sangre , Humanos , Enfermedades Renales/diagnóstico , Masculino , Escala del Estado Mental , Análisis Multivariante , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: A potential anti-inflammatory role for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) has been supported by animal studies. As very limited data exist from individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the aim of this study was to assess the potential influence of AChEIs on blood pro-inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were lower in individuals with AD stabilized on AChEIs. METHODS: Blood interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were assessed using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in three groups of participants: patients with AD stabilized on a therapeutic dose of an AChEI (n = 42); AChEIs drug naïve patients (n = 24); and a cognitively unimpaired control group (n = 35). Patients in the AChEIs group had received medication for an average of one year. RESULTS: Patients stabilized on an AChEI did not differ significantly from drug naïve patients in relation to the concentrations of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p = 0.874, 0.225, and 0.978, respectively). Within the group taking AChEIs, the levels of cytokines did not differ between those taking donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine (p = 0.368, 0.851, and 0.299, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Results from animal studies suggesting a modulatory anti-inflammatory role for AChEIs was not advanced in this study. In individuals with AD, very limited evidence currently exists to support the hypothesis that AChEIs may influence inflammatory blood markers and function beyond the enhancement of neuronal transmission. However, further studies assessing a wider range of inflammatory markers and processes are still needed before this hypothesis can be ruled out.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/sangre , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa/uso terapéutico , Interleucina-1beta/sangre , Interleucina-6/sangre , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/sangre , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/tratamiento farmacológico , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa/farmacología , Donepezilo , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Galantamina/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Indanos/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Fenilcarbamatos/uso terapéutico , Piperidinas/uso terapéutico , Rivastigmina , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is an established treatment for complex coronary artery disease. There is a widely held belief that cognitive decline presents post-operatively. A consensus statement of core neuropsychological tests was published in 1995 with the intention of guiding investigation into this issue. We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the evidence for cognitive decline post-CABG surgery. Twenty-eight published studies, accumulating data from up to 2043 patients undergoing CABG surgery, were included. Results were examined at 'very early' (<2 weeks), 'early' (3 months) and 'late' (6-12 months) time periods post-operatively. Two of the four tests suggested an initial very early decrease in psychomotor speed that was not present at subsequent testing. Rather, the omnibus data indicated subtle improvement in function relative to pre-operative baseline testing. Our findings suggest improvement in cognitive function in the first year following CABG surgery. This is contrary to the more negative interpretation of results of some individual publications included in our review, which may reflect poor outcomes in a few patients and/or methodological issues.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos del Conocimiento/etiología , Puente de Arteria Coronaria/efectos adversos , Cognición , Trastornos del Conocimiento/diagnóstico , Puente de Arteria Coronaria/psicología , HumanosRESUMEN
According to the rapid auditory processing theory, the ability to parse incoming auditory information underpins learning of oral and written language. There is wide variation in this low-level perceptual ability, which appears to follow a protracted developmental course. We studied the development of rapid auditory processing using event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by tone pairs presented at varying inter-stimulus intervals (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ms) in a sample of children (N = 103) aged 7-9 years initially and again at 9-11 years. We also assessed their ability to repeat nonsense words at both time-points. The amount of difference between the ERP to single tones and paired tones (as assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC) provided a measure of the brain's capacity to discriminate auditory information delivered at different presentation rates. Results showed that older children showed greater neural discrimination to tone pairs than younger children at rapid presentation rates, although these differences were reduced at slower presentation rates. The ICC at time 1 significantly predicted nonword repetition scores two years later, providing support for the view that rapid auditory temporal processing ability affects oral language development in typically developing children.
Asunto(s)
Percepción Auditiva/fisiología , Aprendizaje Discriminativo/fisiología , Desarrollo del Lenguaje , Lóbulo Temporal/fisiología , Aprendizaje Verbal/fisiología , Estimulación Acústica , Niño , Potenciales Evocados/fisiología , Humanos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Neurophysiological methods were used to study the effects of high altitude living on brain functions in a subgroup of participants of the Bolivian Children Living at Altitude (BoCLA) project. METHODS: Electroencephalogram (EEG), event-related potentials (ERP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) were recorded in two groups of adolescents (aged 13-16 years), living either at sea-level or high altitude (~3700m). RESULTS: Neuropsychological testing revealed no deficits in the high altitude group, despite significantly reduced blood oxygen saturation. In agreement, ERPs elicited by oddball target detection and choice reaction time tasks were not different between groups. In contrast, resting state EEG showed reductions in delta and beta frequency amplitudes in adolescents living at high altitude. The EEG attenuations were correlated with lower CBFV, and the EEG group differences diminished during task performance. CONCLUSIONS: No indication was found for negative sequelae of chronic hypoxia in adolescents born and living at an altitude of ~3700m, rather evidence for successful neurophysiological adaptation was found under such conditions. SIGNIFICANCE: Dynamic regulation of metabolic demand is one adaptive mechanism that preserves cognitive development at high altitude.
Asunto(s)
Aclimatación/fisiología , Altitud , Encéfalo/fisiología , Cognición/fisiología , Adaptación Biológica , Adolescente , Velocidad del Flujo Sanguíneo/fisiología , Circulación Cerebrovascular/fisiología , Electroencefalografía , Potenciales Evocados/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Oxígeno/sangre , Tiempo de Reacción/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Childhood is associated with improvements in task accuracy, response time, and reductions in intraindividual trial-to-trial variability in reaction times. The aims of this study were to investigate neural indicators of error monitoring to better understand the mechanisms underlying these cognitive developments in primary school aged children. Specifically, this study explored the development of error processing in 36 children aged 7 years and 41 children aged 9 years, as indexed by two electrophysiological indices of error processing, the error-related negativity (ERN) and the error positivity (Pe). Notably, the amplitude and latency of the ERN and Pe did not differ significantly between the age groups. However, intraindividual variability in response time (RT) was strongly related to ERN amplitude. These data suggest the utility of comparing neural and behavioral indicators of cognitive performance in children and uniquely highlight the importance of considering intraindividual variability in task performance in studies that explore error processing.
Asunto(s)
Corteza Cerebral/fisiología , Potenciales Evocados/fisiología , Individualidad , Desempeño Psicomotor/fisiología , Tiempo de Reacción/fisiología , Factores de Edad , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Análisis de Varianza , Niño , Electroencefalografía , Femenino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
Age-related effects on novelty processing have been reported and are linked with changes in frontal lobe functioning. Auditory novelty processing and habituation of the novelty P3 event-related potential were investigated in younger and older adults. Novelty processing, as indexed by novelty P3 amplitude, was similar between the groups. We found the expected decrease in novelty P3 amplitude at frontal regions in younger adults with repetition of novel stimuli. In contrast, older adults displayed no evidence of habituation, rather an increase in novelty P3 amplitude at frontal sites was found when novel stimuli were repeated. We extend current understanding of novelty processing in normal aging by comparing this habituation related-hyperfrontality with intellectual functioning.