Integrated Development Environment for EEG-Driven Cognitive-Neuropsychological Research

To systematically evaluate the application of near-infrared spectroscopy technology in the study of the effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function in elderly people. Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science core database, ScienceDirect, Wanfang, VIP, and CNKI from 2014 to June 2023, and relevant data were extracted. A total of 1 valid literature was obtained, published in 2022, sourced from the medical journal FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, with an impact factor of 6.46. This journal belongs to JCR Q1 area, and the SCI basic version of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is in the Q3 area of medicine. The inclusion criteria for the subjects of this study were age 60 years, experience of Baduanjin exercise for 3 years, and MMSE score 24 points. This study, based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology, explores the effects of Baduanjin imagery and Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function in elderly people. Baduanjin exercise can increase brain connectivity, improve brain structural connections, and enhance brain function in elderly people. These three factors are also the main reasons for Baduanjin exercise to promote the improvement of cognitive function, including increasing brain gray matter volume, brain functional area connections, etc. Baduanjin exercise can improve specific cognitive functions by increasing gray matter volume. Baduanjin exercise can regulate the functional connections of the cognitive control network in elderly people and improve their memory.

Objectives: Elderly people are more prone to decline in cognitive functions, This study was amied to observe the effect of mindfulness meditation on the attention and executive functions in elderly people. Methods: In this case control study 100 elderly people (>60 year old) were randomly divided into study (meditating) group (n=50) and control (non-meditating) group (n=50). Meditation group did mindfulness meditation for 45day (half an hour/day, for 6 days in a week). Before and after the study period attention and executive function of both groups were assessed by Trail making test(TMT) type ‘A ‘and type ‘B’. Statistical analysis was done by using independent and paired student’s t test. P value ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Between both the groups, there were no significant different in the baseline scores for TMT type A (p value =0.06) and type B (p value = 0.91.After study period, significant improvement were noticed in the scores of TMT type ‘A’ scores (p =0 .036) and type ‘B’ scores (p =0.002) for the study group. On the other hand there were no significant variations in the TMT type A (P = 0.663) and type B (p= .239) scores of control group. Conclusions: This study showed that, mindfulness meditation practice has positive effect on the attention and executive functions in elderly people. Regular mindfulness meditation may improve the quality of life.

Prefrontal cortical lobe function is related to social behavior in humans. We investigated whether performance on tests of prefrontal cortical function was associated with social vulnerability. Associations with non-frontal cognitive function were investigated for comparison. 1216 participants aged 70+ of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging-2 screening examination, who also underwent detailed neuropsychological testing, comprised the study sample. Performance on WAIS-R abstraction, WAIS-R comprehension, Trails B, FAS and category verbal fluency, Block construction, Token Test and Wechsler Memory Scale Information Subset was tested in relation to the participant's level of social vulnerability using regression models adjusted for age, education, sex, frailty, MMSE score, diagnosis of depression, and use of psychoactive medications. Social vulnerability was measured by an index comprising many social problems or "deficits". The most socially vulnerable group had worse performance on FAS verbal fluency, generating 4.1 fewer words (95% CI: 1.8-6.4, p<0.001) than those in the least socially vulnerable group; those with intermediate social vulnerability generated 2.6 fewer words (95% CI: 0.4-4.8, p = 0.02). Social vulnerability was also associated, though less strongly, with category verbal fluency. The most socially vulnerable people had impaired performance on the Trails B, taking 37 seconds longer (95% CI: 11-63, p = 0.005). These results were independent of age, education, sex, frailty, MMSE score, depression, and psychoactive medications. Social vulnerability was not associated with performance on WAIS-R abstraction, WAIS-R comprehension, Block Design, Token Test or Wechsler Memory Scale tests. High social vulnerability was associated with impaired performance on verbal fluency and set shifting but not with common sense judgment, abstraction, long-term memory, constructional ability, or language comprehension. The association between social functioning and the cognitive functions subserved by prefrontal cortex warrants further study.

