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- Integrating cognitive factors and eye movement data in reading predictive models for children with Dyslexia and ADHD-IPublication . Pereira, Norberto; Costa, Maria Armanda; Guerreiro, ManuelaThis study reports on several specific neurocognitive processes and eye-tracking predictors of reading outcomes for a sample of children with Developmental Dyslexia (DD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – inattentive subtype (ADHD-I) compared to typical readers. Participants included 19 typical readers, 21 children diagnosed with ADHD-I and 19 children with DD. All participants were attending 4th grade and had a mean age of 9.08 years. The psycholinguistic profile of each group was assessed using a battery of neuropsychological and linguistic tests. Participants were submitted to a silent reading task with lexical manipulation of the text. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the predictive capability of developing dyslexia or ADHD-I based on the following measures: (a) a linguistic model that included measures of phonological awareness, rapid naming, and reading fluency and accuracy; (b) a cognitive neuropsychological model that included measures of memory, attention, visual processes, and cognitive or intellectual functioning, and (c) an additive model of lexical word properties with manipulation of word-frequency and word-length effects through eye-tracking. The additive model in conjunction with the neuropsychological model classification improved the prediction of who develops dyslexia or ADHD-I having as baseline normal readers. Several of the neuropsychological and eyetracking variables have power to predict the degree of reading outcomes in children with learning disabilities.
- The impact of a rectal spacer in VMAT Dosimetry in the treatment of Prostate CancerPublication . Oliveira, Susana; Fernandes, Ruben; Baylina, Pilar; Santos, João; Vieira, Guy; Faria, Isabel; Pereira, Norberto; Fernandes, Rúben; BAYLINA MACHADO, PILAR; Sousa Pinho Faria, Isabel MariaAlthough the dosimetric advantages of rectal spacers in prostate cancer radiotherapy have been demonstrated in selected clinical trials, real-world data from routine clinical practice remain limited—particularly within the Portuguese healthcare system. This study offers a detailed dosimetric comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), with and without rectal spacer use, in a real-world patient cohort, aiming to assess the clinical relevance of spacer insertion under standard treatment protocols. A retrospective dosimetric evaluation was performed on 80 prostate cancer patients treated at a radiotherapy centre in southern Portugal. Patients were equally divided into two matched groups (n = 40): one receiving VMAT alone, the other receiving VMAT with hydrogel rectal spacer placement. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were analysed for the planning target volume (PTV) and key organs at risk (OARs). Standard dosimetric metrics, such as V50–V75 for the rectum and bladder, V50 for femoral heads, and mean dose for the penile bulb, were assessed. PTV coverage was evaluated using conformity and homogeneity indices. Spacer use significantly decreased rectal dose exposure across all evaluated parameters without compromising PTV coverage or increasing dose to other OARs. These findings support routine rectal spacer applications to enhance treatment safety and patient outcomes.
- Towards an automated approach for understanding problematic gamingPublication . Afonso, Ana Paula; Fonseca, Manuel J.; Cardoso, Joana; Vázquez, BeltránVideo games have become increasingly popular worldwide, attracting billions of gamers across diverse demographics. While studies have highlighted their potential benefits, concerns about problematic gaming behaviors have also emerged. Conditions such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) have been recognized by major health organizations, necessitating accurate diagnostic tools. However, existing methods, primarily reliant on self-report questionnaires, face challenges in accuracy and consistency. This paper proposes a novel technological approach to provide gaming behavior indicators, aiming to offer precise insights into gamer behavior and emotion regulation. To attain this objective, we investigate quantifiable gaming behavior metrics using automated, unobtrusive, and easily accessible methods. Our approach encompasses the analysis of behavioral telemetry data collected from online gaming platforms and incorporates automated extraction of gamer emotional states from face video recordings during gameplay. To illustrate the metrics and visualizations and demonstrate our method’s application we collected data from two amateur and two professional gamers, all of whom played Counter-Strike2 on PC. Our approach offers objective insights into ingame gamer behavior, helping health professionals in the identification of patterns that may be difficult to discern through traditional assessment methods. Preliminary assessments of the proposed methodology demonstrate its potential usefulness in providing valuable insights about gaming behavior and emotion regulation. By leveraging automated data collection and visualization analysis techniques, our approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of gamer behavior, which could enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform interventions for individuals at risk of problematic gaming behaviors. Our findings demonstrate the valuable insights obtainable from a tool that collects telemetry data, emotion regulation metrics, and gaming patterns. This tool, utilizing specific indicators, can support healthcare professionals in diagnosing IGD and tracking therapeutic progress, potentially addressing challenges linked to conventional IGD assessment methods. Furthermore, this initial data can provide therapists with detailed information on each player’s problematic behaviors and gaming habits, enabling the development of personalized treatments tailored to individual needs. Future research endeavors will focus on refining the methodology and extending its application in clinical settings to facilitate more comprehensive diagnostic practices and tailored interventions for individuals at risk of problematic gaming behaviors.
