The underpinning of meaningful activities by brain correlates: a systematic review

IntroductionEngaging in meaningful activities contributes to health and wellbeing. Research identifies meaningfulness by analysing retrospective and subjective data such as personal experiences in activities. Objectively measuring meaningful activities by registering the brain (fNIRS, EEG, PET, fMRI) remains poorly investigated.MethodsA systematic review using PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library.FindingsThirty-one studies investigating the correlations between daily activities in adults, their degree of meaningfulness for the participant, and the brain areas involved, were identified. The activities could be classified according to the degree of meaningfulness, using the attributes of meaningfulness described in the literature. Eleven study activities contained all attributes, which means that these can be assumed to be meaningful for the participant. Brain areas involved in these activities were generally related to emotional and affective processing, motivation, and reward.ConclusionAlthough it is demonstrated that neural correlates of meaningful activities can be measured objectively by neurophysiological registration techniques, “meaning” as such has not yet been investigated explicitly. Further neurophysiological research for objective monitoring of meaningful activities is recommended.</jats:sec

Data_Sheet_1_The underpinning of meaningful activities by brain correlates: a systematic review.docx

IntroductionEngaging in meaningful activities contributes to health and wellbeing. Research identifies meaningfulness by analysing retrospective and subjective data such as personal experiences in activities. Objectively measuring meaningful activities by registering the brain (fNIRS, EEG, PET, fMRI) remains poorly investigated.MethodsA systematic review using PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library.FindingsThirty-one studies investigating the correlations between daily activities in adults, their degree of meaningfulness for the participant, and the brain areas involved, were identified. The activities could be classified according to the degree of meaningfulness, using the attributes of meaningfulness described in the literature. Eleven study activities contained all attributes, which means that these can be assumed to be meaningful for the participant. Brain areas involved in these activities were generally related to emotional and affective processing, motivation, and reward.ConclusionAlthough it is demonstrated that neural correlates of meaningful activities can be measured objectively by neurophysiological registration techniques, “meaning” as such has not yet been investigated explicitly. Further neurophysiological research for objective monitoring of meaningful activities is recommended.</p

Choice of antipsychotic treatment by European psychiatry trainees: are decisions based on evidence?

Background: Little is known about the factors influencing treatment choice in psychosis, the majority of this work being conducted with specialists (consultant) in psychiatry. We sought to examine trainees' choices of treatment for psychosis if they had to prescribe it for themselves, their patients, and factors influencing decision-making. Methods: Cross-sectional, semi-structured questionnaire-based study. Results: Of the 726 respondents (response rate = 66%), the majority chose second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) if they had to prescribe it for themselves (n = 530, 93%) or for their patients (n = 546, 94%). The main factor influencing choice was perceived efficacy, 84.8% (n = 475) of trainees stating this was the most important factor for the patient, and 77.8% (n = 404) stating this was the most important factor for their own treatment. Trainees with knowledge of trials questioning use of SGAs (CATIE, CUtLASS, TEOSS) were more likely to choose second-generation antipsychotics than those without knowledge of these trials (chi(2) = 3.943; p = 0.047; O.R. = 2.11; 95% C.I. = 1.0-4.48). Regarding psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was the most popular choice for self (33.1%; n = 240) and patient (30.9%; n = 224). Trainees were significantly more likely to prefer some form of psychotherapy for themselves rather than patients (chi(2) = 9.98; p < 0,002; O.R. = 1.54; 95% CIs = 1.18-2.0). Conclusions: Trainees are more likely to choose second-generation antipsychotic medication for patients and themselves. Despite being aware of evidence that suggests otherwise, they predominantly base these choices on perceived efficacy