This study aims at evaluating the association between subjective well-being (SWB) and oral functions in elderly people. Materials and Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a private dental college of central part of India. A study was carried out with a structured questionnaire on 200 individuals aged above 60 years. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, oral function, habits, and general health. The SWB scale was used to tabulate the results. Results: A total of 200 people, comprising 67% and females 33% who were in the age group of 60–80 years, were covered in this research. The demographic profiles taken in the above study were age, gender, occupation, and monthly income. It was found that there is an association of SWB with health in the previous year (0.047). Thirty-nine percent of the persons had good health and 9.5% had altered health condition. In case of smoking as a habit, 43% of the people never smoked and the remaining had the habit (P = 0.012). Dental caries was found to be associated with SWB (0.001), 48% of the people had no caries, and the rest 52% had no caries. In case of loss of taste, 71.5% had no change in taste sensations, whereas 28.5% had altered taste sensations (P = 0.005). Twenty-eight percent of the people experienced burning sensation in the mouth and the remaining 72% had no complaints (P = 0.000). Conclusion: It was found that poor oral functions such as loss of teeth and other oral conditions such as burning mouth and loss of taste caused psychological and social disturbances in elderly people.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks Pilates exercises on functional and cognitive performance in elderly people which are living in an elderly care center. Forty three elderly were randomly allocated either to Pilates group (PG, n= 21; mean age, 72.8 ± 7.84 years), which performed three session of Pilates per week for 12 weeks, or to control group (CG, n= 22; mean age, 77.7 ± 7.25 years), which no performed any exercise is except from daily works. Participants tested to handgrip strength, Berg balance scale, Functional reach test and Mini Mental State Examination Test before and after the 12 weeks of exercise. Finally, PG demonstrated improvement in all variables. However, CG has no improvement any variables. Pilates exercises led to significant improvement in functional and cognitive performance. Therefore, elderly people can apply a well-structured Pilates exercise program under Pilates instructor and physiotherapist.

Journal Article Thyroid function in elderly people one year after introduction of iodized salt prophylaxis Get access H Schambach, H Schambach Klinik Innere Medizin, Bezirkskrankenhaus Karl-Marx-Stadt, German Democratic Republic Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar C Goetze, C Goetze Klinik Innere Medizin, Bezirkskrankenhaus Karl-Marx-Stadt, German Democratic Republic Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar I Keil, I Keil Klinik Innere Medizin, Bezirkskrankenhaus Karl-Marx-Stadt, German Democratic Republic Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar H Carlsohn, H Carlsohn Klinik für Radiologie, Bezirkskrankenhaus Karl-Marx-Stadt, German Democratic Republic Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar K Bauch K Bauch Fr.-Schiller-Universität Jena; I. Klinik für Innere Medizin, Bezirkskrankenhaus Karl-Marx-Stadt, German Democratic Republic Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Acta Endocrinologica (Norway), Volume 120, Issue 3_Supplement, Jun 1989, Page S26, https://doi.org/10.1530/acta.0.120S026 Published: 01 June 1989

Background: Decreased cognitive function is one of the impacts of the aging process in the elderly, which begins with a decrease in memory. This can also have an impact on the decline in the ability to speak, understand space, and the ability to judge and pay attention will result in inhibition of long-term memory and information processing in the elderly. If not treated properly, the decline in cognitive function can lead to dementia which results in decreased intellectual function and memory. Brain Gym is a collection of movement exercises that increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, and stimulate the right and left brain to improve concentration and memory. Objectives: To determine the effect of Brain Gym on improving cognitive function in elderly people at risk of dementia at PSTW Budi Mulia 1. Methods: This study used a pre-experimental method with a one group pre-test and post-test approach. A total of 18 people who have met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Measuring instrument used MMSE. Results: Of all the research objects, the average result of cognitive function before intervention was 17.94 and after intervention 24.72. Hypothesis testing shows there is an effect of Brain Gym on improving cognitive function. Conclusion: Brain Gym has an effect on improving cognitive function in elderly people with dementia risk at Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 1. Keywords: Cognitive function, Elderly, Elderly at Risk of Dementia, Brain Gym

Early detection is important for delaying or preventing cognitive impairment. Since olfactory dysfunction and depression are common symptoms of cognitive dysfunction, they may serve as measurable risk indicators. This study was designed to identify the relationship between olfaction, depression, and each domain of cognitive function in elderly dementia patients in South Korea. Study participants were 108 patients who visited the outpatient clinic between March and September 2019. More significant impairment of olfactory function was found in those with mild (7.48 ± 1.28) or moderate (7.37 ± 2.22) test scores of the Expanded Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale than in those with questionable scores (20.58 ± 6.18). The language domain of cognitive function, age, and education level showed 39.2% explanatory power for olfactory function (F = 5.591, p < 0.001). It is expected that assessment of olfactory function in elderly people can lead to the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia. Furthermore, it is important for future studies to confirm the relationship between each domain of cognitive function and olfactory function according to the type of dementia and to establish criteria for screening dementia in order to utilize olfactory function as a clinical marker.

