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- Refining the link between psychopathy, antisocial behavior, and empathy: a meta-analytical approach across different conceptual frameworksPublication . Campos, Carlos; Pasion, Rita; Azeredo, Andreia; Eduarda, Ramião; Mazer, Prune; Machado, Inês; Barbosa, FernandoThe current meta-analysis included 431 records (N= 123,414) to comprehensively explore the complex interaction between psychopathy, antisocial behavior, and empathy. First, empathy domains (cognitive and affective) were used to provide critical insights for distinguishing antisocial behavior from psychopathy. Cognitive empathy was more impaired in antisocial groups (gcognitive= -.40; gaffective= -.11), while high psychopathy samples displayed larger deficits in affective empathy (gaffective= -.44; gcognitive= -.23), although this dissociation was not clear in correlational analyses. Secondly, the specific associations between empathy domains and psychopathy dimensions were evaluated. Psychopathy traits closely related to antisocial behavior were mildly associated with both empathy domains (r= -.07 to -.14). Callous-affective traits were largely associated with affective empathy (r= -.32 to -.35) and moderately correlated to cognitive empathy (r= -.26). Diverging results were found for the interpersonal dimension, as boldness-adaptive manifestations were unrelated to cognitive empathy (r= .05), while non-adaptive interpersonal traits were negatively associated with both empathy domains (rcognitive= -.14; raffective= -.25). Overall, these findings suggest that: (1) psychopathy and antisocial behavior display distinct empathic profiles; (2) psychopathy dimensions are differentially associated with cognitive and affective empathy; (3) the interaction between interpersonal traits and empathic processes is different across the conceptual models of psychopathy.
- Aerobic exercise reduces anxiety symptoms and improves fitness in patients with panic disorderPublication . Lamego, Murilo Khede; Lattari, Eduardo; Sá Filho, Alberto Souza de; Paes, Flávia; Mascarenhas Jr., Jarbas; Maranhão Neto, Geraldo; Oliveira, Aldair José de; Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Nardi, Antonio E.; Machado, SergioTo investigate the effects of a regularly repeated aerobic exercise series on anxiety and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) in Panic Disorder patients. METHODS: Ten previously sedentary female subjects diagnosed with Panic Disorder performed 36 sessions of aerobic exercise (at 70 to 75% of VO2max), 3 times per week during 12 weeks. A cardiopulmonary evaluation (ergospirometry test) was used to set the intensity of training as well as to establish baseline and post-training VO2max parameters. The assessment of anxiety symptoms was performed at baseline, at the end of the 6th and 12th weeks, using the Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T) and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) questionnaires. One-way ANOVA for repeated measurements (at 3 moments: Baseline, 6th week (mid-training) and 12th week (post-training) was used to compare the evolution of the questionnaires; the Bonferroni post hoc test was applied to identify differences between moments. A dependent t-test was performed for measures of VO2max. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, (a) STAI-T showed significant anxiety reductions at mid- and post-training moments; (b) STAI-S and SUDS recorded anxiety reductions only at Post-training; (c) VO2max showed a significant improvement at Post-training. CONCLUSION: This protocol promoted beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and anxiety levels of Panic Disorder patients.
- Dissociating self reported interoceptive accuracy and attention: Evidence from a Portuguese community samplePublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Barbosa, FernandoThe 2x2 factorial model has been recently proposed as a promising framework to measure individual differences in interoception. The first factor addresses which domain is being measured (interoceptive accuracy vs. attention), while the second distinguishes how it is being measured (self-report beliefs vs. objective performance). The current study examined the association between self-reported interoceptive accuracy and attention. We hypothesized no linear association between these constructs, although a quadratic U-shaped association was expected. Furthermore, alexithymia should be differentially related to interoceptive accuracy and attention. An online community sample (*n *= 515) completed the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), the Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ) *ndexing self-reported interoceptive attention, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Pearson correlations, Steiger’s Z-test, polynomial regression analysis, and two-lines testing were used for statistical analysis. IAS was positively correlated with BPQ, r = .204, p < .001. In the polynomial regression analysis, the linear model indicated a positive association between IAS and BPQ (4.2%), but the quadratic term explained an additional 12.7% of the variance. Two-lines testing indicated a U-shaped association between self-report interoceptive accuracy and attention. IAS was negatively correlated with TAS, r = -.291, p < .001, while there was no significant association between BPQ and TAS, r = -.030, p = .500, as these correlations were statistically different. These results suggest that interoceptive accuracy and attention can be dissociated using self-report measures and may display a quadratic U-shaped association, providing further evidence for the 2x2 factorial model. Future studies should explore the non-linear relationship between interoceptive accuracy and attention using alternative questionnaires and performance-based measures.
