Executive functions scale for university students: UEF-1.

Introduction: Executive functions are a set of mental abilities that allow human beings to consciously regulate their behavior and, in a university setting, will have a significant impact on student success during professional training. Objective: To develop a scale to assess executive functions in a university setting. Method: Using a sample of 1,373 university students from Chile (663) and Ecuador (710) between 17 and 33 years old (Mage = 20.53, SD = 2.34). A study was carried out to analyze the psychometric properties of the instrument using a reliability and validity analysis for a scale that assesses executive functions: conscious monitoring of responsibilities, supervisory attentional system, conscious regulation of behavior, verification of behavior to learn, decision making, conscious regulation of emotions, and management of elements to solve tasks. Results: Adequate internal consistency parameters were found between α = 0.71 and 0.85. The seven executive functions proposed on the scale correlated proportionally between r = 0.42 and 0.62. In the confirmatory factor analysis, good fit indices were obtained in the model of the seven executive functions x2(413) = 1649.14, p = <0.001, CFI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.04 and RMSEA = 0.04. Discussion: The research carried out reaches its conclusion stating that the scale that was developed has the psychometric properties to assess executive functions in the Latin American setting. The results regarding previous research and the contribution made in the line of research of executive functions are discussed.

El rol predictivo de la red neuronal por defecto sobre la atención sostenida en edades escolares: una revisión sistemática

El rol de la Red Neuronal por Defecto en la aparición del trastorno de déficit atencional ha recibido evidencia científica creciente en los últimos 20 años. Este artículo tuvo por objetivo sistematizar la evidencia empírica y cuantitativa disponible en investigaciones sobre el rol de la Red Neuronal por Defecto en la atención sostenida y déficits atencionales en niños y adolescentes de etapa escolar; se usó la metodología de revisión sistemática de la literatura científica disponible entre 2010 y 2020. Se seleccionó una muestra de 13 estudios. Los resultados evidenciaron que la atención sostenida es rítmica y fluctúa junto a la memoria de trabajo. En cuanto a los niños con déficit atencional, se reportan anomalías en la disponibilidad de dopamina, adelgazamientos de las aéreas de la corteza cerebral interconectadas con la Red Neuronal por Defecto, así como hipo e híper conectividad de los tractos de materia blanca asociados a esta red. Estos hallazgos interpretados en su conjunto aportan evidencia valiosa acerca del rol emergente de la Red Neuronal por Defecto en los procesos subyacentes de la atención sostenida y la aparición de déficits atencionales. Estos hallazgos sistematizados pueden tener implicancias profundas en la didáctica y el diseño instruccional debido a que se cuenta con evidencia suficiente y validada como para adaptar las tareas de aprendizaje a los ritmos de atención y descanso puesto que estos obedecen a limitaciones biológicas y no a prescripciones administrativas.

The role of the Default Neural Network in the emergence of attention deficit disorder has received increasing scientific evidence in the last 20 years. This article aimed to systematize the empirical and quantitative evidence available in research on the role of the Default Neural Network in sustained attention and attention deficits in school children and adolescents; The methodology of systematic review of the scientific literature available between 2010 and 2020 was used. A sample of 13 studies was selected. The results showed that sustained attention is rhythmic and fluctuates along with working memory. Regarding children with attention deficit, anomalies in the availability of dopamine, thinning of the areas of the cerebral cortex interconnected with the Neural Network by Default, as well as hypo and hyper connectivity of the white matter tracts associated with this network are reported. These findings, interpreted as a whole, provide valuable evidence about the emerging role of the Default Neural Network in the underlying processes of sustained attention and the appearance of attentional deficits. These systematized findings can have profound implications in didactics and instructional design, due to the fact that there is sufficient and validated evidence to adapt the learning tasks to the rhythms of attention and rest since these processes obbey biological limitations and not to administrative requirements.

Validation of a Self-Perceived Adaptive Behaviors Scale in Older Chilean Women and Percentiles for Evaluation.

Healthy ageing means optimizing opportunities that allow older individuals to participate actively in society without discrimination. Learning adaptive behaviors (AB) may be extremely important for individuals for all stages of life. The goal of this study was: (a) to create a scale for self-perceived adaptive behavior, and (b) propose percentiles for evaluating AB in older adult women. A self-perception scale was created to measure adaptive behavior. Anthropometric and physical fitness variables for 192 older Chilean women (ages 60 to 88) were collected and evaluated. Content validity reflected agreement from 0.75 to 1.0. Construct validity carried out with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) resulted in 11 dimensions with 62 items in groups. Saturation oscillated between 0.62 and 0.85 with the explanation of variation as 46.27%. Cronbach's Alpha was r = 0.83. The results indicated that the scale developed was valid and reliable for the Chilean women studied. This scale may be used to measure self-perception of AB patterns in older women. Furthermore, the percentiles allow for classification of the AB by age and anthropometric indices.

