bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Executive functions and theory of mind across age: The role of cognitive flexibility in perspective-taking skill
Authors: Galletta D. , Califano A.I. , Santoro A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionResearch has demonstrated that greater cognitive flexibility and perspective taking skills are associated with positive outcomes throughout the lifespan. Cognitive flexibility is a core component of executive function allowing us to control goal-directed behaviour and to face new and unexpected conditions in the environment. Perspective-taking or Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to the capacity to make inferences about and represent others’ point of view, mental states and intentions.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess age-related effects on executive functions and the role of cognitive flexibility in perspective-taking skills.MethodsTwo age groups (34-44 years and 45-55 years) were compared on a task-switching paradigm the MATeM neuropsychological software (Maria Grazia Inzaghi, 2019) and all participants completed the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (Oldfield, 1971), the IRI Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1980), the RMET Reading the Mind in the Eyes (Baron-Cohen, 2001) and the BIDR-6 Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (Paulhus, 1991).Resultssuggested that increased age was associated with decreased set-shifting, perspective-taking, mindreading abilities and increased tendency to give overly positive answers (socially desirable responding). Furthermore, participants with reduced cognitive flexibility (higher switch cost) were less able to attribute mental states to others and to appreciate another person’s point of view.ConclusionsIt can be argued that readiness to appropriately adjust one’s behaviour according to a changing environment is related to flexibly shift between conflicting psychological perspectives. Future research include training studies which would further our understanding of these relationships and allow more effective cognitive and social interventions.
Impact of non-farmacological methods on improvement cognitive function in epilepsy
Authors: Blazhina I. , Korostiy V. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe quality of life of patients with epilepsy, their social activity and functioning depends not only on the presence of epileptic seizures, but also on the level of cognitive decline.ObjectivesThe object of our study is impact of non-pharmacological methods on cognitive functions, decreasing of which deteriorates social activity in patients with epilepsy.MethodsWe have studied the features of clinical and psychopathological manifestations in patients suffering from epilepsy. The study covered 27 patients who were in inpatient care. The following psychodiagnostic techniques were used: the Toronto Cognitive Assessment TorCA, the MOCA and the MiniMult tests, Patient Social Functioning Questionnaire. Currently, a group of patients with cognitive decline cause by epilepsy is undergoing remote cognitive training on one of an online platforms, under our observation. Correction occurs throughout regular daily performance, assessment of cognitive functions is carried out on three indicators: attention, memory and thinkingResultsThe following results of the study were observed: initially decreased memory in 88,8 % patients and the level of cognitive decline were directly proportional to the duration of the illness, this category of patients has reduced activity and limited social contacts.The result of the use of cognitive training is an increase in all three indicators.ConclusionsThe results of the study indicate the need for further study of the features of cognitive disorders in epilepsy and the use of methods of psychotherapeutic correction.
Relationship between cognitive functions and empathy in patients with neurocognitive deficit
Authors: Galletta D. , Lauria I. , Mastrola A.M. , Confuorto M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionEmpathy is a social emotive skill that let to experience the same feelings of another person without being in the same situation. It changes during the growth becoming more over sophisticated with the involving of cognitive functions such as perspective taking (Hoffmann, 2000). Several researches observed a correlation between empathy and psychopathologies that involve cognitive functions such as attention and executive functions (Abdel-Hamid et al., 2019; Blair, 2018; Pijper et al., 2018) or decision-making (Francis et al., 2019).ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of cognitive impairment on different empathy dimensions.Methods80 subjects with severe neurocognitive deficit were examined. WAIS-R, neuropsychological battery and IRI test were performed.ResultsThe impairment of perspective-taking dimension was significantly noticeable (=or<17/30). In addition, impairments of self-regulation process and inner-state monitoring mechanisms were also observed (=or<18/40).ConclusionsAccording to previous researches, this study confirms that empathy can be reduced when cognitive functions are compromised by psychopathologies or other medical conditions. Personal distress and perspective taking are empathy dimensions more affected in these cases.
Profile of patients consulting in child psychiatry for trichotillomania
Authors: Sahnoun M. , Guedria A. , Gaddour N. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionTrichotillomania is a disorder characterized by the compulsive pulling out of one’s own hair. It usually starts just before or after puberty, and about 1 to 2% of people have this disorder. But its incidence is variable over the years and socio-demographic data.ObjectivesDescribe the profile of children and adolescents consulting for trichotillomania.MethodsAn incidence survey was carried out among children and adolescents followed for trichotillomania at the out-patient unit of child psychiatry (Monastir - Tunisia) from January 2003 to September 2020.ResultsAmong the 11000 patients who were followed during the study period, 47 patients presented trichotillomania, corresponding to a rate of 0.42%. Three of them presented with associated trichophagia and two were operated on in pediatric surgery for trichobezoar. A female predominance was noted with a sex-ratio of 0.37. The average age was 9.3 years with extremes ranging from 2 to 15 years. Almost all of the patients were in school. Most of the patients were referred by dermatologists. We retained in these patients: 17% presented an attachment disorder, 14.8% had a depressive disorder, 6.3% had anxiety elements, 6.3% had an intellectual disability, 4.2% had an associated enuresis and one case had a GAD. The treatment was to undergo behavioral measurements or CBT in 91.4%. Pharmacological management was carried out in 46.8% of patients and was mainly based on antidepressants.ConclusionsTrichotillomania is a disorder that can be stressful for patients as well as their families. Better knowledge of the profile of these patients is necessary in order to better therapeutic efficacy.
