Propiedades psicométricas de una tarea computarizada Stroop emocional caras y palabras

Objetivo: Determinar las propiedades psicométricas de una tarea computarizada de Stroop de reconocimiento emocional de caras y palabras en población colombiana. Método: La investigación fue de naturaleza cuantitativa, con un diseño de investigación instrumental de tipo psicométrico y de desarrollo tecnológico. La muestra se seleccionó por conveniencia, estuvo conformada por 1172 participantes (56,6 % mujeres, 43,4 % hombres), con edades entre 18 a 25 años quienes ingresaban a un dominio para contestar la tarea después de leer y aceptar el consentimiento. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos demuestran una consistencia interna favorable con un KR-20=0,853 y un coeficiente Omega de McDonald=0,859, una validez de constructo, a partir de un análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis factorial confirmatorio, que presenta una estructura de seis factores y explica un 50,32 % de la varianza; además, de una validez convergente con un coeficiente de correlación Spearman positivo de 0,522 %; los índices de confiabilidad y validez obtenidos en el presente estudio hacen de esta versión computarizada una prueba que puede ser usada en el ámbito de la evaluación de procesos de atención, memoria de trabajo e inhibición en población adulta colombiana no clínica. Conclusiones: En conclusión, se observó efectivamente que la configuración del instrumento psicológico en un software informático optimiza la recolección de datos, pues hay más precisión en la medición de latencias de respuestas, así mismo facilita el análisis de los datos.

Objective: To determine the psychometric properties of a computerized Stroop task of emotional recognition of faces and words in a Colombian population. Method: The research was quantitative in nature with an instrumental design of a psychometric type and technological development. The sample was selected for convenience. It was made up of 1172 participants (56,6 % women, 43 % men) between 18 and 25 years of age. They entered a domain to answer the task after reading and giving consent. Results: The results showed a favorable internal consistency with a KR-20=0,853 and a McDonald's Omega coefficient=0,859. A construct validity was obtained from an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis which presents a structure of six factors and explains 50,32 % of variance. In addition, it presents a convergent validity with a positive Spearman correlation coefficient of 0,522. The reliability and validity indices obtained in the present study make this computerized version a test that can be used in the field of evaluation of processes of attention, working memory and inhibition in non-clinical Colombian adult population. Discussions: In conclusion, it was effectively observed that the configuration of the psychological instrument in computer software optimizes data collection since there is more precision in the measurement of response latencies, as well as facilitating data analysis.

Objetivo: Determinar as propriedades psicométricas de uma tarefa Stroop computadorizada de reconhecimento emocional de rostos e palavras em uma população colombiana. Metologia: A pesquisa era de natureza quantitativa, com um projeto de pesquisa instrumental de tipo psicométrico e de desenvolvimento tecnológico. A amostra foi selecionada por conveniência e consistiu de 1172 participantes (56,6 % mulheres, 43,4 % homens), com idades entre 18 e 25 anos, que entraram em um domínio para responder à tarefa após a leitura e aceitação do termo de consentimento. Resultados: Os resultados obtidos mostram uma consistência interna favorável com um coeficiente KR-20=0,853 e McDonald's Omega = 0,859, A validade da construção foi obtida a partir de uma análise exploratória de fatores e análise confirmativa de Fatores, que apresenta uma estrutura de seis fatores e explica 50,32 % da variação, e validade convergente com um coeficiente de correlação Spearman positivo de 0,522. Os índices de confiabilidade e validade obtidos no presente estudo fazem desta versão computadorizada um teste que pode ser usado na avaliação da atenção, memória de trabalho e processos de inibição na população adulta colombiana não-clínica. Conclusões: Em conclusão, foi realmente observado que a configuração do instrumento psicológico em um software de computador otimiza a coleta de dados, pois há maior precisão na medição das latências de resposta, além de facilitar a análise dos dados.

O Paradigma de Stroop nos estudos brasileiros: uma revisão de escopo / The Stroop Paradigm in Brazilian studies: a scope review / El Paradigma de Stroop en los estudios brasileños: una revisión del alcance

O paradigma do Stroop é amplamente utilizado na avaliação das funções executivas. Este estudo investigou o uso de tarefas baseadas no paradigma de Stroop em estudos nacionais publicados entre 2000 e 2022, por meio de uma revisão de escopo. Buscaram-se estudos empíricos nas bases de dados: Pubmed, Scielo Brazil, LILACS, Pepsic, Index Psi Periódicos, Index-Psi teses, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) e Portal CAPES de Teses e Dissertações. Do montante inicial de 1448 estudos, 147 foram selecionados (90 teses/dissertações e 57 artigos). A maioria dos artigos foi publicada em revistas de psicologia e psiquiatria, e o controle inibitório foi o constructo mais mencionado como alvo das tarefas. Quatro versões foram identificadas, sendo a mais utilizada o Stroop de cores e palavras clássico (124 estudos). Diferentes escores/índices foram relatados. Houve poucos estudos psicométricos e com normas das tarefas. Versões computadorizas ainda são pouco utilizadas. A revisão colabora para mapeamento das versões utilizadas no âmbito nacional.

