Browsing by Author "Rocha, Nuno Barbosa"
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- An overview of the clinical uses, pharmacology, and safety of modafinilPublication . Murillo-Rodríguez, Eric; Veras, André Barciela; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Budde, Henning; Machado, Sérgio; Rocha, NunoModafinil (MOD) is a wakefulness-inducing compound prescribed for treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness as a consequence of sleep disturbances such as shift work sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy. While providing effective results in patients with sleepiness, MOD also produces positive outcomes in the management of fatigue associated with different conditions including depression, cancer, or tiredness in military personnel. Although there is clear evidence of the stimulant effects of MOD, current data also show that administration of this drug apparently induces positive neurobiological effects, such as improvement in memory. However, serious concerns have been raised since some reports have suggested MOD dependence. Taken together, these findings highlight the need to characterize the changes induced by MOD which have been observed in several neurobiological functions. Moreover, further work should follow up on the likely long-term effects of this drug if used for treatment of drowsiness and tiredness. Here, we review and summarize recent findings of the medical uses of MOD in the management of sleepiness and fatigue associated with depression or cancer as well as exhaustion in military personnel. We also discuss the available literature related with the cognitive enhancing properties of this stimulant, as well as what is known and unknown about MOD addiction.
- Dissociating cognitive and affective empathy across psychopathy dimensions: the role of interoception and alexithymiaPublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Barbosa, FernandoThis study examined the associations between psychopathy dimensions (triarchic phenotypes and classical factors), empathy domains (cognitive and affective), and interoception (interoceptive attention and accuracy) while accounting for the putative role of alexithymia. A community sample (n = 515) completed an online survey encompassing: Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (boldness, meanness, disinhibition); Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (primary and secondary psychopathy); Body Perception Questionnaire (interoceptive attention); Interoceptive Accuracy Scale; Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Hierarchical linear regression models were implemented for hypothesis-driven analyses examining the associations between psychopathy, empathy, and interoception while controlling for sex, age, and alexithymia. Exploratory path models were employed to investigate alexithymia and/or cognitive empathy as mediators between interoception and psychopathy. Our results largely confirmed the postulated empathy profiles across psychopathy dimensions, as meanness and primary psychopathy displayed a broad empathy impairment, while disinhibition and secondary psychopathy were only associated with diminished cognitive empathy. Importantly, boldness displayed a unique pattern (enhanced cognitive empathy and reduced affective empathy), further reinforcing its importance within the constellation of psychopathy traits. Contrary to our hypotheses, self-perceived interoceptive attention and accuracy were not associated with either psychopathy dimension after controlling for alexithymia. However, interoceptive accuracy and alexithymia were associated with cognitive empathy, while alexithymia was also positively related to all psychopathy dimensions (as expected), despite the unexpected strong and negative association with boldness. Exploratory analyses suggested significant indirect effects (mediation) between interoceptive accuracy and psychopathy via alexithymia and/or cognitive empathy. These mediating effects must be interpreted with caution and future studies should be designed to formally test this model.
- Estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua: fundamentos teóricos, guião prático & aplicação na doença mental e neurológicaPublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Sá, CristianaEste manual de apoio à aprendizagem foi elaborado com o objetivo de dar suporte às unidades curriculares relacionadas com temas avançados de reabilitação dos ciclos de estudos de Licenciatura e Mestrado em Terapia Ocupacional da Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, podendo ser igualmente utilizado noutros ciclos de estudos nas áreas de Terapia e Reabilitação e de Fisiologia Clínica. Consiste num guia compreensivo sobre a utilização da estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua como ferramenta de intervenção para a prestação de cuidados de saúde e reabilitação na doença mental e neurológica, abrangendo os seus fundamentos básicos, procedimentos de aplicação prática e segurança, parametrização de protocolos (incluindo a utilização de modelos computacionais) e evidência atualizada sobre a sua eficácia.
- Interventions based on biofeedback systems to improve workers’ psychological well-being, mental health and safety: a systematic literature reviewPublication . Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Mateus, Catarina; Rodrigues, Pedro Pereira; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde; Mateus, Catarina; Rocha, NunoIn modern, high-speed work settings, the significance of mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged as a pressing health issue, with potential adverse consequences for organizations, including reduced productivity and increased absenteeism. Over the past few years, various mental health management solutions, such as biofeedback applications, have surfaced as promising avenues to improve employees' mental well-being. To gain deeper insights into the suitability and effectiveness of employing biofeedback-based mental health interventions in real-world workplace settings, given that most research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory conditions. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that used biofeedback interventions in workplace settings. The review focused on traditional biofeedback, mindfulness, app-directed interventions, immersive scenarios, and in-depth physiological data presentation. The review identified nine studies employing biofeedback interventions in the workplace. Breathing techniques showed great promise in decreasing stress and physiological parameters, especially when coupled with visual and/or auditory cues. Future research should focus on developing and implementing interventions to improve well-being and mental health in the workplace, with the goal of creating safer and healthier work environments and contributing to the sustainability of organizations.
- The relationship between childhood abuse and adult attachment styles: the mediator role of sensory over-responsivityPublication . Silva, Alexandra; Ferreira, Simão; Pinto, Élia Silva; Rocha, Susana Aguiar; Rocha, Nuno BarbosaChild abuse portrays health and well-being issues that can last for several years, including altering interpersonal behavior. Evidence has shown that these early negative experiences may cause changes in sensory modulation. This study aimed to understand if sensory over-responsivity (SOR) plays an important role in mediating the association between childhood abuse (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, physical neglect) and attachment-related anxiety or avoidance in adult romantic relationships. An online survey was conducted to examine these associations in a Portuguese community sample (N = 500) aged 18–62 years. The presented mediation models shown a higher mediation percentage for attachment-related anxiety rather than avoidance. All variables predicted the mediator, except sexual abuse which did not predict the overall model when the mediator was included. Our results have implications for individual treatment approaches regarding child abuse victims and can certainly influence intervention strategies.
- Treino de competências sociais para adultos: enquadramento e implementaçãoPublication . Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Campos, Carlos; Braga, GiselaEste manual de apoio à aprendizagem foi elaborado com o objetivo de dar suporte às unidades curriculares relacionadas com a intervenção e reabilitação em saúde mental dos ciclos de estudos de licenciatura e mestrado em Terapia Ocupacional da Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto podendo igualmente ser utilizado noutros ciclos de estudos nas áreas de Terapia e Reabilitação. Trata-se de uma abordagem pragmática ao treino de competências sociais, com a descrição dos elementos principais de enquadramento e implementação