Physical activity to improve cognition in older adults: can physical activity programs enriched with cognitive challenges enhance the effects? A systematic review and meta-analysis

: EPHPP quality rating scores (DOCX 38 kb

Non-verbal IQ Gains from Relational Operant Training Explain Variance in Educational Attainment: An Active-Controlled Feasibility Study

Research suggests that training relational operant patterns of behavior can lead to increases in general cognitive ability and educational outcomes. Most studies to date have been under-powered and included proxy measures of educational attainment. We attempted to extend previous findings with increased experimental control in younger children (aged 6.9–10.1 years). Participants (N = 49) were assigned to either a relational training or chess control group. Over 5 months, teachers assigned class time to complete either relational training or play chess. Those who were assigned relational training gained 8.9 non-verbal IQ (NVIQ) points, while those in the control condition recorded no gains (dppc2 = .99). Regression analyses revealed that post-training NVIQ predicted reading test scores (conducted approximately 1 month later) over and above baseline NVIQ in the experimental condition only, consistent with what we might expect in a full test of far transfer towards educational outcomes

No evidence that short-term cognitive or physical training programs or lifestyles are related to changes in white matter integrity in older adults at risk of dementia

Cognitive and physical activities can benefit cognition. However, knowledge about the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these activity-induced cognitive benefits is still limited, especially with regard to the role of white matter integrity (WMI), which is affected in cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the immediate and long-term effects of cognitive or physical training on WMI, as well as the association between cognitive and physical lifestyles and changes in WMI over a 6-month period. Additionally, we explored whether changes in WMI underlie activity-related cognitive changes, and estimated the potential of both trainings to improve WMI by correlating training outcomes with WMI. In an observational and interventional pretest, posttest, 3-month follow-up design, we assigned 47 community-dwelling older adults at risk of dementia to 50 sessions of auditory processing and working memory training (n = 13), 50 sessions of cardiovascular, strength, coordination, balance and flexibility exercises (n = 14), or a control group (n = 20). We measured lifestyles trough self-reports, cognitive training skills through training performance, functional physical fitness through the Senior Fitness Test, and global cognition through a cognitive test battery. WMI was assessed via a composite score of diffusion tensor imaging-based fractional anisotropy (FA) of three regions of interest shown to be affected in aging and Alzheimer’s disease: the genu of corpus callosum, the fornix, and the hippocampal cingulum. Effects for training interventions on FA outcomes, as well as associations between lifestyles and changes in FA outcomes were not significant. Additional analyses did show associations between cognitive lifestyle and global cognitive changes at the posttest and the 3-month follow-up (β ≥ 0.40, p ≤ 0.02) and accounting for changes in WMI did not affect these relationships. The targeted training outcomes were related to FA scores at baseline (cognitive training skills and FA composite score, r(s) = 0.68, p = 0.05; functional physical fitness and fornix FA, r = 0.35, p = 0.03). Overall, we found no evidence of a link between short-term physical or cognitive activities and WMI changes, despite activity-related cognitive changes in older adults at risk of dementia. However, we found positive associations between the two targeted training outcomes and WMI, hinting at a potential of long-term activities to affect WMI

Enhancing Flow While Generating Ideas in Psychotherapy Through an Inspiration Tool: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Transdiagnostic Sample

Objective: Patients generate ideas in many psychotherapeutic techniques. We assessed whether psychopathology is transdiagnostically linked to less favorable experiences such as flow while generating ideas and whether a gamified inpiration tool may improve these experiences. Method: In total, 200 adults (100 with and 100 without a psychiatric disorder) generated ideas within two psychotherapeutic techniques while randomized to use a gamified inspiration tool (Brain2Business™ small) plus brainstorming rules (B2B group) or brainstorming rules only (active control group). Three validated scales measured HiTOP-based superspectra and general psychopathology. A composite score measured idea generation experiences including game experiences (e.g., flow), energy-related experiences (e.g., vitality), and mood (e.g., affect). Results: Less favorable idea generation experiences were linked with lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorder (SMD = -0.67; p < 0.001), general psychopathology and all superspectra (β = -0.24 to -0.45, p < 0.001). In the prespecified analysis, the B2B vs. control group showed no significant benefit on favorable idea generation experiences (SMD = 0.12, p = 0.37). After accounting for covariates, the B2B vs. control group showed higher flow expericences (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.043) and a trend for more favorable idea generation experiences (SMD = 0.21, p = 0.090). Additionally, vitality increased during idea generation in the B2B vs. conrol group if compared to vitality directly before idea generation (SMD = 0.31; p = 0.027). Conclusions: Psychopathology has been transdiagnostically associated with less favorable experiences in idea generation, whereas a gamified inspiration tool could improve these experiences, particularly flow and vitality

Supplemental materials for preprint: Enhancing Flow While Generating Ideas in Psychotherapy Through an Inspiration Tool: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Transdiagnostic Sample

Objective: Patients generate ideas in many psychotherapeutic techniques. We assessed whether psychopathology is transdiagnostically linked to less favorable experiences such as flow while generating ideas and whether a gamified inpiration tool may improve these experiences. Method: In total, 200 adults (100 with and 100 without a psychiatric disorder) generated ideas within two psychotherapeutic techniques while randomized to use a gamified inspiration tool (Brain2Business™ small) plus brainstorming rules (B2B group) or brainstorming rules only (active control group). Three validated scales measured HiTOP-based superspectra and general psychopathology. A composite score measured idea generation experiences including game experiences (e.g., flow), energy-related experiences (e.g., vitality), and mood (e.g., affect). Results: Less favorable idea generation experiences were linked with lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorder (SMD = -0.67; p < 0.001), general psychopathology and all superspectra (β = -0.24 to -0.45, p < 0.001). In the prespecified analysis, the B2B vs. control group showed no significant benefit on favorable idea generation experiences (SMD = 0.12, p = 0.37). After accounting for covariates, the B2B vs. control group showed higher flow expericences (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.043) and a trend for more favorable idea generation experiences (SMD = 0.21, p = 0.090). Additionally, vitality increased during idea generation in the B2B vs. conrol group if compared to vitality directly before idea generation (SMD = 0.31; p = 0.027). Conclusions: Psychopathology has been transdiagnostically associated with less favorable experiences in idea generation, whereas a gamified inspiration tool could improve these experiences, particularly flow and vitality