Psychosis as a symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Report of one case
Authors: Calle-Gonzalez A. , Batet-Sanchez D. , Mata A. Hernández , Gómez A. Sotillos , Zulueta R. Pinilla 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionVitamin B12 deficiency may cause neurological and psychiatric symptoms, especially among elderly patients. Two clinical cases are presented of patients admitted to an Acute Inpatient Psychiatry Unit due to psychotic symptoms, being reported a B12 deficiency.ObjectivesReview clinical information about vitamin B12 deficiency as a factor involved in the development of psychiatric disorders, specifically psychotic symptoms, pointing out the peculiarities regarding clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment management.MethodsSearch in the medical database PUBMED, MEDSCAPE and UPTODATE.ResultsVitamin B12 deficiency is associated with hematological, neuropsychiatric, and digestive disorders, is estimated that around 5-40% of the elderly population may present it. Neuropsychiatric syndromes may be the first, and sometimes sole, manifestation, related to a different etiological mechanism. Vitamine B12 deficiency implies enzymatic defects that cause an accumulation of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, which is proportionally related to the severity of the neuropsychiatric symptoms. The range of clinical features includes psychotic and affective episodes, behavioral disorders, cognitive impairment, along with other neurological manifestations such as polyneuropathy and encephalopathy. The diagnosis delay is crucially important, as early detection could lead to reverse the neuropsychiatric symptoms and some of the neuroradiological alterations. Parenteral and oral vitamin B12 supplementation should be initiated, monitoring levels in plasma, together with psychiatric drugs until the symptoms are controlled.ConclusionsVitamin B12 deficiency is a factor that may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Thus, screening must be considered among the vulnerable population when presenting neuropsychiatric disorders as early diagnosis and treatment are key to clinical prognosis.
Combined exercise programs as protective factor against depression later in life: A systematic review
Authors: Argyropoulos K. , Ntantouti E. , Argyropoulou A. , Avramidis D. , Jelastopulu E. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionExercise has been repeatedly reported as an effective means of preventing and treating mood disorders. Therefore, there is a significant research interest for the way exercise is connected with depression and the effectiveness of different exercise parameters as intensity, duration and modality. There is significant research evidence supporting the hypothesis that exercise can alleviate the symptoms of clinical depression. Nevertheless, there has not enough evidence to compare the effectiveness of deferent types of exercise as complementary therapy in depression.ObjectivesThe purpose of the present study was to review the available research concerning the effect of exercise modality in depression and attempt to code and analyze the programs used in elderly (>65).MethodsA systematic review was contacted of randomized control trials published in electronic journals. The electronic data bases PubMed, EBSCOhost and Trip Medical Database were used.ResultsCombined programs are predominate used for improving mood in elderly and the combinations used more frequently was short-term, light to moderate sub maximal aerobic exercise combined with dynamic resistance exercise following by Short-term, light to moderate sub maximal aerobic exercise combined with static exercise. Other psychosocial factors that commonly included in the combined exercise programs are group interaction, mindfulness and music.ConclusionsCombined exercise programs are as effective as simple programs in alleviated the symptoms of depression in elderly. Their advantages over simple programs are that they can promote other health benefits; they are less time consuming and more pleasurable to participants. Therefore, they are good exercise choice for elderly.
COVID-related confinement experience in people with major neurocognitive disorders and their caregivers in new aquitaine region, France
Authors: Calvet B. 