In clinical practice, occupational therapists identify characteristics or demands of a task and, to improve coordination or problem solving ability, grade it along the complexity dimension. Effects of increased complexity of functional tasks have not been studied to date. The purpose of this study was to continue to examine the characteristics of occupation by testing the effect of task complexity on motor performance in elderly people. A counterbalanced repeated-measures design was used. Twenty-eight elderly people without motor problems (9 men, 19 women) performed checker game moves ranging from one to four steps. Only the first segment of movement from start position to the first designated place was kinematically analyzed and compared among the four conditions because it has been shown in earlier studies that differences in strategy are apparent from the first segment. Generally, the more complex moves elicited higher peak velocity (indicating greater force employed, F[3,72] = 3.45, p = .0210) and more movement units (indicating a less smooth and less efficient movement, F[3,72] = 4.71, p = .0047) than a simple move. The results indicate that in this study, task complexity affects forcefulness and smoothness of motor performance, supporting the practice of activity analysis and gradation along the complexity dimension in occupational therapy. When treating elderly people in clinics, therapists may increase the number of steps within a task to facilitate the force embedded in movement, or decrease the number of steps to facilitate smooth and economical movement.

Background: Thoracic hyperkyphosis is one of the common conditions that cause balance and walking impairments in the elderly. The use of Spinomed orthosis is an effective treatment approach for hyperkyphosis, but unfortunately, there is little evidence to support its effect on the balance and walking parameters of elderly people with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Aim: This study was planned to investigate the effect of the Spinomed orthosis on balance and walking parameters comprehensively. Method: Thirty-four volunteer elderly people with thoracic kyphosis greater than 40° were recruited for this study. All participants were asked to wear the Spinomed orthosis for 1.5 h to get used to them. Postural stability, limits of stability, and modified-Clinical Test of Sensory Organization were assessed using Biodex Balance System while walking parameters were assessed using the G-Walk system with and without orthosis. Results: There was a significant improvement in all balance parameters with Spinomed orthosis (p

Aging is a physiological process that may develop long without manifestations of comorbidities. In the meantime a high proportion of elderly people very often experience limitations in daily life due to impairments in memory and other cognitive functions. Non-cognitive neuropsychiatric disorders, most commonly stress-related anxiety disorders, are a major contribution to maladaptation in these patients. The present studies of the neurobiology of aging enable one to decipher not only the mechanisms that underlie the physiology of brain aging, but also the factors that influence cognitive aging and aggravate the manifestations of cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease. The process of brain aging is known to presume the long-term preservation of functional neuroplasticity that is greatly influenced by different lifestyle factors, such as daily social and physical activities, the pattern and amount of food taken, cognitive activity, and stressful life events. These lifestyle factors are supposedly a potent tool to maintain physiological brain aging and a delayed cognitive diminution in elderly people. At the same time, studies of the possibility of pharmacologically correcting age-related (both cognitive and non-cognitive) impairments are promising to improve everyday function in elderly people.

Objective: To correlate muscule performance, body composition, pain and joint function in elderly people with gonarthrosis. Method: 21 elderly patients were submitted to bioelectrical impedance analysis, dynamometry associated with electromyographic (EMG) evaluation of isometric knee extension, in addition to pain assessment by the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale and function assessment, by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis (OA) questionnaire. Correlations were checked by the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The sample characteristics were mean age 67.36 ± 4.21 years old, body fat percentage 40.57±6.15%, total WOMAC score 43.27 ± 16.32%, and maximum strength 19.95 ± 6.99 kgF. Pain during movement showed a statistical association with WOMAC physical activity domain (r = 0.47) and its general score (r = 0.51); pain intensity at night presented association with WOMAC stiffness domain (r = 0.55), in addition to the negative correlation with the slope values of the Medium Frequency of the EMG signal (r = - 0.57). Conclusion: pain intensity is correlated to functional incapacity in elderly people with knee OA and to a greater expression of fatigue in EMG signal. Levels of Evidence III, Study of non consecutive patients

