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Heikkinen AL, Hänninen T, Kuikka P, Akila R, Savolainen A, Valtonen T, Umer A, Lötjönen J, Hublin C, Remes AM, Paajanen T. The Cognitive Function at Work Questionnaire (CFWQ): A new scale for measuring cognitive complaints in occupational population. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023; 30:649-660. [PMID: 34482772 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2021.1970553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive functioning is a relevant work and health related topic, however, validated methods to assess subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) at work are lacking. We introduce the Cognitive Function at Work Questionnaire (CFWQ) for measuring SCC in occupational settings. 1-year follow-up data of 418 employees from a Finnish public media service company was analyzed. Participants completed web-based CFWQ, cognitive tests and a broad set of questionnaires for evaluating depression, anxiety, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, burnout, stress, mental job burden, work ability, cognitive errors, and perceived health. The factor analysis yielded a model with the CFWQ subdomains: Memory, Language, Executive Function, Speed of Processing, Cognitive Control and Name Memory. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .87) and the test-retest constancy (ICC = .84) reflected good reliability. Correlation between the CFWQ and cognitive errors at work ranged from .25 to .64 indicating adequate concurrent validity. Employees with depression, insomnia and burnout symptoms had higher (p < .001) CFWQ scores than participants without these symptoms. Depression and burnout symptom severity as well as accumulation of mood, sleep, and psychosocial stressors were associated with higher CFWQ scores (p < .001 in all). The CFWQ appears psychometrically sound measure for the assessment of SCC in occupational population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Leena Heikkinen
- Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Work Ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
- MRC, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuomo Hänninen
- Neurology, Neurocenter, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pekka Kuikka
- Work Ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ritva Akila
- Work Ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aslak Savolainen
- Occupational Health Services, Finnish Broadcasting Company, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teppo Valtonen
- Work Ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adil Umer
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Christer Hublin
- Work Ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne M Remes
- Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- MRC, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Teemu Paajanen
- Work Ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Atak S, Boye A, Peciña S, Liu ZX. High-Fat-Sugar Diet is Associated with Impaired Hippocampus-Dependent Memory in Humans. Physiol Behav 2023; 268:114225. [PMID: 37150429 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Overconsumption of high-fat and high-sugar (HFS) diet may affect the hippocampus, and consequently, memory functions. Yet, converging evidence is needed to demonstrate that the type of memory affected by HFS diet consumption is indeed hippocampus dependent. Moreover, the extent to which HFS diet can also affect executive functioning, and indirectly affect memory requires further examination. In this online study, we asked 349 young adults to report their HFS diet consumption and complete a word memory task, the Everyday Memory Questionnaire, and importantly two memory tasks that have been shown to robustly engage the hippocampus, i.e., the Pattern Separation and Associative Memory Tasks. Participants also completed two executive functioning tasks, the Trail Making Task (TMT) and the Stroop Task. These measures assess attention/cognitive flexibility and the ability to inhibit cognitive interference, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, we found that participants who reported higher level consumption of a HFS diet performed worse on the Pattern Separation Task and that higher HFS intake was significantly associated with poorer TMT task performance and longer Stroop average reaction time (RT). TMT and Stroop RT scores indicative of reduced executive function also partially mediated the relationship between HFS diet and memory performance on the pattern separation task. Taken together, our results provide converging evidence that HFS diet may impair hippocampus-dependent memory. HFS diet may also affect executive functioning and indirectly impair memory function. The findings are consistent with human subject and animal studies and call for further investigations on the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying the dietary effects on cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selen Atak
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
| | - Alyssa Boye
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
| | - Susana Peciña
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
| | - Zhong-Xu Liu
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA.
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3
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Dokkedal-Silva V, Oliveira MGM, Galduróz JCF, Tufik S, Andersen ML. The effect of sleep medications on prospective and retrospective memory: a population-based study. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110043. [PMID: 32682875 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sleep medications, especially benzodiazepines, are known to cause motor and cognitive impairments as side-effects from their use. However, an evaluation of the effects of sleep medications in general on prospective and retrospective memory remains to be seen. Thus, the effects of the different types of sleep medicines were assessed using the total score and the 8 subscales of the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) in a representative sample from the Municipality of São Paulo. The effects of each type of medication on these same parameters were evaluated afterwards. Each analysis was performed controlling for different covariates to observe their degree of interference on the observed results. Impairment due to use of sleep aid medication was observed in 6 of the 8 subscales, as well in the overall score of the PRMQ when compared to non-users. Prospective subscales were particularly affected, even when controlling for highly interfering covariates such as depression and anxiety, and objective sleep variables related to sleep architecture and wakefulness in the night. Few effects were detected between the various types of medication even when controlling for covariates, suggesting that a sample with higher power is necessary to conduct a more detailed analysis. Using pharmacological aids to improve sleep may impair prospective and (to some extent) retrospective memory. Therefore, the relationship between sleep impairment, memory deficits and medication use must be considered by physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Dokkedal-Silva
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil
| | - Maria Gabriela Menezes Oliveira
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil
| | - José Carlos Fernandes Galduróz
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil
| | - Sergio Tufik
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil
| | - Monica Levy Andersen
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil.
