Analysis of stress, attention, interest, and engagement in onsite and online higher education: A neurotechnological study

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo registrar y analizar, mediante el uso de neurotecnología, en un contexto formativo universitario presencial y online, el efecto que tiene en variables relevantes en el proceso de aprendizaje, lo cual supone una innovación en la literatura. En este estudio se ha empleado tecnología de neurociencia para medir el procesamiento cognitivo de los estímulos diseñados para una experiencia académica de una clase de máster universitario. Las neurotecnologías empleadas han sido la respuesta galvánica de la piel (GSR), la electroencefalografía (EEG) y el seguimiento ocular. Tras el análisis de los registros cerebrales, basados en la atención, interés, estrés y conexión emocional (engagement), en un contexto educativo presencial y su análisis comparativo con el seguimiento online, los resultados indicaron que los niveles de intensidad emocional de los alumnos que siguieron la clase de forma presencial son más elevados que aquellos que asistieron de forma online. A su vez, los valores de actividad cerebral positiva (atención, interés y engagement) son superiores en el grupo de asistencia presencial, siendo la variable negativa estrés también superior, pudiendo justificarse debido a que los alumnos conectados online no activaban la cámara. Los registros cerebrales de los alumnos que asisten a distancia muestran menor interés y atención, así como una menor intensidad emocional, por lo que el aprendizaje a distancia (online) es menos efectivo, a efectos de señales cerebrales, que la enseñanza en el aula, para una clase teórica de máster universitario.Alternate :The aim of this work is to register and analyse, using neurotechnology, in onsite onsite and online university educational context, the effect on relevant variables in the learning process. This represents an innovation in the current academic literature in this field. In this study, neuroscience technology has been used to measure the cognitive processing of stimuli designed for an academic experience in a university master's degree class. The neurotechnologies employed were galvanic skin response (GSR), electroencephalography (EEG) and eye tracking. After the analysis of the brain recordings, based on attention, interest, stress and engagement in an onsite educational context and their comparative analysis with the online monitoring, the results indicated that the levels of emotional intensity of the students who followed the class in person were higher than those who attended online. At the same time, the values of positive brain activity (attention, interest and engagement) were higher in the onsite group, and the negative variable stress was also higher, which could be explained by the fact that the online students did not activate the camera. The brain recordings of students who were distance learning show less interest and attention, as well as less emotional intensity, demonstrating that distance (online) learning is less effective than classroom learning, in terms of brain signals, for a theoretical university master's degree class.

Evaluation of a Virtual Dance Class for Cancer Patients and Their Partners during the Corona Pandemic-A Real-World Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: During the corona pandemic, all courses on physical activity for cancer patients were canceled. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of switching dancing classes for patients and their partners to online classes. METHODS: Patients and partners from courses at four different locations who consented to the online course offer were asked to fill in a pseudonymous questionnaire on access to the training, technical challenges, acceptance and well-being (1-item visual analog scale from 1 to 10) before and after the training. RESULTS: Sixty-five participants returned the questionnaire (39 patients and 23 partners). Fifty-eight (89.2%) had danced before, and forty-eight (73.8%) had visited at least one course of ballroom dancing for cancer patients before. The first access to the online platform was difficult for 39 participants (60%). Most participants (57; 87.7%) enjoyed the online classes, but 53 (81.5%) rated them as less fun than the real classes as direct contact was missing. Well-being increased significantly after the lesson and remained improved for several days. CONCLUSION: Transforming a dancing class is feasible for participants with digital experience and goes along with technical difficulties. It is a substitute for real classes if mandatory and improves well-being.

A virtual dance sport class for cancer patients: the trainer perspective.