The Stroop paradigm is widely used in the executive functions assessment. This study investigated the use of tasks based on the Stroop paradigm in national studies published between 2000 and 2022, by doing a scope review. Empirical studies were selected in the following databases: Pubmed, Scielo Brazil, LILACS, Pepsic, Index Psi Periódicos, Index-Psi teses, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) and Portal CAPES de Teses e Dissertações. From the initial 1448 studies found, 147 were selected (90 theses/dissertations and 57 articles). Most articles were published in psychology and psychiatry journals, and the construct most targeted by the tasks was inhibitory control. Four versions were identified, and the classic Stroop Color and Word test was the most used one (124 studies). Different scores were reported. There were few psychometric studies and few studies with task norms. Computerized versions are still little used. The review helps to outline the versions used at the national context.

El paradigma de Stroop se usa ampliamente en la evaluación de las funciones ejecutivas. Este estudio investigó el uso de tareas basadas en esto paradigma en estudios nacionales publicados entre 2000 y 2022, haciendo una revisión de alcance. Los estudios empíricos fueron seleccionados en las bases de datos: Pubmed, Scielo Brasil, LILACS, Pepsic, Index Psi Periódicos, Index-Psi teses, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) y el Portal CAPES de Teses e Dissertações. De los 1448 estudios iniciales encontrados, se seleccionaron 147 (90 tesis / disertaciones y 57 artículos). La mayoría de los artículos se publicaron en revistas de psicología y psiquiatría, y el constructo más citado de las tareas fue el control inhibitorio. Se identificaron cuatro versiones, siendo la prueba clásica Stroop Colores y Palavras la más utilizada (124 estudios). Se informaron diferentes puntuaciones. Hubo pocos estudios psicométricos y pocos estudios con normas de tareas. Las versiones computarizadas todavía se utilizan poco. La revisión ayuda a identificar las versiones utilizadas a nivel nacional.

Acute exercise modulates the mental stress-induced responses in healthy and obese young adults / O exercício agudo modula as respostas induzidas pelo estresse mental em adultos jovens saudáveis e obesos

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify whether obesity and acute physical exercise could influence the reactivity to mental stress. Twelve normal weight (NW) and ten obese (Ob) (31.82% women), normotensive individuals between 18 and 40 years old were evaluated. The Stroop color test was performed under two conditions: 1) Baseline and 2) 30 min after the end of aerobic physical exercise. Individuals performed 30 min of physical exercise (NW: 3.38 and Ob: 2.99 km·h-1; p< 0.05) between 50-60% of heart rate reserve (NW: 139±7 and Ob: 143±7 bpm). The reactivity to mental stress for systolic blood pressure - SBP (Δ2 min) and diastolic blood pressure - DBP (Δ2 and Δ4 min) was lower (p< 0.05) in Ob compared to NW group. The SBP reactivity to mental stress was less (p< 0.05) post-exercise in all moments (Δ2 and Δ4 min), regardless of obesity, while the DBP reactivity to mental stress was less post-exercise, only in NW. BP reactivity to stress correlated negatively with obesity indicators (r/Rho = - 0.42 to - 0.64), under the baseline condition, but not post-physical exercise. Obesity blunted BP reactivity to mental stress in normotensive young adults. Moderately-intensity acute aerobic exercise reduced SBP reactivity to mental stress, regardless of obesity, while it reduced DBP reactivity to mental stress, only in NW. In summary, acute physical exercise may be a one means to prevent cardiovascular changes.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se a obesidade e o exercício físico agudo podem influenciar a reatividade ao estresse mental. Foram avaliados 12 indivíduos eutróficos (E) e dez obesos (Ob) (31,82% mulheres), normotensos entre 18 e 40 anos. O teste de cor Stroop foi realizado em duas condições: 1) Linha de base e 2) 30 min após o término do exercício físico aeróbio. Os indivíduos realizaram 30 min de exercício físico (E: 3,38 e Ob: 2,99 km•h-1; p<0,05) entre 50-60% da frequência cardíaca de reserva (E 139±7 e Ob: 143±7 bpm). A reatividade ao estresse mental para pressão arterial sistólica - PAS (Δ2 min) e pressão arterial diastólica - PAD (Δ2 e Δ4 min) foi menor (p< 0,05) no grupo Ob comparado ao grupo E. A reatividade da PAS ao estresse mental foi menor (p< 0,05) pós-exercício em todos os momentos (Δ2 e Δ4 min), independente da obesidade, enquanto a reatividade da PAD ao estresse mental foi menor pós-exercício, apenas no E. A reatividade da PA ao estresse correlacionou-se negativamente com os indicadores de obesidade (r/Rho = - 0,42 a - 0,64), na condição basal, mas não pós-exercício físico. A obesidade embotou a reatividade da PA ao estresse mental em adultos jovens normotensos. O exercício aeróbico agudo de ientesidade moderada reduziu a reatividade da PAS ao estresse mental, independentemente da obesidade, enquanto reduziu a reatividade da PAD ao estresse mental, apenas no E. Em resumo, o exercício físico agudo pode ser um meio de prevenir alterações cardiovasculares.

White matter hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging among elderly depressed patients and its association with the severity of depression and cognition

Introduction: Depression in the elderly can have a different pathophysiology and clinical profile, and studies have shown pathological changes in the brain on radio imaging. The present study aimed to find out the association of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the severity of illness and cognition in elderly depressed patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 68 elderly (>60 years of age) depressed patients who had undergone MRI at a tertiary care center, and based on the severity of WMH, they were divided into two groups: no or slight WMH group and moderate or severe WMH group. The severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scale, and neuropsychological assessments were made for testing attention, concentration and executive function. Results: HAM?D scores were found significantly higher in patients with moderate?to?severe WMH groups (22.6 ± 5.2) compared to those with no or slight WMH (16.3 ± 4.2). The cognitive performance evaluated by backward digit span test, Trail making Test A and B, and Color Stroop test was significantly poor in the moderate?to?severe WMH group. Conclusion: Elderly depressed patients having a greater WMH had more severe depression and poor cognitive performance, especially psychomotor and executive functioning. WMH could be a potential marker for the severity of illness and cognition in depression in elderly persons.