- N170 in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Systematic reviewPublication . Barroso, Beatriz C. R.; Vieira, Luísa; Pinto, Joana O.; Almeida, Rita; Pinto, Joana OAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seems to encompass impaired emotional recognition and face processing, whose underlying mechanisms are yet to be uncovered. The N170 is an event-related potential sensitive to facial expressions, being often associated with perception and attention. Thus, this work aims to summarise and meta-analyse the literature focused on N170 modulation by ADHD. Empirical studies measuring N170 in both ADHD and healthy individuals were identified following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis. Fourteen studies were included in the review. Eight studies were meta-analysed and no overall significant results were found between healthy and ADHD individuals. Moderation analysis by valence revealed no differences between groups for positive and negative valence. Neutral valence yielded more negative N170 amplitudes in ADHD than in healthy individuals. Altogether, findings suggest that neurophysiological processing of emotional faces is generally unimpaired in ADHD individuals. Further, it may be that ambiguous faces’ processing is more demanding in individuals with ADHD. Limitations of the included studies are the variability of the tasks employed and the lacking information about the specific symptoms and medication washout. Directions for future studies are discussed.
- Performance of older adults with and without neurocognitive impairment in the auditory verbal learning test: A systematic review and meta-analysisPublication . Pinto, Joana O.; Barroso, Beatriz C. R.; Peixoto, Bruno; Barbosa, FernandoThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize the performance of older adults with and without neurocognitive impairment on the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Specifically, the study seeks to characterize the main features of AVLT versions used in older populations, identify the most frequently assessed psychometric measures and process-based indices, and evaluate how varying levels of neurocognitive impairment affect AVLT scores. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO and was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 44 studies were included in the review, with 42 included in the meta-analysis. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g, and moderation and meta-regression analyses were performed. The most reported version was the Rey AVLT with 15-word lists, five learning trials, and a 20-minute delay interval. Process-based indices were underreported. Individuals with neurocognitive disorders (ND) showed significantly lower AVLT scores than healthy controls, with performance worsening in line with ND severity, particularly in delayed recall. Differences in Mini-Mental State Examination scores significantly moderated total learning effect sizes, while age significantly moderated recognition hits. The AVLT, particularly delayed recall, may be a robust tool for distinguishing among normal aging, mild and major ND. However, variability in AVLT administration reduces the diagnostic potential of AVLT. The diagnostic potential of process-based indices has not been explored adequately. Future research should prioritize the standardization of AVLT protocols and the integration of process-based indices to maximize its clinical utility in detecting and tracking neurocognitive decline
- Development and validation of a Portuguese psychologist's empathy scale: A pilot studyPublication . Cruz, Márcia; Grilo, Ana; Custódio, Susana; Dores, Artemisa R.; Silva, Carina; Alves, Paulo; Dores, ArtemisaThe systematic assessment of empathy is essential for identifying psychologists' competencies and developmental needs, ultimately contributing to more effective clinical practice. Given the multidimensional nature of empathy, comprehensive evaluation requires consideration of its cognitive, affective, and behavioural dimensions. How ever, no existing instrument is specifically validated to assess psychologists' self-perceived empathy in clinical contexts. To address this limitation, the present pilot study aimed to develop and undertake a preliminarily validation of the Portuguese Psychologists' Empathy Scale (PPES), a self-report instrument designed to assess empathy among psychologists working in Portuguese-speaking contexts across these three components. The study proceeded in two phases: item construction and initial psychometric testing. A total of 106 Portuguese psychologists completed a 57-item Likert-type instrument. Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant (χ2 (45) = 811.56, p < .001), and the KMO index (0.73) indicated moderate adequacy for factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three core factors explaining 48% of the total variance, with strong internal consistency. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis supported model refinement, leading to the removal of items with low factor loadings. The final PPES comprises 43 items distributed across cognitive (16), affective (16), and behavioural (11) dimensions. The findings provide encouraging preliminary evidence for the PPES, demon strating robust internal consistency and acceptable initial factorial validity. Nevertheless, further studies using independent samples and external validation procedures are required to fully establish its psychometric soundness and clinical applicability with Portuguese-speaking psychologists.
