Browsing by Author "Castro-Caldas, Alexandre"
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- Amygdala activation in response to 2D and 3D emotion-inducing stimuliPublication . Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Barbosa, Fernando; Monteiro, Luís; Leitão, Miguel; Reis, Mafalda; Coelho, Carlos M.; Ribeiro, Eduardo; Carvalho, Irene P.; Sousa, Liliana; Castro-Caldas, AlexandreStudying changes in brain activation according to the valence of emotion-inducing stimuli is essential in the research on emotions. Due to the ecological potential of virtual reality, it is also important to examine whether brain activation in response to emotional stimuli can be modulated by the three-dimensional (3D) properties of the images. This study uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to compare differences between 3D and standard (2D) visual stimuli in the activation of emotion-related brain areas. The stimuli were organized in three virtual-reality scenarios, each with a different emotional valence (pleasant, unpleasant and neutral). The scenarios were presented in a pseudo-randomized order in the two visualization modes to twelve healthy males. Data were analyzed through a GLM-based fixed effects procedure. Unpleasant and neutral stimuli activated the right amygdala more strongly when presented in 3D than in 2D. These results suggest that 3D stimuli, when used as “building blocks” for virtual environments, can induce increased emotional loading, as shown here through neuroimaging.
- At-distance neurocognitive rehabilitation during COVID-19 pandemic: A first glance of patients’ perspectives about the process and an online platformPublication . Geraldo, Andreia ; Dores, Artemisa R; Carvalho, Irene P.; Guerreiro, Sandra; Castro-Caldas, Alexandre; Barbosa, FernandoDespite the use of digital communication technologies in neurocognitive rehabilitation has been widely used in face-to-face interventions, the difficulties of using ICT-based tools to provide rehabilitation services and the unfamiliarity of the neuropsychologists with internet interventions limited the use of these kinds of interventions in their clinical practices. The lockdown and mitigating measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, forced the use of at-distance and online interventions as a means to mitigate the impact of those measures on the mental health and rehabilitation processes of people with neurological disorders. Overall, little is known about the perspectives of patients with acquired neurological conditions about rehabilitation services delivered at distance. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to explore the perceptions that patients with neurological disorders have on at-distance online neurocognitive rehabilitation, namely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixteen patients with acquired neurological conditions attending an online neurocognitive rehabilitation program in a Portuguese rehabilitation center filled in an online questionnaire during the mandatory lockdown. The results of this study highlight the potential of delivering rehabilitation services at distance, presenting its advantages and limitations from patients’ perspectives, as well as suggestions for improving both neurorehabilitation processes and the online rehabilitation platform used.
- A avaliação multidomínio da eficácia de programas de reabilitação neurocognitiva suportados nas novas tecnologias digitaisPublication . Pinto, Joana O.; Geraldo, Andreia; Peixoto, Bruno; Castro-Caldas, Alexandre; Barbosa, Fernando; Dores, Artemisa RochaO envolvimento das novas tecnologias digitais nos processos de estimulação e reabilitação neurocognitiva (RNC) tem potenciado a eficácia e eficiência dos serviços de RNC, nomeadamente através de uma maior personalização aos perfis funcionais de cada indivíduo. Apesar disso, os protocolos de avaliação da eficácia destes processos baseiam-se maioritariamente em resultados de instrumentos tradicionais que não fornecem informação específica sobre as alterações que produzem quer no funcionamento cerebral per se, quer no seu funcionamento multissensorial. Desta forma, o projeto de investigação em curso foca-se na avaliação da eficácia de programas de RNC suportados nas novas tecnologias digitais, em diferentes patologias neurológicas utilizando protocolos de avaliação constituídos por medidas de resultado multidomínio. Os protocolos incluem medidas de: avaliação neuropsicológica tradicional, do estado emocional, qualidade de vida, funcionalidade, neurofisiologia (i.e., conectividade funcional), e das funções sensoriopercetivas
- Conceptualization and rehabilitation of executive functions: A review of the literaturePublication . Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Carvalho, Irene Palmares; Barbosa, Fernando; Martins, Claúdia; de Sousa, Liliana; Castro-Caldas, AlexandrePublications on executive functions have increased in the last few years, reflecting the importance of this area of study. The scientific output on executive functions is now extremely diverse, comprising variations around terminology, assessment, and rehabilitation practices, and ranging in topics from neuroanatomical correlates of executive functions to effects of executive dysfunction. This review seeks to explore this diversity around executive functions in order to provide an integrative overview of the topic that systematizes the current knowledge in this area, and to point to trends and future directions for research and practice. The literature review was conducted in the ISI Web of Knowledge databases. The analysis was conducted in NVivo9. Two independent coders applied an inductive analysis to all relevant papers, building a hierarchical model with categories and subcategories of themes emerging from the literature. A confirmatory analysis followed, with the same independent coders applying the model to the papers. The process was validated by a third expert researcher. Out of 187 titles and abstracts, 91 were analyzed. The outcomes were structured in six main categories: central nervous system, diagnosis, population, assessment, intervention, and theoretical models. Key findings included promising trends in executive function assessment and rehabilitation as well as potential implications for current health approaches and future research.