Implicación de la inhibición cognitiva en el gasto financiero en jóvenes de México. Estudio preliminar en neuroeconomía / Involvement of cognitive inhibition in financial spending in young people of Mexico. Preliminary study in Neuroeconomics

Resumen La psicología y las neurociencias ofrecen nuevas perspectivas para comprender el comportamiento económico y del consumidor. La neuroeconomía provee un nuevo marco de referencia para comprender la forma en la que las estructuras neuroanatómicas del cerebro se encuentran implicadas en las decisiones financieras de los individuos. En este contexto, el objetivo de la investigación es identificar la asociación entre la inhibición cognitiva y la cantidad de dinero que gastan los universitarios. Participaron 40 jóvenes universitarios, 47.5 % hombres y 52.5 % mujeres, entre 18 y 25 años, de la Ciudad de Querétaro, México. La inhibición cognitiva se evaluó con el Test de Stroop. Además, se preguntó sobre datos sociodemográficos y los gastos mensuales. Los resultados muestran descriptivamente el nivel de gasto de los jóvenes y las puntuaciones del efecto Stroop. Los jóvenes tienen puntuaciones medias en Palabra, Color, Palabra - Color e Interferencia, acorde a los parámetros establecidos. Respecto al gasto mensual se observa que, en promedio, gastan $ 666 pesos mexicanos (34.04 USD / 31.13 EUR). Adicionalmente, se encontró un déficit en el control inhibitorio relacionado con un aumento en el nivel de gasto realizado por los estudiantes universitarios, es decir, aquellos que gastan y compran, en mayor medida presentan dificultades en su inhibición cognitiva (autocontrol). El control inhibitorio se asoció con la edad y esta, a su vez, con el nivel de dinero gastado. Por último, se profundiza en la utilidad de los resultados dentro de la neuroeconomía en México y demás países latinoamericanos, así como su aporte como línea de investigación.

Abstract Psychology and neuroscience offer new perspectives to understand consumer and economic behaviour. Neuroeconomics provides a new frame of reference to understand the way in which the neuroanatomical structures of the brain are involved in the financial decisions of people. Currently, measurement scales are an application alternative to assess people's executive functions and cognitive inhibition quickly. In the present study for the evaluation of cognitive inhibition we will use the Stroop Test (Golden, 1994), which examines the cognitive processes associated with cognitive flexibility; the interference resistance from external stimuli and its effect on behaviour. The plates that make up the Stroop test present different possibilities for analysis and interpretation. Within neuroeconomics, there is an area that investigates how cognitive and affective regulation is critical to achieve economic results, in addition to investigating the problems caused by consumption and spending that people have in their daily lives. There is research shown that individuals who make compulsive purchases show cognitive deficiencies and difficulties in inhibiting their responses. Furthermore, compulsive purchases correlate with financial executive functioning, particularly with impulse control, organization and planning, showing that compulsive purchases are not limited only to impulse control. In Latin America and particularly in Mexico, there are few studies on neuroeconomics or consumer neuroscience, so consider that this research is an innovative contribution to the subject in our region. In this context, the objective of the research is to identify the association between cognitive inhibition and the money university students spend. This research evaluated the association between cognitive inhibition and the money university students spend. A total of 40 university students participated, 47.5 % men and 52.5 % women, between 18 and 25 years, from the City of Querétaro, Mexico. Cognitive inhibition was evaluated with the Stroop Test. In addition, sociodemographic data and monthly expenses were asked. The results descriptively detailed the level of youth spending and the Stroop effect variables. Young people have mean scores in Word, Colour, Word - Colour and Interference, according to the established parameters. Regarding monthly expenses, it is observed that on average they spend $ 666 Mexican pesos (34.04 USD / 31.13 EUR). In addition, a deficit was found in the inhibitory control related to an increase in the level of expenditure made by university students, that is, those who spend and buy more have difficulties in their cognitive inhibition (self-control). Inhibitory control is associated with age and this time with the level of money spent. Additionally, the inhibition processes allows us to assume certain activity in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFC), while they are ready to spend and who has problems with the control of their money, they cannot realize the excessive expenses that it does not recognize the symptoms that drive it to compulsive buying. The findings provide evidence to the neuroeconomy, as well as to the posture of cognitive control. Furthermore, it is corroborated that performance tests are an alternative in the detection of executive functioning deficiencies in a short time of application and provide evidence in the approach to neuroeconomics through this form of measurement. This offers a novel vision to understand the personal finances of Mexicans and their economic behaviour. Financial and consumer behaviour has become our main line of research from a neuroeconomic perspective; in the future, we intend to continue this study by incorporating affective and neurobehavioral factors involved in financial decisions in young people of our country. Finally, the usefulness of the results within the neuroeconomics in Mexico and Latin America is deepened, as well as its contribution as a line of research.