Escala Reducida Para Valorar El Sentido De Coherencia: Soc 15 / Scale Reduced To Value The Sense Of Coherence: Soc 15

Resumen Introducción: El sentido de coherencia es una constructo de la salud que permite al individuo enfrentar las dificultades y situaciones difíciles de la vida. Está configurado por tres factores: significado, comprensión y manejo. Se ha propuesto como método de valoración de este constructo a la escala SOC con 29 ítems. Objetivo: En esta investigación se plantea como objetivo, proponer una escala SOC reducida. Métodos: Se trabajó con una muestra de 445 participantes saludables de Quito-Ecuador, 145 hombres (32.5%) y 300 mujeres (67.4%). Resultados: Se obtuvo que la escala reducida en 15 ítems presenta adecuada consistencia interna en sus tres factores: comprensión α=.74, manejo α=.82 y significado α=.82. En el análisis factorial confirmatorio se encontró un ajuste aceptable del modelo reducido (SOC-15) x 2=317.90, GL=87, p=<.001, CFI=.92, RMSEA=.07 (.06-.08) y SRMR=.04. Conclusiones: Se discuten los datos en relación a los beneficios de contar con una escala reducida para su futuro aplicación en el contexto clínico sanitario y científico.

Abstract Introduction: The sense of coherence is a construct of health that allows the individual to face difficult situations of life. It is configured by three factors: meaning, understanding and management. As a method of assessment of this construct, has been proposed the SOC scale with 29 items in its original version. Objective: The objective of this study is to propose a reduced SOC scale. Methods: We worked with a sample of 445 healthy participants from Quito-Ecuador, 145 men (32.5%) and 300 women (67.4%). Results: It was obtained that the reduced scale of 15 items presents an adequate internal consistency in its three factors: understanding α = .74, management α = .82 and meaning α = .82. In the confirmatory factor analysis, an acceptable adjustment of the reduced model was found (SOC-15) x 2 = 317.90, DF = 87, p = <. 001, CFI = .92, RMSEA = .07 (.06-.08) and SRMR = .04. Conclusions: The data is discussed in relation to the benefits of counting with a reduced scale for its future application in the clinical and health scientific context.

Las Funciones Ejecutivas Del Lóbulo Frontal Y Su Asociación Con El Desempeño Académico De Estudiantes De Nivel Superior / The Executive Functions Of The Frontal Lobe And Its Association With The Academic Performance Of Students In Higher Education

Resumen Introducción: Las funciones ejecutivas (FE) son un conjunto de destrezas mentales asociadas al lóbulo frontal del cerebro humano que permiten regular el comportamiento, metacognición y emociones; ejecutando un control consciente del propio pensamiento. Su desarrollo es progresivo a lo largo del ciclo vital del ser humano, por lo tanto, se ven involucradas en el desarrollo social, emocional y académico de las personas. Existen estudios que afirman que el rendimiento académico se ve influenciado por el nivel de desarrollo de las FE (control inhibitorio, memoria de trabajo, flexibilidad cognitiva, monitorización y autorregulación), cuya relación ha sido progresivamente estudiada en diversos rangos etarios y niveles educativos. Método: El objetivo de la investigación fue definir y explicar las principales FE que influyen en el rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios. Para ello, se aplicó un método de revisión sistemática que permite recopilar las investigaciones que muestran dicha relación. Resultados y conclusiones: Los estudios revisados evidencian que las principal FE involucrada en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes universitarios es la memoria de trabajo y en menor medida, las habilidades de planificación, control inhibitorio y flexibilidad cognitiva. Por último, se discute las limitaciones y proyecciones que permite abordar este estudio; considerando las FE como un factor clave para el éxito académico universitario y la implementación de instancias de apoyos pedagógicos que favorezcan el desarrollo profesional de los estudiantes.

Abstract Introduction: Executive functions (EF) are a set of mental skills that allow to regulate the behavior, metacognition and emotions; executing a conscious control of the own thought. The development is progressive along the vital cycle of the human being, therefore, they meet involved in the social, emotional and academic development of the persons. There exist studies that affirm that the academic performance meets influenced by the level of development of the EF (inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, monitoring and self-regulation) which relation has been progressively studied in diverse ages ranges and educational levels. Method: This article, has the aim to define and explain principal EF that they influence in the academic performance in university students. For it, there was realized a method of systematic review that allows to compile the investigations that affirm the above mentioned relation. Results and Conclusions: The scopes of the studies affirm that the principal EF involved in the academic performance of the university students is the working memory and in minor measure, the skills of planning, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Finally, there are discussed the limitations and projections that this study allows to approach; considering the EF to be a key factor for the academic university success and the implementation of instances of pedagogic supports that should favor the professional development of the students.