- E a qualidade de vida? Estudo dos efeitos de um programa holístico de reabilitação neuropsicológicaPublication . Almeida, Isabel; Guerreiro, Sandra; Martins-Rocha, Benedita; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Vicente, Selene G.; Barbosa, Fernando; Castro-Caldas, AlexandreA reabilitação após lesão cerebral adquirida (LCA) pretende minimizar os impactos dos défices na funcionalidade do indivíduo promovendo a sua Qualidade de Vida (Qvd). O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o impacto de um programa holístico de reabilitação neuropsicológica (PHRN) nas dimensões da Qvd. Participaram 20 sujeitos com LCA, média de idades 30 anos (DP=7.62). Os participantes foram avaliados pré e pós intervenção, com intervalo de seis meses utilizando-se o Quality Of Life after Brain Injury. Para a análise usamos o t-test amostras emparelhadas, com p corrigido para comparações múltiplas. Verifica-se uma avaliação mais satisfatória após a intervenção em todas as dimensões: total [t(19)=-4.59, p =0.001], social [t(19)=-1.29, p =0.001], emocional [t(19)=-1.85, p =0.001] e físico [t(19)=-1.778, p =0.01). Os resultados sugerem que o PHRN promove melhorias em todas as dimensões da Qdv.
- Efficacy of ICT-Based Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Programs for Acquired Brain InjuryPublication . Geraldo, Andreia; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Coelho, Bárbara; Ramião, Eduarda; Castro-Caldas, Alexandre; Barbosa, FernandoThis systematic review aims to analyze the methods used in the assessment of the efficacy of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Programs (NRP) based on Information and Communication Technologies in patients with Acquired Brain Injury, namely platforms and online rehabilitation programs. Studies with the main purpose of evaluating the efficacy of those programs were retrieved from multiple literature databases, accordingly to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion and analysis of the studies followed preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) and Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines. Thirty-one studies were included in this review. Results showed that most studies used a pre-post methodological design, with few studies performing assessment moments during intervention or follow-up. Attention, memory, and executive functions were the cognitive variables considered by a larger number of studies at the assessment of NRP efficacy. Despite that, there is a growing evidence on the inclusion of variables related to everyday functioning in this process, increasing its ecological validity. Concerning the instruments used, the studies presented a large heterogeneity of the instruments and methods used, even for the same assessment purpose, highlighting a lack of consensus regarding assessment protocol. Psychophysiological and neuroimaging techniques are seldom used on this field. This review identifies the main characteristics of the methodology used at the assessment of NRP and potential limitations, providing useful information to guide the practice of the health care professionals in rehabilitation of Acquired Brain Injury. It also suggests new directions for future studies
- Evidence-based rehabilitation after acquired brain injury: a clinical trial on a holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation programPublication . Guerreiro, Sandra; Almeida, Isabel; Rocha, Benedita Martins; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Vicente, Selene; Castro-Caldas, Alexandre; Barbosa, FernandoComprehensive-holistic neuropsychological programs have been recommended as a practice standard during post-acute rehabilitation in order to reduce cognitive and functional disability after moderate or severe brain injury. One major challenge of clinical research is to provide systematic data for the development of evidence-based neuropsychological rehabilitation. Rehabilitation after brain injury is concerned with reducing levels of disabil ity, either through restoration, or the use of adaptive and compensatory strategies. The goal of rehabilitation is not only the remediation of cognitive impairment, but mainly the establishment of a meaningfully and satisfactory life in face of persisting limitations. Outcomes may be assessed at the level of impairment, activity or participation. This study aims to evaluate the effi cacy of the Holistic Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Program (HNRP), held in Centro de Reabilitação Professional de Gaia in cognitive perform ance, emotional stability, functional ability and quality of life.