Differences in emotional conflict and cognitive fusion among patients with major depressive disorder with high and low suicidal ideation / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To compare the differences of emotional conflict and cognitive fusion between depression patients with high and low suicidal ideation.Methods:Beck scale for suicide ideation-Chinese version(BSI-CV), Hamilton depression scale-17(HAMD-17), Beck depression inventory (BDI) and cognitive fusion questionnaire (CFQ) were used for evaluation.The 2×2×2 word-face Stroop task hybrid experimental design was used to compare the response time and accuracy of emotional face judgment in patients with depression with high suicidal ideation( n=22) and patients with depression with low suicidal ideation( n=22) using two-factor repeated measure ANOVA.BSI-CV scores of the two groups( n=44) were used as the dependent variable, and the reaction time of happy face, angry face, consistent face, inconsistent face, BDI score and CFQ score were used as independent variables to perform multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. Results:Both high and low suicidal ideation depression patients had emotional conflict effect in the word-face Stroop task, that was, compared with the face word inconsistent condition, the participants in the face word consistent condition had shorter response time ((707.19±128.79)ms vs (793.55±148.33)ms, F(1, 41)=11.38, P<0.01, ηp2 =0.217)and higher accuracy(95.85±4.50)%, (84.77±11.54)%, ( F(1, 41) =6.06, P<0.05, ηp2 =0.129). Under the condition of consistent face words, the response time of depression patients with high suicidal ideation was longer than that of depression patients with low suicidal ideation((803.69±91.35) ms, (610.69±78.13)ms, P<0.01). The main effect of facial expression type was not statistically significant between the two groups, that was, depression patients with high and low suicidal ideation did not show attentional bias to happy faces or angry faces( F(1, 41) =0.68, P=0.413, ηp2 =0.016). Regression analysis results showed depression score, cognitive fusion score, and reaction time of inconsistent face had positively predictive effects on BSI-CV score( β=0.40, 0.29, 0.29, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The cognitive fusion degree of the depression patients with high suicidal ideation is different from that of the depression patients with low suicidal ideation, but there is no difference in the emotion recognition. Reaction time of inconsistent face, cognitive fusion score and depression score have positively predictive effects on suicidal ideation.

Characteristics of attentional bias in Wilson disease patients with different levels of state-trait anxiety / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of attention bias in Wilson disease(WD) patients with different levels of state-trait anxiety.Methods:The emotional Stroop paradigm and the state-trait anxiety inventory(STAI) were used to evaluate the anxiety level and the characteristics of attention bias in 49 inpatients with WD.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Independent sample t-test was used for comparison between the two groups.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluated the influencing factors of attentional bias response time. Results:(1) In WD patients, the response times measured under the positive, negative and neutral words in the high trait anxiety group((867.0±172.1)ms, (877.0±167.7)ms, (898.4±169.8)ms, respectively) were significantly higher than the low trait anxiety group((771.9±128.9)ms, (770.9±110.4)ms, (778.4±120.1)ms, respectively) and the differences were statistically significant( t=-2.183, -2.605, -2.847, all P<0.05). The response times under the positive, negative and neutral word measured in the high state anxiety group((866.9±171.9)ms, (867.8±173.8)ms, (889.8±173.5)ms, respectively) were higher than those of the low state anxiety group((771.9±129.2)ms, (780.4±109.3)ms, (787.3±123.0)ms, respectively) and the differences were statistically significant( t=-2.177, -2.116, -2.378, all P<0.05). (2) Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the total score of trait anxiety ( B=4.584, 4.671, 5.376, P=0.020, 0.015, 0.008) and age ( B=9.314, 7.864, 7.505, P=0.002, 0.008, 0.014) were the influencing factors of response times measured under the positive, negative and neutral emotion words. Conclusion:Anxiety will lead patients with WD to show more negative attention bias, and trait anxiety can significantly predict the characteristics of attention bias.

Value of Stroop test in the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the value of Stroop test, a neuropsychological test, in the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Methods A total of 96 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, from August 2020 to March 2021 were enrolled, and the number connection test-A (NCT-A), digit symbol test (DST), animal naming test (ANT), and Stroop test were performed for all patients. Test results were recorded and related clinical data were collected. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the value of Stroop test in the diagnosis of MHE, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation of the results of Stroop test with those of NCT-A, DST, and ANT. Results For the 96 patients with liver cirrhosis, the prevalence rate of MHE was 30.21% (29/96). The Off+On time of Stroop test had a cut-off value of 212.49 s in the diagnosis of MHE, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.845, a sensitivity of 93.10%, and a specificity of 64.20%. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the On+Off time and On time of Stroop test were moderately correlated with NCT-A( r =0.580 and 0.590, both P < 0.01), the Off time of Stroop test was strongly correlated with NCT-A( r =0.620, P < 0.01), and the On+Off time, On time, and Off time of Stroop test were strongly correlated with DST( r =-0.650, -0.650, and -0.630, all P < 0.01). Conclusion In the diagnosis of MHE, Stroop test is a highly sensitive method with easy-to-read results and a high diagnostic value and does not require professional equipment.

Advances in the application of Stroop test in minimal hepatic encephalopathy / 临床肝胆病杂志

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) is an early stage of hepatic encephalopathy with an insidious onset and a high rate of missed diagnosis in clinical practice, and it is of great importance to diagnose MHE as early as possible and provide effective clinical intervention. There are many diagnostic methods for MHE, among which psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score is the most commonly used method at present, but its wide application in clinical practice is limited by its complex and time-consuming operation, and therefore, it is urgent to find a simple, rapid, and effective clinical diagnostic method. Stroop test is a test for psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility, and its value in the diagnosis of MHE has been verified in various countries including the United States and South Korea. This article introduces the development of Stroop test and its application in MHE, and the analysis shows that Stroop test based on mobile devices has a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of MHE and is simple, convenient, and feasible. It is hoped that this test can be widely used in the clinical work of MHE screening in China in the future.