Funciones Ejecutivas En Niños Preescolares Con Y Sin Trastorno Del Lenguaje / Executive Functions In Preschool Children With And Without Language Disorders

Resumen Los objetivos de este estudio fueron, comparar las funciones ejecutivas (atención, flexibilidad, control inhibitorio, planificación y memoria de trabajo) de niños preescolares con y sin trastorno del lenguaje y definir un perfil de funciones ejecutivas. El diseño es no experimental con propósitos descriptivos/comparativos. La muestra estuvo conformada por 105 niños. El grupo con trastorno del lenguaje estaba compuesto por 31 niños y 19 niñas, edad promedio 4.68 años, de Escuelas Especiales de Lenguaje. El grupo sin trastorno del lenguaje estaba compuesto por 15 niños y 24 niñas, edad promedio 4.98 años, de Escuelas Públicas de la ciudad de Concepción en Chile. Los resultados muestran que hay evidencia estadísticamente significativa para declarar que los puntajes obtenidos por niños/as con trastorno del lenguaje son inferiores a sus pares sin trastorno del lenguaje en todas las funciones ejecutivas evaluadas, lo que respalda la literatura vigente sobre el tema. En cuanto al perfil de funciones ejecutivas, la función que podría predecir la presencia de trastorno del lenguaje en un preescolar es la función ejecutiva de planificación. Resulta de interés seguir profundizando el perfil de funciones ejecutivas en niños con trastorno del lenguaje y su relación específica con los problemas lingüísticos que estos niños/as presentan.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to compare the executive functions (attention, flexibility, inhibitory control, planning and working memory) of preschool children with and without language disorder and to define a profile of executive functions. The design is non-experimental for descriptive/comparative purposes. The sample consisted of 105 children. The group with language disorder was composed of 31 children and 19 girls, average age 4.68 years, of Special Language Schools. The group without language disorder was composed of 15 children and 24 girls, average age 4.98 years, of Public Schools of the city of Concepcion in Chile. The results show that there is statistically significant evidence to state that the scores obtained by children with language disorders are lower than their peers without language disorder in all the executive functions evaluated, which supports the current literature on the subject. Regarding the profile of executive functions, the function that could predict the presence of language disorder in a preschool is the executive planning function. It is interesting to continue deepening the profile of executive functions in children with language disorder and their specific relationship with the linguistic problems that these children have.

Conceptos Fundamentales En La TeorÌa NeuropsicolÛgica / Fundamental Concepts In The Neuropsychological Theory

Resumen En este artÌculo se presentan tres conceptos que son fundamentales en la formaciÛn teÛrica neuropsicolÛgica: datos histÛricos en el estudio del cerebro humano, evaluaciÛn neuropsicolÛgica de las funciones cerebrales y la rehabilitaciÛn neuropsicolÛgica de las funciones cerebrales. Como datos relevantes en el desarrollo teÛrico del estudio del cerebro humano se hace un recorrido por los actos de trepanaciÛn realizados cientos de aÒos atr·s, los aportes de la frenologÌa, los magistrales hallazgos de Broca y Wernicke, el aporte heurÌstico de Luria y la revoluciÛn actual que se vive con la neuro-imagen. En la evaluaciÛn neuropsicolÛgica de funciones cerebrales se analiza el papel de las pruebas especÌficas, no especÌficas y de observaciÛn diferida en la interpretaciÛn del estado neuropsicolÛgico del ser humano, que permiten analizar las funciones neuropsicolÛgicas en el laboratorio y en las actividades de la vida real. Finalmente, se analiza el proceso de rehabilitaciÛn neuropsicolÛgica de las funciones cerebrales, en donde se hace menciÛn a los procesos de restauraciÛn, compensaciÛn, sustituciÛn, activaciÛn-estimulaciÛn e integraciÛn, que son de gran utilidad al momento de intervenir en un cerebro que ha sufrido un daÒo adquirido. Se concluye que el ritmo acelerado actual ha determinado el avance de la neurociencia, en donde la tecnologÌa y el contundente aporte cientÌfico proponen dÌa a dÌa nuevas tÈcnicas y teorÌas para entender los procesos de evaluaciÛn y rehabilitaciÛn del funcionamiento cerebral.

Abstract This article presents three concepts that are fundamental in the neuropsychological theoretical: historical data in the study of the human brain, neuropsychological evaluation of brain functions and neuropsychological rehabilitation of brain functions. As relevant data in the theoretical development of the study of the human brain is a tour of the trepanation acts performed hundreds of years ago, the contributions of phrenology, the masterful findings of Broca and Wernicke, the heuristic contribution of Luria and the current revolution with neuroimaging. In the neuropsychological evaluation of brain functions the role of specific, non-specific and delayed observation tests in the interpretation of the neuropsychological state of the human being is analyzed, which allow analyzing neuropsychological functions in the laboratory and in real life activities. Finally, we analyze the process of neuropsychological rehabilitation of brain functions, where mention is made of the processes of restoration, compensation, substitution, activation-stimulation and integration, which are very useful when intervening in a brain that has suffered an acquired damage. It is concluded that the current accelerated pace has determined the advance of neuroscience, where technology and the forceful scientific contribution propose new techniques and theories to understand the processes of evaluation and rehabilitation of brain functioning.