- Functional connectivity as outcome measure of cognitive rehabilitationPublication . Geraldo, Andreia,; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Castro-Caldas, Alexandre; Barbosa, FernandoThis study examines the contributes of functional connectivity (FC) in the assessment of the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation programs (CRP). We conducted a systematic search on EBSCO, WoS and Pubmed, further complemented with hand search. Thirty-two studies analyzing the efficacy of CRP and having FC as outcome were included in this review. The fMRI is the most frequent technique used to assess FC, with resting-state (RS) acquisition protocols. Despite that, 7 fMRI studies used task-engaged (TE) protocols, and 4 used both RS and TE. Two studies used MEG and 1 used EEG, all with RS protocols. Significant changes in FC after CRP were reported in all studies, both compared to baseline and control groups. Additionally, significant positive improvements in neuropsychological outcomes were reported in 28 studies. Correlations between neuropsychological and FC outcomes were found in 19 studies, and FC was significantly correlated with measures of depression and quality of life in 2 studies. The relationship between FC and behavioral outcomes suggests that FC can provide important measures when assessing the efficacy of CRP.
- Impacto de um programa holístico de reabilitação neuropsicológica na qualidade de vida de pessoas com lesão cerebral adquiridaPublication . Almeida, Isabel; Guerreiro, Sandra; Martins-Rocha, Benedita; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Vicente, Selene G.; Barbosa, Fernando; Castro-Caldas, AlexandreA reabilitação após lesão cerebral adquirida (LCA) pretende aumentar a funcionalidade do indivíduo, promovendo a sua Qualidade de Vida (QdV). O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o impacto de um programa holístico de reabilitação neuropsicológica (PHRN) nas dimensões da QdV. Participaram 20 pessoas com LCA, média de idades 30 anos (DP = 7.62). Os participantes foram avaliados pré e pós intervenção, com intervalo de seis meses, utilizando-se o Quality of Life After Brain Injury (QOLIBRI). Para a análise usamos o t-testpara amostras emparelhadas, com p corrigido para comparações múltiplas. Verificam-se resultados significativos após a intervenção em todas as dimensões: total [t(19) = -4.59, p < .001], cognitiva [t(19) = -2.31, p = .003], self[t(19) =-5.76, p < .001],AVD (atividades de vida diária)[t(19) = -3.18, p = .001], social[t(19) = -1.29, p = .001], emocional [t(19) = -1.85, p = .001], com exceção da dimensão físico [t(19) = -1.78, p = .01]. Os resultados sugerem que a intervenção com o PHRN promove a QdV das pessoas com LCA.
- Impacto de um programa holístico de reabilitação neuropsicológica na qualidade de vida de pessoas com lesão cerebral adquiridaPublication . Almeida, Isabel; Guerreiro, Sandra; Martins-Rocha, Benedita; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Vicente, Seline G.; Barbosa, Fernando; Castro-Caldas, AlexandreAfter acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation aims to increase the individual’s functio-nality promoting their Quality of Life (QoL). The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of a holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation program (HNRP) on quality of life dimensions. Twenty subjects with ABI participated, mean age 30 years (SD=7.62). Participants were assessed pre and post intervention, with a six months interval, using Quality of Life After Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) A paired-sample t-test was conducted for data analyzes, with corrected p for multiple comparisons. Significant results after inter-vention were observed at all dimensions: total [t(19) = -4.59, p < .001], cognitive [t(19) = -2.31, p = .003], self[t(19) =-5.76, p < .001],DLAs(daily life activities)[t(19) = -3.18, p = .001], social[t(19) = -1.29, p = .001], emotional [t(19) = -1.85, p = .001], except on physical [t(19) = -1.78, p = .01]. Results suggest that intervention, after ABI, with the HNRP improves patients’ QoL.