Factors affecting executive function performance of Brazilian elderly in the Stroop test

Aging is related to a decrease in physiological abilities, especially cognitive functions. To unravel further evidence of age-related cognitive decline, we analyzed which physical and functional variables are predictors of cognitive performance in a sample of 498 Brazilian elderly (67.26% women). To do so, we used the Stroop test as a tool to evaluate executive functions and the General functional fitness index (GFFI) to evaluate the functional fitness of the participants. A linear regression analysis revealed that female sex (β=-0.097; t=-2.286; P=0.023), younger age (β=0.205; t=4.606; P<0.0001), more years of education (β=-0.280; t=-6.358; P<0.0001), and higher GFFI (β=-0.101; t=-2.347; P<0.02) were predictors of better cognitive performance. Body mass index (kg/m2) and nutritional status (underweight, eutrophic, overweight, or obese) were not predictors of cognitive performance. Interestingly, among the GFFI tasks, muscle strength influenced the test execution time, both in upper and lower limbs (elbow flexion: β=-0.201; t=-4.672; P<0.0001; sit-to-stand: β=-0.125; t=-2.580; P<0.01). Our findings showed that: 1) women performed the Stroop test faster than men; 2) the older the person, the lower was the cognitive performance; 3) the higher the education, the better the test execution time; and 4) higher scores in the GFFI were associated with a better performance in the Stroop test. Therefore, gender, age, education, and functional fitness and capacity were predictors of cognitive performance in the elderly.

Inhibitory control after aerobic exercise with and without blood flow restriction in older adults / Controle inibitório após exercícios aeróbicos com e sem restrição do fluxo sanguíneo em idosos / Control inhibitorio después del ejercicio aeróbico con y sin restricción del flujo sanguíneo en adultos mayores

Introduction: Regular aerobic exercise (AE) can reduce the cognitive losses typically experienced with aging can be blunted by regular aerobic exercise (AE). AE also induces acute improvement of cognitive function among older adults; and AE practice with blood flow restriction (BFR) addss other benefits to elderly health, such as improvements in aerobic fitness, and increase in muscle mass and strength, however, it is not clear which EA protocol is more efficient to cognitive function. Objectives: Thus, the aimof this study was to compare AE protocols with and without BFR on the inhibitory control of the elderly. Methodology: Twenty-one elderly performed the Stroop test before and after three AE sessions in a repeated measure, cross-over design: AE with high load (70% VO2max), AE with low load (40% VO2max), and AE with blood flow restriction (AE-BFR) BFR (40% VO2max and 50% of BFR). Results and discussion: There was no significant effect from experimental sessions on cognitive function, assessed by inhibitory control in Stroop test. Perhaps, the load applied was not proper to stimulate cognitive function improvements, as seen the moderate loads have been more efficient to increase cerebral blood flow, among other physiological mechanisms encompassed. Final Considerations: Moreover, we observed very heterogeneous responses among individuals and sessions, suggesting that future research also considers biological individuality.

Introdução: As perdas cognitivas tipicamente experimentadas com o envelhecimento podem ser atenuadas por exercícios aeróbicos (EA) regulares. EA também induz melhora aguda da função cognitiva em idosos; e a prática de EA com restrição de fluxo sanguíneo (RFS) agrega outros benefícios à saúde do idoso, como melhorias na aptidão aeróbia e aumento da massa e força muscular. No entanto, não está claro qual protocolo de EA é mais eficaz para a funcao cognitiva. Objetivos: Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar diferentes protocolos de EA com e sem RFS no controle inibitório de idosos. Metodologia: Vinte e um idosos realizaram o teste de Stroop antes e após três sessões de EA em medida repetida, desenho cruzado: EA com alta carga (70% VO2máx), EA com baixa carga (40% VO2máx) e EA com RFS (40% VO2máx e 50% do RFS). Resultados e discussão: Não houve efeito significativo das sessões experimentais na função cognitiva avaliada pelo controle inibitório no Stroop Test. Talvez, as cargas aplicadas não tenham sido adequadas para estimular melhorias no controle inibitório, visto que as cargas moderadas têm sido mais eficientes para aumentar o fluxo sanguíneo cerebral, entre outros mecanismos fisiológicos Considerações Finais: Além disso, observamos respostas bastante heterogêneas entre indivíduos e sessões, sugerindo que pesquisas futuras considere também a individualidade biológica.

Introducción: El ejercicio aeróbico regular (EA) puede reducir la perdida cognitiva tipicamente experimentada durante el envejecimiento. EA puede tambien inducir mejora en la funcion cognitiva entre adultos mayores, ademas, la practica de resticcion de flujo sanguíneo (RFS) agrega otros beneficios para la salud en los ancianos, así como mejoras en la aptitud aeróbica, aumento de la masa muscular y la fuerza, sin embargo, no está claro qué protocolo de EA es más eficiente para la función cognitiva. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los protocolos de EA con y sin RFS en el control inhibitorio de los ancianos. Metodología: Veintiún ancianos realizaron la prueba de Stroop antes y después de tres sesiones de EA en medida repetida, diseño cruzado: EA con carga alta (70% VO2max), EA con carga baja (40% VO2max) y EA con restricción del flujo sanguíneo (EA-RFS) RFS (40% VO2max y 50% de RFS). Resultados y discusión: No hubo efecto significativo de las sesiones experimentales sobre la función cognitiva, evaluada por el control inhibitorio en la prueba de Stroop. Quizás, la carga aplicada no fue la adecuada para estimular mejoras en la función cognitiva, ya que las cargas moderadas han sido más eficientes para aumentar el flujo sanguíneo cerebral, entre otros mecanismos fisiológicos englobados. Consideraciones finales: Además, nosotros observamos respuestas muy heterogéneas entre individuos y sesiones, lo que sugiere que para futuras investigaciones también se debe considerar la variabilidad biológica.