PURPOSE: Due to the corona, pandemic classes with physical activity for cancer patients were postponed. For an ongoing program with ballroom dancing classes for patients and their partners, the training was switched to a digital format. METHODS: We evaluated the training by structured written interviews of the trainers including an open report part concerning the development and realization of the project, the teaching and training concept and their experiences as trainers. RESULTS: 5 trainers reported data from 6 different classes including 65 participants. All in all, digital dance training is feasible and a substantial part of the participants of former face-to-face training took part. Yet, digital training imposes some restrictions to the movements taught and the interactions with and between the participants. Trainers have to invest time in a new conception of the training and additional time in guiding participants with lower experience in technical issues. CONCLUSION: Participants in virtual training rooms need more support and social interactions in digital training are less and different from ballroom lessons and trainers which puts more strain on trainers to motivate cancer patients.

How Are You Feeling? Interpretation of Emotions through Facial Expressions of People Wearing Different Personal Protective Equipment: An Observational Study.

(1) Background: The perception of others' emotions based on non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, is fundamental for interpersonal communication and mutual support. Using personal protection equipment (PPE) in a work environment during the SAR-CoV-2 pandemic challenged health professionals' ability to recognise emotions and expressions while wearing PPE. The working hypothesis of this study was that the increased limitation of facial visibility, due to the use of a personal protective device, would interfere with the perception of basic emotions in the participants. (2) Methods: Through a cross-sectional descriptive study, the present research aimed to analyse the identification of four basic emotions (happiness; sadness; fear/surprise; and disgust/anger) through three types of PPE (FFP2 respirator, protective overall and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)), by using 32 photographs. The study was conducted using volunteer participants who met the inclusion criteria (individuals older than 13 without cognitive limitations). Participants had to recognise the emotions of actors in photographs that were randomly displayed in an online form. (3) Results: In general, the 690 participants better recognised happiness and fear, independently of the PPE utilised. Women could better identify different emotions, along with university graduates and young and middle-aged adults. Emotional identification was at its worst when the participants wore protective overalls (5.42 ± 1.22), followed by the PAPR (5.83 ± 1.38); the best scores were obtained using the FFP2 masks (6.57 ± 1.20). Sadness was the least recognised emotion, regardless of age. (4) Conclusions: The personal protective devices interfere in the recognition of emotions, with the protective overalls having the greatest impact, and the FFP2 mask the least. The emotions that were best recognised were happiness and fear/surprise, while the least recognised emotion was sadness. Women were better at identifying emotions, as well as participants with higher education, and young and middle-aged adults.

Covid-19 Vaccination Improved Psychological Distress (Anxiety and Depression Scores) in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS To our knowledge, the psychological impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination has not yet been evaluated for the general population nor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The purpose of the study is to analyse the impact of vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on anxiety and depression scores in patients with different modalities of CKD. METHOD A total of 117 renal patients (50 haemodialysis patients, 13 peritoneal dialysis patients, 32 kidney transplants and 22 advanced CKD patients at pre-dialysis care) were evaluated for depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and perceived fears and resources with standardized (The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale;HADS) and self-reported questionnaires. The measure points were before vaccination and 15 days after vaccination. RESULTS The main finding of the study is that there is a decrease in the global mean of normal scores for anxiety and depression symptoms in CKD patients, post-vaccination. We did not find statistically significant differences in depression or anxiety scores, nor HRQOL differences between the treatment groups. The three main fears reported by the participants at baseline were those of adverse effects, not getting the vaccine and lack of information. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the potential interest of assessing psychological variables related to the impact of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. New studies will be required to assess the impact of comprehensive vaccine coverage and its psychological impact.