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 epidemic is an unexpected global event that has shaken up the organisation of care in France. The spread of the epidemic was limited thanks to the confinement of people from Tuesday 17 March 2020 to Monday 11 May 2020. However, this confinement led to a change in the care of vulnerable people, including people suffering from neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). The aim of this study is to question people suffering from NCDs and their family carers about their experiences during the period of confinement introduced in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic and on any physical and/or functional consequences.MethodsAll persons whose memory consultations at CMRR Limoges were cancelled during the period of confinement (17 March to 11 May 2020) were contacted by telephone by the nurses or psychologists at CMRR.ResultsThe experience of the confinement episode as well as the deconfinement are studied. The survey records the clinical changes in patients and the medical/medical-social events that occurred during this period. The impact of the aids maintained and the place where people live is studied.DiscussionConfinement is an exceptional measure that makes it possible to reduce the risk of contagion in the event of an epidemic, at the risk of harmful consequences for people weakened by a NCDs. In the event of an epidemic episode in the future, this study could help to define the arrangements to be put in place to better protect people suffering from NCDs and their family caregivers.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Stroke patients and visual memory: Exploring the role of spirituality and religiousness
Authors: Giannouli V. , Giannoulis K. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe relationship of spirituality, religiousness and stroke is a topic of interest.ObjectivesThe aim of this preliminary study is to explore whether self-reports in two questionnaires measuring the personal experience of spirituality and religiousness can influence cognition and more specifically performance on neuropsychological tests examining visual memory.MethodsFifteen male stroke patients participated voluntarily one year after their hospitalization. The mean age of the patients was 75.58 years (SD = 7.50, range 61-90), level of education 15.47 years (SD = 3.82). In addition to that, fifteen controls with similar demographics, free of physical and mental diseases, were also examined. Depressive symptoms of the participants were assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, the Systems of Belief Inventory (SBI-15R) and a number of standardized tests examining visual memory were administered: visual perception (copy condition) and memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test-number of correct components on immediate and delayed recall trials and recognition-true positive responses).Resultsindicated a statistically significant difference between the control group and the stroke group in performance regarding visual memory. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the levels of spirituality and religiousness.ConclusionsVisual memory does not seem to be influenced by spirituality and religiousness one year post-stroke. Future research should further investigate the possible influence of the abovementioned factors in post-stroke recovery and rehabilitation.
Portuguese ABE’s BPSD score (ABS): exploring agreement between ABS items and neuropsychiatric inventory domains
Authors: Ferreira A.R. , Dias C.C. , Simões M.R. , Abe K. , Fernandes L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionNeuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common, disabling and burdensome core-features of dementia, with important diagnostic and prognostic value. However, their measurement remains challenging. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) is the most widely used NPS measure. Nevertheless, it is also time-consuming and impractical in most clinical settings. Therefore, the Abe’s BPSD score (ABS) has been proposed as a brief score to facilitate the NPS assessment.ObjectivesTo explore the concurrent validity of the Portuguese ABS by comparing the 10 ABS items with the relevant NPI-12 domains.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with outpatients attending a gerontopsychiatric consultation. Patients were included if they were ≥65 years and had a reliable caregiver. NPS frequency rates (number of patients with a symptom) were estimated with ABS and NPI-12, and an agreement analysis was undertaken by calculating kappa-coefficients (k) and the respective 95% confidence interval [95%CI] between ABS items and relevant NPI-12 domains.ResultsOverall, 107 patients were included. Kappa-values ranged from 0.277 to 1.000. Higher agreement was recorded for the ABS items eating/toilet problems (k=1.000), day–night reversal (k=0.976[0.925-1.000]) and depressive/gloomy mood (k=0.957[0.899-1.000]), with the NPI-12 appetite/eating abnormalities, night-time behavioural disturbances and dysphoria domains, respectively. The ABS item violent force recorded the lowest agreement (k=0.277[0.104-0.45]) with the NPI-12 agitation/aggression domain.ConclusionsThis exploratory analysis demonstrates good levels of agreement between most ABS items and relevant NPI-12 domains. Data add to the evidence that both measures capture a comparable broad spectrum of psychopathology, supporting the ABS use in clinical routine. Support: FCT(PD/BD/114555/2016), and National Funds through FCT-within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (ref.UIDB/4255/2020).
Psychogeriatrics and case-mix in residential and home services
Authors: Riolo A. , Albert U. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe frail elderly with multimorbidity and polytherapy may need both residential and home services. The psychogeriatric patient can make both of these contexts very demanding and painful, so that the care burden increases.Psycho-behavioral events lead to an unexpected and particularly complex workload, requiring specific and integrated skills in the fields of health, social assistance and education.ObjectivesEvaluate whether the integrated team, operating in the health district, is able to intecept multimorbidity in the presence of psychogeriatric disorders. A possible index of the ability to take charge of psychogeriatric multimorbidity is to measure admission rates to acute psychiatric services or to nursing homes.MethodsMetodi. This is an observational study on a cohort of thirty elderly patients over-65, consecutively assessed in the health district with multimorbidity and psycho-behavioral, followed for six months.ResultsOne third of psychogeriatric patients with multimorbidity, despite being intercepted by health services of community, are admitted to acute psychiatric services for brief observation or hospitalization. Psychogeriatric patients have high clinical instability, reducing ability to make adequate choices, lower levels of consistent actions.ConclusionsOrganizational models, in response to the growing multimorbidity, and the allocation of resources cannot be oriented to the single pathology but to groups of patients in the perspective of long term care. The case-mix is an index of the complexity of the cases treated; when we refer to the psychogeriatric population, this index is high, due to emergence of social and medical problems in both residential and home services.