Cognitive processing characteristics of depression in emotional Stroop and memory recognition / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the cognitive processing characteristics of semantic emotion Stroop and memory recognition in pilots with depression, and to systematically reveal the cognitive processing characteristics of attention and memory.Methods:The semantic emotional Stroop task and memory recognition test were performed in 36 depressed pilots and 36 healthy pilots.The results of attention and memory in cognitive processing were analyzed by repeated measurement analysis of variance using SPSS 18.0 software.Results:In the semantic emotion Stroop, the response time of the depression group was longer than that of the control group ( F(1, 70)=7.03, P=0.008), and the response time of the depression group(579.55±141.62)ms ) was longer than that of the neutral words (565.66±132.60)ms, P=0.003) and positive words (563.09±138.88)ms, P<0.01). In memory recognition, the accuracy of response to emotion words in the depressed group was higher than that in the control group ( F(1, 70)=23.15, P<0.01). The accuracy of response to negative words was higher in the depressed group than that to positive words ((0.50±0.32) vs (0.32±0.21), P=0.006) and neutral words ((0.50±0.32) vs (0.33±0.23), P=0.007). The depression group showed a conservative bias towards negative words ((1.46±0.40), P<0.01), and negative words compared with neutral words ((0.63±0.24), P<0.01) and positive words ((0.57±0.27), P<0.01) were cautious and conservative. Conclusion:Patients with depression have attention bias toward the negative information in semantic information processing, and negative memory bias in memory recognition.

Correlating cognition and cortical excitability with pain in fibromyalgia: a case control study

Abstract Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal symptoms, primarily attributed to sensitization of somatosensory system carrying pain. Few reports have investigated the impact of fibromyalgia symptoms on cognition, corticomotor excitability, sleepiness, and the sleep quality — all of which can deteriorate the quality of life in fibromyalgia. However, the existing reports are underpowered and have conflicting directions of findings, limiting their generalizability. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare measures of cognition, corticomotor excitability, sleepiness, and sleep quality using standardized instruments in the recruited patients of fibromyalgia with pain-free controls. Methods: Diagnosed cases of fibromyalgia were recruited from the Rheumatology department for the cross-sectional, case-control study. Cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination, Stroop color-word task), corticomotor excitability (Resting motor threshold, Motor evoked potential amplitude), daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index) were studied according to the standard procedure. Results: Thirty-four patients of fibromyalgia and 30 pain-free controls were recruited for the study. Patients of fibromyalgia showed decreased cognitive scores (p = 0.05), lowered accuracy in Stroop color-word task (for color: 0.02, for word: 0.01), and prolonged reaction time (< 0.01, < 0.01). Excessive daytime sleepiness in patients were found (< 0.01) and worsened sleep quality (< 0.01) were found. Parameters of corticomotor excitability were comparable between patients of fibromyalgia and pain-free controls. Conclusions: Patients of fibromyalgia made more errors, had significantly increased reaction time for cognitive tasks, marked daytime sleepiness, and impaired quality of sleep. Future treatment strategies may include cognitive deficits and sleep disturbances as an integral part of fibromyalgia management.(AU)

Uso do Stroop EncephalApp para o screening de encefalopatia hepática mínima em pacientes cirróticos no sul do Brasil / Use of the stroop encephalapp for covert hepatic encephalopathy screening in cirrhotic patients in southern brazil