- Deep technologies and safer gambling: A systematic reviewPublication . Cardoso, Leonor G.; Barroso, Beatriz C. R.; Piccoli, Gloria; Peixoto, Miguel; Morgado, Pedro; Marques, António; Rocha, Carla; Griffiths, Mark D.; Queirós, Ricardo; Dores, Artemisa; Pereira da Silva Marques, António José; de Faria Távora Moreira Peixoto, MiguelDeep technologies combine engineering innovation and scientific findings to solve complex problems and are becoming particularly relevant to the gambling industry. With the global rise of gambling practices and the subsequent increase of gambling-related problems and disorders, deep technologies have emerged as a way to create safer online gambling environments. However, there is still limited knowledge regarding their applica bility and consequences. The present study systematically reviewed the existing literature on deep technologies in gambling environments, such as online casinos and betting platforms, and explored their potential benefits, risks, and effectiveness in promoting safer gambling experiences. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were conducted in Web of Sci ence, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and IEEE databases, and manually. A total of sixty-eight studies were included in the review. In general, four primary applications of deep technologies in online settings were found: (i) behavioural monitoring and feedback; (ii) predictive risk modelling; (iii) decision support and AI classifiers; and (iv) limit-setting/self-exclusion tools. They were primarily used to identify and classify problematic gambling, prompt individual action, regulate gambling behaviours, raise awareness of risk levels, promote responsible gambling practices, support research, interventions, and evaluate player protection initiatives. Together, the findings suggest that deep technologies offer ample opportunities to enhance gambler safety and reduce potential risks, although challenges may arise from their implementation, such as privacy and ethical concerns, malicious data use, misclassification of risk levels, and difficulties in large-scale application. Limitations and directions for future studies are discussed
- Preliminary results on the efficacy of a neurocognitive training programme with multisensory integration in Major Neurocognitive DisorderPublication . Pinto, Joana O.; Dores, Artemisa R.; Peixoto, Bruno; Barbosa, Fernando; Dores, Artemisa; Pinto, Joana ONeurocognitive training was associated with positive effects on global neurocognition in patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorders (ND). However, despite evidence linking sensory deficits to neurocognitive dysfunction in the older population, no prior intervention has targeted neurocognition, including the sensation domain. To explore the efficacy of neurocognitive training with a multisensory integration (MI) component, a sample of 110 older adults was recruited from both daycare centers and nursing homes. Of these, 46 were diagnosed with mild to moderate Major ND and completed a neuropsychological assessment protocol at pre-, post-intervention, and at a 4-month follow-up. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: NeuroRi, a hands-on neurocognitive training programme; NeuroRi with a MI component; NeuronUP a technology-based programme; and passive control group. All but the passive group completed two sessions per week with neurocognitive tasks for four months. Although this is a pilot study, the preliminary results suggest that combining NeuroRi with MI may offer potential benefits across several neurocognitive domains, including sensory-perceptual functioning in mild to moderate Major ND. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the complex design of the study. This work provides recommendations for the neurocognitive intervention, from planning to assessing meaningful changes, while recognizing the limitations of the study and the need for further research to confirm these preliminary results.
- Mental health and lifestyle factors among higher education students: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Rodrigues, Andreia; Tavares, Sofia; Barreto, João F.; Marques, António; Trigueiro, Maria João; Simões de Almeida, Raquel; Barreto, João Francisco; Pereira da Silva Marques, António José; Trigueiro, Maria JoãoThis study aimed to describe the lifestyle factors and mental health levels among higher education students and identify their predictors. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 745 students was conducted with students from the Polytechnic of Porto using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE)-18, and FANTASTICO Lifestyle Questionnaire. The findings indicate that while students generally exhibited a positive lifestyle, they also experienced mild levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, nearing the moderate threshold. The DASS-21 Depression subscale was a significant predictor of both CORE-18 and FANTASTICO scores, underscoring the strong relationship between depression and overall well-being. Anxiety and stress were also predictors of CORE-18 scores, reflecting the negative impact of stress on students’ psychological well-being. Perceived health status and the male sex were associated with better outcomes on the DASS-21 and CORE-18, while the female sex predicted a healthier lifestyle, as measured by FANTASTICO. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions that address mental health and promote healthy lifestyle choices in educational settings.
- Reading fluency of higher education studentsPublication . Sucena, Ana; Marques, Cátia; Silva, Ana; Carneiro, João Falcão; Sucena, AnaThe literature that links career development with reading skills is scarce. This study seeks to fill this gap, for which the reading f luency of college students was analyzed, taking into account the choice of more/less desirable courses. Desirability is based on the classifications for college access. 211 students participated in the study, 132 female, attending four courses: Mechanical Engineering, Health, Psychology, and Education, in three Portuguese Public Universities. The instruments used were the sociodemographic form and the Teste de Idade de Leitura (Reading Age Test – TIL). The results indicated that students attending less desirable courses (i.e., Education and Health) are significantly less fluent and; students who score lower on reading fluency are more likely to belong to the Education course. This study stresses the importance of the distribution of students by the different areas of studies should not reflect reading fluency asymmetries.