Relation of spectral-pattern discrimination and speech-in-noise ability to working memory.

<p>From three separate linear regression models that controlled for age, gender, race, and education, table entries are the estimated coefficient, standard error (<i>SE</i>), the lower and upper 95% confidence interval (CI) for the estimate, standardized coefficient (β), <i>p</i> value, squared semi-partial correlation, and squared structure coefficient for the independent variable working memory. For model 1, <i>F</i>(5,123) = 8.88, <i>p</i> < .001; model 2, <i>F</i>(5,123) = 6.18, <i>p</i> < .001; and model 3, <i>F</i>(6,123) = 7.90, <i>p</i> < .001. R² (adjusted R²) was .273 (.243), .208 (.174), and .251 (.219) for models 1, 2, and 3, respectively.</p><p>Relation of spectral-pattern discrimination and speech-in-noise ability to working memory.</p

Stochastic FM discrimination.

<p>Schematic illustration of stochastic FM showing the contrasting instantaneous frequency functions of two stimuli of a discrimination trial.</p

Audiograms.

<p>In separate panels for the left and right ear, group audiograms. Subject group is indicated by box shading with the White group without shading and the Black group with gray shading. Error bars show the 10th and 90th percentiles, with outliers exceeding the error-bar range plotted as filled circles.</p

Masker from FM SNR condition.

<p>Left panel: time waveform of a masker sample used in the FM SNR condition. Right panel: spectrogram of the masker sample showing the amplitude spectrum as a function of time.</p

Ripple-phase discrimination.

<p>Schematic illustration of the spectral-ripple condition showing the contrasting amplitude spectra of a discrimination trial with difference due to change in starting phase of the spectral ripple. The speech-shaped filtering of the stimuli is omitted in the illustration.</p

Test results.

<p>Values are arithmetic mean (SD), except for ripple-phase threshold with the geometric mean (SD) reported. <i>t</i> values, degrees of freedom (<i>df</i>), and <i>p</i> values are from <i>t</i> tests of differences between Black and White subjects with the Bonferroni-Holm correction for multiple comparisons. When less than 122, <i>df</i> was adjusted due to significance of Levene’s test for equality of variances. Cohen’s <i>d</i> is a measure of effect size for each test.</p><p>Test results.</p

Relationships between global cognition and auditory abilities.

<p>In separate panels, individual global-cognition <i>z</i> scores as a function of each of the four auditory metrics. The solid red line is a linear regression of the data. Correlation, with the Bonferonni-Holm corrected <i>p</i> value in parentheses, is indicated in the lower left corner of each panel.</p

Auditory test results.

<p>In separate panels for each of the four auditory metrics, results from each subject group (White or Black). Error bars show the 10th and 90th percentiles, with outliers exceeding the error-bar range plotted as filled circles.</p

Pattern matrix.

<p>Component weighting of age, cognitive, and auditory variables obtained in a principal-components factor analysis using Oblimin rotation with Kaiser Normalization. Magnitude of component weights > 0.3 are highlighted via bold font and underscore.</p><p>Pattern matrix.</p

Comparing the Effect of a Moderate Physical Activity Intervention on the Mental Health Outcomes of African American and Caucasian Dementia Family Caregivers: A Secondary Data Analysis

<p>Increased attention to the effects of the stressful demands of caregiving on the mental health of dementia caregivers has resulted in the development of numerous interventions. The current study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial that tested a 12-month moderate physical activity intervention with dementia caregivers. Our secondary data analysis examined racial differences in caregiver mental health outcomes including subjective burden, depressive symptoms, and positive affect, as well as differences in physical activity. A total of 211 community-dwelling dementia family caregivers were randomly assigned to a 12-month Enhanced Physical Activity (treatment) Intervention (EPAI) or a Caregiver Skill Building (control) Intervention (CSBI). Of these, 34 African American and 80 Caucasian caregivers completed the study. At baseline, race was associated with subjective burden and positive affect, but not with depressive symptoms. Post intervention (12 months), there were no racial differences in subjective burden or depressive symptoms. However, race was significantly associated with decreased positive affect (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and decreased total minutes of physical activity (<i>p =</i> 0.012). Findings suggest that the mental health needs of African American caregivers warrant additional exploration, where physical activity may be of benefit. These findings provide a cultural perspective to consider during intervention development for future nurse-driven research.</p