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is difficult to detect due to the lack of easily applicable screening tools. The Stroop EncephalApp is a smartphone application already validated for CHE screening. However, its applicability to the Brazilian population is not known. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of CHE and evaluate the use of Stroop EncephalApp in a cirrhotic population in Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 99 patients previously diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in a Private Hospital in Curitiba/PR. Patients were initially submitted to the mini mental state examination (MMSE) to exclude individuals with dementia. After, the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) test was performed and lastly, the Stroop EncephalApp test. Results were adjusted for age, sex and education levels to evaluate the accuracy of the app on detecting the disease, comparing its results with the gold standard method (PHES). Patients with one or more of the following were excluded: dementia, inadequate MMSE score, illiteracy, color blindness, history of drugs/alcohol abuse within the past 3 months and previous or actual episodes of encephalopathy. The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 2.0 and the significance adopted by 5%. RESULTS: We included 82 individuals in the final analysis. Among these patients, 29 were diagnosed with CHE by the PHES test (35.36% prevalence) and 28 of those obtained equal diagnosis by the Stroop EncephalApp (96.6% sensitivity). A total of 53 patients obtained negative results for CHE by PHES, while the Stroop test classified 27 of them as having the disease. In the multivariate analysis, high levels of education were associated with better performance during the tests. No significant relationship was observed between age and sex with the probability of diagnosing CHE through the PHES test.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A encefalopatia hepática mínima (EHM) é uma complicação neuro-psiquiátrica da cirrose cuja detecção é dificultada pela falta de ferramentas práticas. O Stroop EncephalApp é um aplicativo de smartphones capaz de detectar a doença, entretanto sua aplicabilidade na população brasileira ainda não é conhecida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso do Stroop EncephalApp para diagnóstico e avaliação de EHM em uma população de pacientes cirróticos no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Através de um estudo observacional transversal, 99 indivíduos sabidamente cirróticos foram recrutados do ambulatório de hepatologia de um hospital privado em Curitiba/PR. Primeiramente, foram aplicados o mini exame do estado mental (MEEM) para excluir indivíduos com demência; após, foram aplicados o Escore Psicométrico da Encefalopatia Hepática (PHES), atual padrão-ouro para diagnóstico de EHM, e posteriormente o Stroop EncephalApp, ajustando para idade, sexo e anos de formação acadêmica, buscando avaliar a eficiência do aplicativo em detectar a doença e comparar seus resultados com o atual padrão-ouro. Foram excluídos do estudo indivíduos com demência, pontuação insuficiente no MEEM, analfabetos, daltônicos, e com histórico de abuso de álcool/drogas ilícitas nos últimos 3 meses e paciente com episódios prévios ou atuais de encefalopatia hepática. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo SPSS 2.0 e a significância adotada em 5%. RESULTADOS: Um total de 82 indivíduos foram incluídos na análise final. Destes, 29 foram diagnosticados com EHM (35,36% de prevalência) através do PHES e 28 obtiveram o mesmo resultado após a aplicação do Stroop (96,6% de sensibilidade). Cinquenta e três pacientes obtiveram um resultado negativo para EHM através do PHES, sendo que 27 desses obtiveram um resultado positivo para EHM através do Stroop. Na análise multivariada, níveis elevados de escolaridade estiveram associados com melhor desempenho durante a execução dos testes. Não houve associação significativa entre idade e sexo com a probabilidade de apresentar encefalopatia através do PHES. CONCLUSÃO: O Stroop EncephalApp é uma ferramenta viável e com boa sensibilidade para o screening de EHM, mas possui baixa especificidade na população estudada.

The impact of multitasking on visual processing speed, cognitive inhibition, executive function, and short-term memory

Background: The simultaneous usage of cell phone while driving and reading has become ubiquitous phenomenon which can have detrimental effects. Objective: We evaluated the effect of simultaneous cell phone conversation on multiple cognitive domains using standard battery of cognitive tests. Materials and Methods: Apparently healthy participants (age 18–25 years) who had no cognitive, visual, motor, and hearing impairments were recruited. They performed visual reaction time (VRT), Go-No-Go (GNG) task, Stroop’s task, and N-back test either during a cell phone conversation or without it, in a randomized crossover trial. The difference in latency was analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Ranked test among the paired data which were not normally distributed, while paired t-test was used for the normally distributed data. McNemar test was used to find the accuracy of the responses for all the four tasks. Results: The latency of the VRT, GNG, and Stoop’s test significantly increased while using the cell phone compared to without using a cell phone (P < 0.001). N-back test had a similar trend though not statistically significant. Accuracy reduced during the cell phone conversation in VRT (P < 0.004), Stroop’s test (P < 0.001), and N-back test (P < 0.013). GNG did not show a statistically significant reduction in accuracy. Conclusions: There is reduction in specific cognitive abilities (both in latency and accuracy) during multitasking, for instance, reaction time and executive function while conversing through a mobile phone.

Control de la interferencia en el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH): revisión / Interference Control in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Review

Resumen Introducción: Investigaciones sobre el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) han evidenciado alteraciones en los procesos inhibitorios, en especial en el control de la interferencia, lo que explicaría las dificultades de los niños con TDAH para inhibir estímulos distractores y controlar su comportamiento. Objetivo: Identificar la literatura científica disponible sobre el desempeño en tareas que evalúan el control de la interferencia en niños con TDAH. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos científicos en las bases de datos de Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Sciencie con los términos ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Interference Control, Stroop y Flanker, publicados entre los años 2010 y 2017. Se identificaron 520 artículos, después de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se seleccionaron 33 para hacer el análisis descriptivo. Resultados: El control de la interferencia se ve afectado en niños con TDAH, evidenciado en mayores tiempos de reacción, de ejecución, variabilidad de respuesta y porcentaje de errores, principalmente en los ensayos incongruentes. Igualmente, se mostraron patrones de activación cortical alterados y variaciones en potenciales evocados cognitivos. Conclusiones: El control de la interferencia se encuentra alterado en niños con TDAH, y el uso de más de un método de evaluación de los niños con este Trastorno puede ser útil para brindar más información del funcionamiento en el control de la interferencia en términos de tiempo y precisión en las tareas.

Abstract Introduction: Research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has shown alterations in interference control, which would explain the difficulties of children with ADHD to inhibit distracting stimuli and regulate their behavior. Objective: identifying available scientific literature about performance on task that evaluate the interference control in children with ADHD. Method: a search on Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases with the terms ADHD, interference control, Stroop and Flanker, published between 2010 and 2017 was performed. 520 articles were identified, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria 33 articles were selected for descriptive analysis. Results: interference control is affected in children with ADHD, evidenced in greater reaction and execution times, variability of response and a high errors rate, primarily in incongruent trials. Altered cortical activation patterns and variations in cognitive evoked potentials were also shown. Conclusions: Interference control is altered in children with ADHD, the use of more than one evaluation method may be useful to provide more information on the functioning of interference control in terms of time and accuracy on tasks.

