Browsing by Subject "Executive function"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    A Meta-analytic Study on Executive Function Performance in Children/Adolescents with OCD
    (Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de Publicaciones, 2022) López Hernández, Paloma; Sánchez Meca, Julio; Rosa Alcázar, Ángel; Rosa Alcázar, Ana Isabel
    The main objective of this work was to carry out a meta-analytical study to examine performance in executive functions in children/adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Method: A comprehensive literature search from 1984 to September 2021 was con-ducted, selecting a total of 20 published studies comparing executive func-tion outcomes among a group of children and/or adolescents with OCD and a healthy control group. Results: Results showed that the total score on the quality scale of studies ranged between 3 and 8.5 points (on a scale of 0 to 9), with a mean of 6.6. The effect sizes in the different executive func-tions were as follows: Inhibition (d+ = -0.221), Cognitive flexibility (d+ = -0.418), Decision making (d+ = -0.169) and Planning (d+ = -0.319), indicat-ing a lower performance in the OCD groups compared to the healthy con-trol groups. Results were clinically significant in all domains except deci-sion making. Publication bias could only be carried out in flexibility and re-sponse inhibition. Conclusions: OCD patients presented worse executive performance than healthy controls in all functions, highlighting cognitive flexibility and planning. However, results should be interpreted with cau-tion due to the small sample size.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Cognitive training therapy improves the effect of hypocaloric treatment on subjects with overweight/obesity: a randomised clinical trial
    (MDPI, 2019-04-24) Galindo Muñoz, Joaquín S.; Morillas Ruiz, Juana María; Díaz Soler, Inmaculada; Barberá Ortega, María del Carmen; Hernández Morante, Juan José; Martínez Cáceres, Carlos Manuel; Gómez Gallego, María; Atención Sociosanitaria
    Abstract: Obesity has been associated with impaired cognitive performance. This study aimed to determine whether improvements in cognitive function may contribute to higher weight loss in patients with obesity. In this randomised, 12-week trial, participants with overweight/obesity were randomised into a cognitive training intervention (Cognitive) group or a cognitive-behavioural (Control) group. In addition, both groups followed a hypocaloric dietary treatment. Cognitive functioning measurements and anthropometrical parameters were evaluated. All cognitive measures improved in the intervention group (p < 0.005 in all contrasts). In controls, significant improvements in attention, flexibility and task planning were also observed. Regarding anthropometrical parameters, the effect of the intervention in the cognitive group was higher for the total percentage of weight loss, body mass index (BMI), body fat and waist circumference. Biochemical parameters improved in both groups. Attending to our data, cognitive training was more effective that the hypocaloric intervention alone, partly related to an improvement in the working memory. Despite the shortage of training interventions for executive functions in the context of weight control, this type of combined intervention could establish the first steps towards a more appropriate intervention for patients with obesity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Diferencias en el funcionamiento ejecutivo en boxeadores universitarios amateurs con distintos niveles de experiencia y categoría de peso
    (Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de publicaciones, 2023) Guzmán, Jorge; Villalva, Fernando; Bernal, Jorge; Guerrero, Vicente
    El boxeo es un deporte popular que implica golpes repetitivos a la cabeza, los cuales podrían producir alteraciones en el funcionamiento cerebral. Aunque existe evidencia del daño cerebral causado por la práctica del boxeo a nivel profesional, permanece la controversia sobre los posibles riesgos en el boxeo aficionado. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar si existen diferencias en el funcionamiento ejecutivo en boxeadores universitarios amateursen función de su nivel de experiencia en la práctica deportiva y su interacción con la categoría/peso. Método: Participaron 24 boxeadores mexicanos amateurs agrupados en novatos y experimentados y por su categoría de peso en ligero y medio. Se utilizó la Batería Neuropsicológica de Funciones Ejecutivas y Lóbulos Frontales BANFE-2 (Flores-Lázaro et al., 2014). Resultados: se realizó un MANOVA, los contrastes multivariados indican que hay diferencias en la interacción de las variables dependientes, de acuerdo con el nivel de experiencia F(4,17) = 3.75, p= .023, ηp2= .469, 1-β=.56. En particular, las tareas en que se observan diferencias significativas son aquellas que evalúan el control inhibitorio (stroop) y la toma de decisiones de riesgo beneficio (juego de cartas), procesos que se encuentran asociados al funcionamiento de la corteza prefrontal orbito medial. Los hallazgos sugieren que la evaluación del funcionamiento ejecutivo puede ser una herramienta útil para evidenciar cambios funcionales en boxeadores amateur
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Response inhibition, cognitive flexibility and working memory in obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder
    (MDPI, 2021) Rosa-Alcázar, Ana Isabel; Rosa-Alcázar, Ángel; Martínez-Esparza, Inmaculada C.; Storch, Eric A.; Olivares-Olivares, Pablo J.; Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológicos
    Abstract: This study analyzed response inhibition, cognitive flexibility and working memory in three groups of patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, considering some variables that may influence results (nonverbal reasoning, comorbidity, use of pharmacotherapy). Neuropsychological measures were completed using a computerized Wisconsin card sorting test, Stroop color word test, go/no-go task, digits and Corsi. Significant differences were obtained among groups in cognitive flexibility and working memory variables. The obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) group showed the worst results. The social anxiety disorder group obtained greater effect sizes in visuospatial memory. However, significant differences between groups in visuospatial memory were no longer present when nonverbal reasoning was controlled. Comorbidity influenced interference in the OCD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) groups. In addition, the executive functions were differently influenced by the level of obsessions and anxiety, and the use of pharmacotherapy. Study limitations include a non-random selection of participants, modest sample size and design type (cross-sectional). The OCD group showed the worst results in flexibility cognitive and verbal working memory. Comorbidity, use of pharmacotherapy and level anxiety and obsessions were variables influencing the performance of executive functions.