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Scotta AV, Cortez MV, Miranda AR. Insomnia is associated with worry, cognitive avoidance and low academic engagement in Argentinian university students during the COVID-19 social isolation. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2020; 27:199-214. [PMID: 33382639 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2020.1869796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
An increment in mental health problems related to social isolation strategies was evinced in several populations, however few investigations address this problem in students. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between insomnia, worry, coping strategies, and academic engagement in subjects pursuing a university degree in Argentina during the first month of compulsory social isolation against the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-report online questionnaires were administered to 584 participants: Insomnia Severity Index, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Coping Responses Inventory, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students. Demographic data was recorded. Statistics included bivariate and multivariate techniques. Prevalences of 45% for subthreshold insomnia, 23% for moderate insomnia, and 4% for severe insomnia were found. The severe insomnia group presented higher levels of worry and cognitive avoidance strategies. Insomnia was also associated with daytime concerns. The group without insomnia was more vigorous in their academic engagement. Being physically active was associated with lower sleep problems. Insomnia prevalence is high in socially isolated university students. Cognitive avoidance coping strategies are associated with worry, which leads to an alert state that makes sleep difficult. These findings should be taken into account by academic institutions to define their pedagogic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Veronica Scotta
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Escuela de Fonoaudiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, INICSA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mariela Valentina Cortez
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Escuela de Fonoaudiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, INICSA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Agustín Ramiro Miranda
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Escuela de Fonoaudiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, INICSA, Córdoba, Argentina
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McWhirter L, Ritchie C, Stone J, Carson A. Functional cognitive disorders: a systematic review. Lancet Psychiatry 2020; 7:191-207. [PMID: 31732482 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30405-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive symptoms are common, and yet many who seek help for cognitive symptoms neither have, nor go on to develop, dementia. A proportion of these people are likely to have functional cognitive disorders, a subtype of functional neurological disorders, in which cognitive symptoms are present, associated with distress or disability, but caused by functional alterations rather than degenerative brain disease or another structural lesion. In this Review, we have systematically examined the prevalence and clinical associations of functional cognitive disorders, and related phenotypes, within the wider cognitive disorder literature. Around a quarter of patients presenting to memory clinics received diagnoses that might indicate the presence of functional cognitive disorders, which were associated with affective symptoms, negative self-evaluation, negative illness perceptions, non-progressive symptom trajectories, and linguistic and behavioural differences during clinical interactions. Those with functional cognitive disorder phenotypes are at risk of iatrogenic harm because of misdiagnosis or inaccurate prediction of future decline. Further research is imperative to improve diagnosis and identify effective treatments for functional cognitive disorders, and better understanding these phenotypes will also improve the specificity of diagnoses of prodromal degenerative brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura McWhirter
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Craig Ritchie
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jon Stone
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alan Carson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Castaldelli-Maia JM, Lewis T, Marques Dos Santos N, Picon F, Kadhum M, Farrell SM, Molodynski A, Ventriglio A. Stressors, psychological distress, and mental health problems amongst Brazilian medical students. Int Rev Psychiatry 2019; 31:603-607. [PMID: 31612743 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2019.1669335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In line with studies from around the world, several studies have shown equal or higher rates of anxiety, depression, alcohol and other drug use, and burnout in medical students in Brazil. The aim of the present study was to identify difficulties Brazilian medical students face regarding stressors, psychological distress, and psychiatric morbidity using standardized reliable and valid instruments. In addition, this study also investigated differences associated with sex. Students (n = 129) were asked to complete a one-off survey from January to June 2019, including demographics, previous mental health issues, CAGE, GHQ-12, and OLBI. A higher prevalence of previous mental disorders was found in comparison to during the medical course. This may suggest that perhaps students are under more stress or that they form a more vulnerable sub-population in medical school in comparison with the general population. However, the types of mental disorders before and during the undergraduate course appear to vary. During the course, they show higher levels of anxiety rather than that of depression. Before commencing the course, they showed higher levels of depression rather than anxiety. Cannabis and ecstasy experimentation levels were higher than those of students from other courses in previous studies. The opposite was true for stimulants. Just over a quarter reported alcohol abuse above the CAGE cut-off point. The levels of psychological distress and burnout were extremely high, and women had even higher levels. Male respondents were more likely to have a history of mental ill-health, but female subjects scored higher on burnout. Overall over 80% students reported burnout. These findings are discussed in the context of Brazilian culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
- Department of Neuroscience, ABC Health University Center, Santo André, SP, Brazil.,Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thomas Lewis
- Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | | | - Felipe Picon
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,ADHD Outpatient Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Murtaza Kadhum
- Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School (OUCAGs), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Marie Farrell
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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7
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Bostock R, Kinnison T, May SA. Mindset and its relationship to anxiety in clinical veterinary students. Vet Rec 2018; 183:623. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.104621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tierney Kinnison
- Pathobiology and Population Science; Royal Veterinary College; Hatfield UK
| | - Stephen A May
- Department of Clinical Science and Services; Royal Veterinary College; Hatfield UK
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