Response inhibition and emotional responding in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To characterize the traits of neuropsychological functioning deficits in patients with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with comorbid disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders (DICCD).@*METHODS@#Twenty out-patients with ADHD, 20 with ADHD with comorbid DICCD, and 20 with DICCD, all aged 6-16 years, were enrolled in this study, with 20 healthy subjects matched for age, gender and IQ serving as the healthy controls. The patients were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Revision (DSM-5). All the subjects were assessed with Golden Stroop test and emotional Stroop test to evaluate their response inhibition and emotional responding.@*RESULTS@#In Golden Stroop test, the interference scores (IGs) of errors and reaction time both differed significantly among the groups ( < 0.05), and were the highest in patients with ADHD only. In emotional Stroop test, the mean reaction time (MRT) showed significant differences among the groups ( < 0.05); the MRT of positive- congruent trials in ADHD with comorbid DICCD group was shorter than that in ADHD group but longer than that in group DICCD; the MRT in the 3 case groups were all longer than that in the control group. The MRT of both positive-incongruent trials and negative-congruent trials in ADHD with comorbid DICCD group and DICCD group was shorter than that in ADHD group but longer than that in the control group. The MRT of negative- incongruent trials in DICCD group was shorter than that in ADHD group and ADHD with comorbid DICCD group but longer than that in the control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The response inhibition deficit and abnormal emotional responding are the core symptoms of ADHD. Bias emotional stimuli may render response inhibitory dysfunction in patients with DICCD with callous-unemotional traits of emotional responding disorder, especially in dealing with negative emotional trials, while the comorbidity of ADHD and DICCD tends to have the emotional response trait of DICCD.

Physical education class can improve acute inhibitory control in elementary school students

Abstract Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of a based-team sports physical education class on inhibitory control of elementary school children. Methods: Were selected 29 elementary school students (13 boys and 16 girls; 10.7 ± 0.7 years old; 43.2 ± 8.2 kg weight; 147 ± 5 cm height). Participants were submitted to a 50-minute sports-based physical education class performed at moderate intensity. Inhibitory control was measured before and immediately after the end of the physical education class by the Stroop Test. Results: Results indicate that the variables derived from Stroop Test performance overall reaction time were significantly reduced after the physical education class (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a 50-minute sports-based physical education class performed at moderate intensity elicited a significant improvement on the inhibitory control elementary school students.

Practical value of Stroop task of symptomatic words and identity-related words for screening executive dysfunction in schizophrenia / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the practical value of Stroop task of symptomatic words and identity-related words for screening executive dysfunction in schizophrenia.Methods Sixty-five patients with schizophrenia in clinical remission and sixty-two healthy controls were recruited in this trial.Patients and controls completed the Stroop task of symptomatic words and identity-related words.Analyze and compare the difference of reaction time between the two groups on the two stroop paradigms and further analyze the degree of discrimination of the two stroop paradigme.Results The reaction time of schizophrenic patients was longer than that of healthy controls in both symptom-word Stroop task ((1 206.65 ± 476.39)ms vs (916.01 ± 395.85) ms,t =6.46,P＜ 0.001),and identity-word Stroop task ((1 256.22 ± 630.18) ms vs (927.85 ± 419.98) ms,t=6.01,P＜0.01).The sensitivity and specificity were obtained by Receiver Operating Characteristic curves in symptom-word Stroop task (89％ and 57％,respectively) and identity-word Stroop task (81％ and 66％,respectively).Conclusion Symptom-word Stroop task and identity-word Stroop task showed moderate diagnostic value for the identification executive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia.

Influência do nível de atividade física sobre o desempenho cognitivo no teste de Stroop / Influence of the physical activity level on cognitive performance in the Stroop test

Introdução: O teste de Stroop é comumente utilizado para avaliar a flexibilidade cognitiva e função executiva. O teste mostrou correlacionar-se com variáveis como idade, nível educacional e atividade física, porém, pouco se sabe sobre as variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho no teste em populações previamente ativas. Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho no teste de Stroop em população fisicamente ativa. Métodos: 89 estudantes foram recrutados, os mesmos tiveram seus níveis de atividade física avaliado por questionário e composição corporal avaliada por bioimpedância. Resultado: Observamos que as variáveis relacionadas à prática de atividade física não apresentaram correlação com o teste de Stroop. Foi identificado correlação do teste com as variáveis peso corporal e índice de massa corporal (IMC), sendo que maiores valores de peso e IMC resultaram em melhor desempenho no teste. Conclusão: Para indivíduos fisicamente ativos, outros fatores parecem ser preponderantes à atividade física com relação ao desempenho no teste de Stroop.

Introduction: The Stroop test is commonly used to assess cognitive flexibility and executive function. The test was correlated with variables such as age, educational level and physical activity, but little is known about variables related to performance in this test in previously active populations. Objective: To evaluate Stroop performance in a physically active population. Methods: 89 recruited students had their physical activity levels assessed by questionnaire and body composition evaluated by bioimpedance. Result: We observed that variables related to the physical activity level did not present correlation with the Stroop test. Was identified correlation of the test with the variables body weight and body mass index (BMI), being that higher values of weight and BMI resulted in better Stroop performance. Conclusion: For physical active individuals, other factors may be preponderant to physical activity in relation to Stroop performance.