Clinical characteristics and respiratory care in hospitalized vaccinated SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Background: The main objective of the present study was to analyze both clinical characteristics and evolution during hospitalization of a cohort of patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia who were not vaccinated, or with a complete or incomplete vaccination schedule. Methods: This COVID-19 specialized single-center cohort study of 1888 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the "Enfermera Isabel Zendal" Emergencies Hospital (HEEIZ), Madrid (Spain) was performed between July 1 and September 30, 2021. It compared the results of 1327 hospitalized unvaccinated patients to 209 hospitalized fully vaccinated and 352 hospitalized partially vaccinated patients. The four different COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Spain during the time-period studied were: BNT162b2 (Pfizer); ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca), mRNA-1273 (Moderna); Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen). Findings: Hospitalized patients' median age was 41 years (IQR 33-50) for the unvaccinated and 61 years (IQR 53-67) for the fully vaccinated ones. The main comorbidities were obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. 20% of unvaccinated patients (266) required noninvasive respiratory care, as did 14% (51) of partially and 14% (30) of fully vaccinated; 6% (78) of the unvaccinated patients also needed invasive respiratory care, as did 5% (16) of partially and 11 (5%) fully vaccinated. Interpretation: Fully vaccinated patients were 84% (95% CI: 82-86%) less likely to be admitted to hospital, and protection rose for those aged <50 years. Once hospitalized, vaccinated patients displayed more protection against requiring respiratory care than unvaccinated ones, despite being older and having more comorbidities. No differences appeared for the four studied COVID-19 vaccines and complying with vaccination recommendations proved relevant. Funding: The research was funded by the "Plan Propio de Investigación" Program of the Castilla-La Mancha University /European Regional Development Fund (2021-GRIN-31,039).

Endoscopic endonasal surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: Management guideline.

Current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is challenging medical and surgical activities. Specifically, within neurosurgery, endoscopic endonasal approaches pose a high risk of contagion for healthcare personnel involved in it. Initially, the recommendation was to avoid such surgeries. However, the pandemic has dragged on and new solutions must be proposed to continue carrying out these approaches safely. Given the lack of established protocols, we propose the following one, which concisely establishes the measures to be taken in both urgent and scheduled surgery. In addition, a new protection-aspiration device (Maskpirator) is described.

[Endoscopic endonasal surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: Management guideline]. / Cirugía endoscópica endonasal durante la pandemia COVID-19: protocolo de actuación.

Current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is challenging medical and surgical activities. Specifically, within neurosurgery, endoscopic endonasal approaches pose a high risk of contagion for healthcare personnel involved in it. Initially, the recommendation was to avoid such surgeries. However, the pandemic has dragged on and new solutions must be proposed to continue carrying out these approaches safely. Given the lack of established protocols, we propose the following one, which concisely establishes the measures to be taken in both urgent and scheduled surgery. In addition, a new protection-aspiration device (Maskpirator) is described.

Clinical Characteristics, Frailty, and Mortality of Residents With COVID-19 in Nursing Homes of a Region of Madrid.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics, 30-day mortality, and associated factors of patients living in nursing homes (NH) with COVID-19, from March 20 to June 1, 2020. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. A geriatric hospital-based team acted as a consultant and coordinated the care of older people living in NHs from the hospital. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 630 patients aged 70 and older with Coronavirus Disease 2019 COVID-19 living in 55 NHs. METHODS: A logistic regression was performed to analyze the factors associated with mortality. In addition, Kaplan-Meier curves were applied according to mortality and its associated factors using the log-rank Mantel-Cox test. RESULTS: The diagnosis of COVID-19 was mainly made by clinical compatibility (N = 430). Median age was 87 years, 64.6% were women and 45.9% were transferred to be cared for at the hospital. A total of 282 patients died (44.7%) within the 30 days of first attention by the team. A severe form of COVID-19 occurred in 473 patients, and the most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (n = 332) and altered level of consciousness (n = 301). According to multiple logistic regression, male sex (P = .019), the Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) ≥6 (P = .004), dementia (P = .012), dyspnea (P < .001), and having a severe form of COVID-19 (P = .001), were associated with mortality, whereas age and care setting were not. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Mortality of the residents living in NHs with COVID-19 was almost 45%. The altered level of consciousness as an atypical presentation of COVID-19 should be considered in this population. A severe form of the disease, present in more than three-quarters of patients, was associated with mortality, apart from the male sex, CFS ≥6, dementia, and dyspnea, whereas age and care setting were not. These findings may also help to recognize patients in which the Advance Care Planning process is especially urgent to assist in the decisions about their care.