Validity of digital trail making test and bells test in elderlies

Digital neuropsychological tests self-Administered at home have the potential to detect early signs of cognitive decline in the elderlies, thus allowing to adopt preventive measures. Usability tests and clinical validation are required before computerized assessment could juxtapose traditional paper-And-pencil tests to spot early signs of decline. We have developed a tablet-based digitized version of two neuropsychological tests commonly used in screening for dementia: Trail Making Test (A and B versions) and Bells Test. We studied system usability and acceptance, and concurrent validity of the computerized assessment compared with the corresponding paper-And-pencil tests. Results show a very high system acceptance, notwithstanding the patients' low familiarity with technology. System validation reports a good ability of the digital tests to retain the same predictive power of the corresponding paper-based tests. Altogether, results suggest that computerized neuropsychological assessment may represent an adequate, ecological and cost-effective solution for home monitoring of the elder's cognitive status, thus supporting clinicians in the identification of early signs of cognitive decline

Validity of digital Trail Making Test and Bells Test in elderlies

Continuous home-based cognitive monitoring through digital neuropsychological tests has the potential to detect early signs of cognitive decline in the elderlies, thus allowing to adopt preventive measures. However, digital tests suffer from two main limitations: the elderlies\u2019 reduced familiarity with technology and the lack of normative data. Therefore, clinical validation is required before computerized neuropsychological assessment could juxtapose traditional paper-and-pencil tests in the identification of early signs of cognitive decline. In this study, we have developed tablet-based digitized versions of three neuropsychological tests commonly used to screen for dementia, Trail Making Test (A and B versions) and Bells Test, with the twofold aim of evaluating the system usability and acceptance and investigating the concurrent validity of the computerized assessment compared to the corresponding paper-and-pencil tests. Results emerged from the first 41 older adults are promising. System acceptance was very high, notwithstanding the patients\u2019 low familiarity with technology. System validation reports a good ability of the digital tests to retain the same predictive power of the corresponding paper-based tests. Altogether, results suggest that computerized neuropsychological assessment may represent an efficacious, ecological and cost-effective solution for home monitoring of the elder\u2019s cognitive status, thus supporting clinicians in the identification of early signs of cognitive decline

Listen to the Music: Music and mindfulness in the workplace

Background: The prevalence of work-related stress is increasing. Interventions, aiming to reduce work-related stress and improve wellbeing, are being explored. Objective: This thesis portfolio explored the use of music interventions in the workplace and the effect of mindful music listening on stress, wellbeing, cognitive performance, and compassionate leadership. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted to explore the effect of workplace music interventions on stress and wellbeing. The review synthesised how music interventions were delivered, by whom, and how stress and wellbeing were measured. Following this, a feasibility and acceptability study was undertaken to investigate the potential for a randomised control trial to explore a mindful music listening intervention on stress, wellbeing, cognitive performance, and compassionate leadership in university staff. Standardised measures of mood, stress, wellbeing, cognitive performance, and compassionate leadership were assessed remotely, pre- and post-intervention for 41 volunteers. Results: A meta-analysis of four studies found no significant effect of music interventions on wellbeing. However, a narrative synthesis of all 16 studies suggested some evidence of effect of music listening on stress and wellbeing. The strongest evidence of effect was music listening on stress. The feasibility and acceptability data from the empirical study showed participants found the intervention enjoyable and beneficial. However, they struggled to engage with the intervention, regularly in the working day. Estimated effect sizes suggest medium effects for mood, compassionate leadership and cognitive performance and large effects for wellbeing. Conclusions: Overall, these papers suggest that music interventions, including mindful music listening, may have positive effects on stress, mood, cognitive performance, and wellbeing. However, the evidence is heterogenous and drawn from small samples. More good quality research is needed to truly understand the efficacy of workplace music interventions. Further understanding of the elements which lead to effectiveness and engagement with employers would be imperative