Recent research provides evidence for a functional role of brain oscillations for perception. For example, auditory temporal resolution seems to be linked to individual gamma frequency of auditory cortex. Individual gamma frequency not only correlates with performance in between-channel gap detection tasks but can be modulated via auditory transcranial alternating current stimulation. Modulation of individual gamma frequency is accompanied by an improvement in gap detection performance. Aging changes electrophysiological frequency components and sensory processing mechanisms. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the link between individual gamma frequency and gap detection performance in elderly people using auditory transcranial alternating current stimulation. In a within-subject design, twelve participants were electrically stimulated with two individualized transcranial alternating current stimulation frequencies: 3Hz above their individual gamma frequency (experimental condition) and 4Hz below their individual gamma frequency (control condition), while they were performing a between-channel gap detection task. As expected, individual gamma frequencies correlated significantly with gap detection performance at baseline and in the experimental condition, transcranial alternating current stimulation modulated gap detection performance. In the control condition, stimulation did not modulate gap detection performance. In addition, in elderly, the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation on auditory temporal resolution seems to be dependent on endogenous frequencies in auditory cortex: Elderlies with slower individual gamma frequencies and lower auditory temporal resolution profit from auditory transcranial alternating current stimulation and show increased gap detection performance during stimulation. Our results strongly suggest individualized transcranial alternating current stimulation protocols for successful modulation of performance.

ObjectiveWe examined the benefits of a community‐based program combining physical exercise, cognitive training, and education on dementia and lifestyle habits.MethodsThis crossover open‐label trial included 141 community‐dwelling elderly people with suspected mild cognitive decline (MCD). Subjects were assigned to a 6‐month intervention‐first/6‐month observation‐second (INT‐OBS) group or an OBS‐INT group. The 6‐month intervention consisted of 2 h of physical exercise, cognitive training, and classroom study or rest once weekly. Primary outcome was change in Touch Panel‐type Dementia Assessment Scale (TDAS) score.ResultsTDAS score improved significantly during the intervention period compared with the observation period for all subjects (P < 0.05). Some physical functions also improved significantly during the intervention period compared with the observation period in the OBS‐INT group (P < 0.05).InterpretationThis community‐based program improved both cognitive and physical function in elderly people with suspected MCD.

BackgroundPhysical activity not only is beneficial to a person’s health, but can also have a positive influence on cognitive functioning. However, elderly people with chronic illness(es) often do not meet the physical activity guidelines. Physical activity programs for the elderly exist, but these are often expensive and not easily accessible to the elderly with chronic illness(es). In addition, the beneficial effects of these physical activity programs on cognitive functioning have never been specifically tested in this target group. Hence, this randomized controlled trial aims to test whether Active Plus, a proven effective physical activity intervention, is able to improve the cognitive functioning of elderly people with chronic illness(es) or to slow down cognitive decline. In addition, it studies what kind of activity, intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity most strongly influence cognitive functioning.MethodsA randomized controlled trial is performed, comparing the Active Plus intervention group to a waiting list control group. In total 540 older adults (≥65 years) with at least one chronic illness that limits mobility are recruited from 7 municipalities. Comparable neighborhoods within a municipality are randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. Baseline and follow-up measurements after 6 and 12 months assess cognitive functioning and physical activity behavior, measured both objectively with an accelerometer and subjectively with a self-report questionnaire. Multilevel analyses are conducted to assess effects on cognitive functioning, including analyses on moderation effects for physical activity type, frequency, duration and intensity.DiscussionTo our knowledge this is the first study to investigate effectiveness of a physical activity program on cognitive functioning in elderly people suffering from a broad range of chronic illnesses. If proven effective Active Plus would be a very cost effective intervention not only to increase physical activity, but also to improve cognitive functioning or slow down cognitive decline. Up till now clear evidence is lacking on the kind of physical activity, intensity, duration and frequency needed to achieve cognitive benefits. By measuring both with accelerometers and self-report questionnaires we hope to gain insight in these processes.Trial registrationNederlands Trial Register NL6005; Date of Registration 21-03-2017.