- Allostatic interoception in frontotemporal dementia: A scoping review protocolPublication . Carneiro, Fábio; Hazelton, Jessica L.; Campos, Carlos; Ibáñez, Agustín; Ferreira-Santos, FernandoFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a spectrum of disorders characterized by distinct behavioral, cognitive, and motor symptoms. Deficits in interoception and allostasis have garnered attention, considering the involvement of the allostatic-interoceptive network in FTD, their contribution to canonical social cognitive and affective deficits, and the identification of whole-body biomarkers related to autonomic and allostatic processes. Traditionally, interoception has been defined as the perception of visceral signals, yet contemporary understandings broaden this to encompass both the representation and regulation of the physiological state across bodily tissues. Consequently, interoceptive deficits in FTD extend beyond classical viscerosensory paradigms to include pain, temperature, autonomic, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine phenomena. Allostasis involves the prospective regulation of energy balance, as well as the anticipation and adaptive response to homeostatic challenges. These repeated challenges result in physiological consequences measurable by markers of allostatic load, spanning various bodily systems. Despite emerging evidence highlighting dysfunction in interoception and allostasis in FTD, the literature remains fragmented, lacking cohesive reviews addressing the diverse mechanisms comprehensively. Thus, this scoping review examines the reciprocal interaction between brain and bodily physiology (interoception) and the physiological responses to environmental demands (allostatic load) in FTD. Following the principles outlined in the PRISMA statement, we will systematically search and screen quantitative primary research studies on patients with FTD, utilizing interoceptive or allostatic metrics. By synthesizing the existing literature, we aim to identify active research areas, delineate primary deficits across physiological systems, uncover syndrome-specific patterns of dysfunction, and identify the most promising and understudied domains in this field.
- Neuroplastic Changes Following Social Cognition Training in Schizophrenia: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Campos, Carlos; Santos, Susana; Gagen, Emily; Machado, Sérgio; Rocha, Susana; Kurtz, Matthew M; Rocha, NunoSocial cognitive impairment is a key feature of schizophrenia and social cognition training (SCT) is a promising tool to address these deficits. Neurobiological dysfunction in schizophrenia has been widely researched, but neuronal changes induced by SCT have been scarcely explored. This review aims to assess the neuroplastic effects of SCT in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for clinical trials testing the effects of SCT in functional and structural brain measurements of adult patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. A total of 11 studies were included: five used fMRI, two used EEG and ERP, one used ERP only, two used MEG and one study used MRI. Data extracting and processing regarding sociodemographic and clinical variables, intervention characteristics, neuroimaging procedures, neuroplastic findings, effect sizes and study quality criteria was completed by two raters. Results indicate a wide range of structural and functional changes in numerous regions and circuits of the social brain, including early perceptual areas, the limbic system and prefrontal regions. Despite the small number of trials currently available, evidence suggests that SCT is associated with neuroplastic changes in the social brain and concomitant improvements in social cognitive performance. There is a lack of extensive knowledge about the neural mechanisms that underlie social cognitive enhancement after treatment, but the reported findings may shed light on the neural substrates of social cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and how improved treatment procedures can be developed and applied.
- Untangling self-reported interoceptive attention and accuracy: Evidence from the european portuguese validation of the body perception questionnaire and the interoceptive accuracy scalePublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Barbosa, FernandoThis study included an online community-sample (n = 515) and aimed to: (1) explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of the European Portuguese versions of the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS) and the Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ) - Body Awareness and Autonomic Reactivity scales; (2) examine the association between self-reported interoceptive attention and accuracy (indexed by the BPQ Body Awareness and IAS, respectively). Parallel-analysis indicated a one-factor solution for the BPQ Body Awareness. For the IAS and BPQ Autonomic Reactivity, bifactor ESEM models were retained. Ancillary measures revealed that both scales were mainly unidimensional and presented reliable total scores. All scales displayed excellent internal consistency, although test-rest reliability was modest. There was a quadratic U-shaped association between the IAS and BPQ Body Awareness. Alexithymia was negatively correlated with the IAS and unassociated with the BPQ Body Awareness. These findings suggest that interoceptive attention and accuracy may be dissociated using self-report questionnaires.
