The Relation Between Depressive Symptoms and Semantic Memory in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and in Late-Life Depression

Semantic deficits have been documented in the prodromal phase of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is unclear whether these deficits are associated with non-cognitive manifestations. For instance, recent evidence indicates that cognitive deficits in elders with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are modulated by concomitant depressive symptoms. The purposes of this study were to (i) investigate if semantic memory impairment in aMCI is modulated according to the presence (aMCI-D group) or absence (aMCI group) of depressive symptoms, and (ii) compare semantic memory performance of aMCI and aMCI-D groups to that of patients with late-life depression (LLD). Seventeen aMCI, 16 aMCI-D, 15 LLD, and 26 healthy control participants were administered a semantic questionnaire assessing famous person knowledge. Results showed that performance of aMCI-D patients was impaired compared to the control and LLD groups. However, in the aMCI group performance was comparable to that of all other groups. Overall, these findings suggest that semantic deficits in aMCI are somewhat associated with the presence of concomitant depressive symptoms. However, depression alone cannot account solely for the semantic deficits since LLD patients showed no semantic memory impairment in this study. Future studies should aim at clarifying the association between depression and semantic deficits in older adults meeting aMCI criteria.Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada (IRSC) IAO-8467

Inspiration, images and design : an investigation of designers' information gathering strategies

Computational tools should efficiently support, and even enhance, designers' creativity. As a ground for such developments, design cognition studies aim at describing designers' mental strategies within the design process. So far, most researches have been focused on the idea generation phases, e.g. sketching activity, which is explicit enough to be observed and described. However, the early stages of design remain incompletely understood, while the informational phase is identified as a crucial step of the design process. In this context, our objective is to identify and evaluate inspirational information used by designers before generating ideas, and to describe how inspirational information is used. In this article, we report a two-part study (interviews and experimental protocol) carried out with professional designers. The main outcomes demonstrate that traditional and electronic resources are not used in the same way by designers. We also show that information gathering strategies are strongly influenced by designers' preference.European Comissio

Impact de la réalité virtuelle dans le traitement des migraines et céphalées de tension pédiatriques

peer reviewe

Impact of Virtual Reality–Delivered Biofeedback and Yoga on Pediatric Headaches: A Pilot Study

peer reviewedObjectives: This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of two types of innovative approaches, namely biofeedback-assisted relaxation in virtual reality (VR-delivered biofeedback) and yoga in the management of pediatric headaches. The secondary aim was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of both interventions. Method: Children were randomized to three conditions: waiting list, yoga and VR-delivered biofeedback. Feasibility was assessed by applicability to the pain problem, and acceptability by attendance (missed sessions, dropout rate) and the use of learned strategies in everyday life. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated with questionnaires: frequency of headaches, functional disabilities, pain anxiety and pain catastrophizing. Mean scale scores post-intervention and two months afterward were compared with the baseline with repeated-measures ANOVAs and contrast analyses. Results: A total of 46 children were enrolled; 39 completed the questionnaires at the baseline and participated in interventions. Regarding feasibility, the safety of the interventions seems demonstrated by the absence or infrequency of headaches during sessions. Regarding acceptability, compliance with the sessions was excellent for VR-delivered biofeedback condition and satisfactory for yoga. Most of the children reported using the strategies learned in daily life, even after the interventions. Regarding efficacy, participants reported significantly fewer headaches and functional disabilities post-intervention and two months later. Minimal or no effects were observed on pain anxiety and pain catastrophizing. Conclusion: This pilot study indicates that VR-delivered biofeedback and yoga exercises may be feasible and acceptable interventions for the treatment of pediatric headaches