Vascular depression – regarding a case report
Authors: Felgueiras P. , Martins A. , Miguel A. , Almeida N. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAge-related vascular changes have long been documented as an etiopathogenic factor of some geriatric depressive syndromes. More recently, it has emerged the concept of “Vascular Depression” recognizing that cardiovascular disease may predispose, precipitate or perpetuate late life depression. This condition was defined by an episode of major depressive disorder within the preceding 12 months in elderly with cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease, or major cardiovascular risk factors. Vascular Depression isn`t described in DSM-V, and that difficults clinical recognition and affects clinically informed systematic studies.ObjectivesRegarding a clinical case, we enphasize the clinical impact of Vascular Depression`s hypothesis.MethodsWe present a qualitative review of this topic using the Pubmed Central database.Results74 years old male patient, with major depressive disorder about ten years. Depressive and cognitive symptoms didn`t respond to antidepressive treatment and his functional state has gradually declined.ConclusionsVascular depression develops after the 60 – 65 years in the absence of personal and family history of affective disorder. The key symptoms are low energy, anhedonia, deficits in selfinitiation, psychomotor retardation, reduced processing speed and lack of insight into mood symptoms. Clinical assessment includes a review of history of vascular risk factors or/and disease, but also an imagiological evidence demonstrating subcortical white matter abnormalities. Insidious and chronic course tends to delay its recognition and management. This becomes critical because Vascular Depression is associated with poor response to antidepressant treatment and persistent depressive symptoms. It`s also associated with poor selfmanagement of comorbidities and impairment in daily function. Increased mortality from all causes is widely documented.
The role of self-compassion in the relationship between pain and depression in palliative patients
Authors: Guerra J. , Santiago L. , Carreiras D. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionIn palliative care, depression and pain are prevalent variables with a reciprocal and controversial relationship. Depression is common in people with chronical diseases. In the last decades, self-compassion has been pointed as a protective psychological process to negative affect.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to test the role of self-compassion in the relationship between pain and depression in palliative patients.MethodsSample was composed of 33 patients in palliative care, with a mean of 74.12 years of age (SD = 12.76). Participants completed self-report questionnaires and data was analyzed using SPSS.ResultsFrom the descriptive analysis of the results of the Geriatric Depression Scale, 22 patients were depressed (66.6%), 9 of them in severe depression (27.7%). Self-compassion presented a negative and moderate correlation with depression. Depression was positively correlated with pain. A hierarchical regression to predict depression was conducted. Firstly, pain was entered as a predictive variable with a significant effect. Secondly, self-compassion was entered, and the model was significantly incremented, explaining 41% of depression. Only self-compassion was significant in this model.ConclusionsDiscussion and conclusion: The association between pain and depression in palliative care corroborate previous research. Results seemed to show that self-compassion has a significant effect in the relationship between pain and depression. Cultivating a compassion self-to-self relationship might have an important effect attenuating the link between pain and depression in palliative care.
Burnout among health care professionals in medical oncology in tunisia
Authors: Daldoul A. , Khechin W. , Krir W. , Ezzairi F. , Kefi H. , Zaied S. , Ahmed S. Ben 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionBurnout syndrome concerns 27.8% of the general working population against 37% among doctors.ObjectivesThis study aimed to report the prevalence of burnout among health care professionals in medical oncology in Tunisia.MethodsThis was a cross sectional study including health care professionals in medical oncology working in public hospitals in Tunisia. It was carried out from 15 January 2019 to 15 June 2019. Health profeessionals were asked to answer the Maslach –Burnout Inventory Test. Three scores allowing to locate the burn-out state of the person: the Score of emotional exhaustion (SEE), the Depersonalization score (SD) and the Score of personal achievement at work (SAP).ResultsLe taux de participation était de 58,3%. La combinaison d’un SEE élevé, d’un SD élevé et d’un SAP bas définit le syndrome de Burn-out. Le SEE était élevé chez 44 travailleurs (63%), indiquant un épuisement émotionnel sévère. Un SD élevé a été trouvé chez 37 répondants (53%). La majorité des participants (59%) avaient un PAS faible. Le burnout est défini par l’association chez la même personne d’un épuisement émotionnel élevé, d’une dépersonnalisation élevée et d’un faible rendement personnel. Cela a été trouvé chez 15 des participants (21%). Selon l’étude analytique, le sexe féminin était significativement associé à un SEE élevé, un SAP bas et un épuisement global. Le travail de nuit était significativement associé à un degré élevé de dépersonnalisation et à un degré élevé d’épuisement général.ConclusionsBurnout is linked to an increasingly ergonomic load. Health care professionnel, particularly in oncology, are frequently faced to this syndrome.