- Effects of working memory training on depressive symptoms and frontal alpha asymmetry: a pilot studyPublication . Campos, Carlos; Paiva, Tiago; Ribeiro, Luís; Tripologos, Sofia; Barbosa, Fernando; Tavares, Diana; Rocha, NunoTo assess the effects of working memory training (WMT) on depressive symptoms and frontal alpha asymmetry of young adults with moderate-severe depression. : 30 participants were randomly allocated to the WMT or control groups. Two subjects dropped out and one participant was excluded from EEG analysis.The WMT group completed 5 sessions of automatically adjusted n-back training (starting from 2-back) and the control group only performed 1-back trials. Main outcome measures were self reported depressive symptoms and frontal alpha asymmetry (pre- and post-training). There was a significant time*group interaction for self-reported depression (p = .047, ηp² = .144) and F4-F3 alpha asymmetry (p = .043, ηp² = .153). Post-hoc analysis revealed significant improvements in depression on the WMT group (p < .001) and non-significant findings regarding F4-F3 alpha asymmetry. There was no significant interaction for F8-F7 alpha asymmetry (p = .115, ηp² = .096). WMT may be an effective tool to reduce depressive symptoms. Frontal alpha asymmetry should be explored as a neurophysiological outcome measure of cognitive training efficacy.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for schizophrenia: an overview on efficacy, recent trends and neurobiological findingsPublication . Candida, Maristela; Campos, Carlos; Monteiro, Bárbara; Rocha, Nuno; Paes, Flávia; Nardi, António Egídio; Machado, SérgioCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been recommended by several international guidelines as the gold-standard treatment to address the needs of patients with schizophrenia. This review provides an overview on recent advances regarding CBT for schizophrenia. An electronic search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane Database, using the key-words: "schizophrenia"; "psychosis"; "cognitive-behavioral therapy", "CBT"and "psychotherapy". Numerous systematic reviews support the immediate and long-term efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reduce positive and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. In the last decade, CBT for schizophrenia has been applied to clinical high-risk subjects and delivered using innovative approaches (low intensity, web-based and self-guided). Brain regions and networks which support high-level cognitive functions have been associated with CBT responsiveness. There is preliminary evidence indicating that CBT induces a prefrontal dependent increase in the top-down modulation of social threat activation. In the last decade, CBT for schizophrenia has explored new treatment outcomes, targeted acute and pre-clinical populations and provided alternative methods to reach more patients and reduce intervention costs. The patients' neurocognitive profile seems to play a critical role in treatment response and combining CBT with cognitive remediation may allow to enhance therapeutic effects. Although CBT for schizophrenia is widely established as a gold-standard practice, future studies using innovative CBT protocols, exploring brain-related predictors and treatment outcomes may allow this intervention to be more effective, personalized and to reach a wider number of patients.
- Relationship Among Body Image, Anthropometric Parameters and Mental Health in Physical Education StudentsPublication . Legey, Sandro; Lamego, Murilo Khede; Lattari, Eduardo; Campos, Carlos; Paes, Flávia; Sancassiani, Federica; Mura, Gioia; Carta, Mauro Giovanni; Rocha, Nuno; Nardi, Antônio Egídio; José de Oliveira, Aldair; Neto, Geraldo Maranhão; Murillo-Rodriguez, Eric; Arias-Carrión, Oscar; Budde, Henning; Machado, SergioBackground The prevalence of body image dissatisfaction (BID) is currently high. Given that psychological well-being is associated with the body measurements imposed by esthetic standards, BID is an important risk factor for mental disorders. Objective Identify the prevalence of BID, and compare anthropometric and mental health parameters between individuals satisfied and dissatisfied with their body image. Method A total of 140 university students completed the silhouette scale to screen for BID. Anthropometric measures, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage (BFP) were used. To investigate mental health, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI-S and STAI-T), Profile of Mood States (POMS) scale and Quality of Life (QOL-36) questionnaire were used to investigate mental health. The Student’s t-test was applied to compare anthropometric and mental health parameters. Results 67.1% of university students exhibited BID. There was a significant difference (p = 0.041) in BF and WC (p = 0.048) between dissatisfied and satisfied individuals. With respect to mood states, significant differences were observed for anger (p = 0.014), depression (p = 0.011), hostility (p = 0.006), fatigue (p = 0.013), mental confusion (p = 0.021) and total mood disturbance (TMD) (p = 0.001). The mental aspect of QOL was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in satisfied university students compared to their dissatisfied counterparts. Conclusion BID was high and it seems to be influenced by anthropometric measures related to the amount and distribution of body fat. This dissatisfaction may have a negative effect on the quality of life and mood state of young adults.
- Ies we can: web-based gamified learning for social entrepreneurship and innovationPublication . Coelho, Tiago; Campos, Carlos; Simões-Silva, Vitor; Simões De Almeida, Raquel; Trigueiro, Maria J.In the Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation course of the Occupational Therapy degree (School of Health, Polytechnic University of Porto) a gamification method was employed to complement the teaching-learning process.