Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Relationship Between Social Cognition And Social Behavior Of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using The Ucla Peers® For Young Adults Social Skill Program, Meaghan Balsdon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that social communication impairments are a defining and persistent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Social communication consists of what an individual knows about social skills (i.e., social cognition) and how they observably respond in social situations (i.e., social behavior). It is difficult to gain a comprehensive assessment of social communication because social cognition assessments are prone to inaccuracies due to poor metacognitive skills in individuals with ASD (DeBrabander et al., 2021; Cederlund et al., 2010; Vickerstaff et al., 2006). Inaccurate reporting of social cognition leads to potential discrepancies in observable …

Effects Of Acute Exercise Intensity On Source Episodic Memory: Considerations By Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Brandon Thomas Rigdon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prior research suggests that behavioral (e.g., acute exercise) and psychological factors (e.g., metamemory; monitoring and control of one’s memory processes) may influence memory function. However, there is conflicting results on the optimal intensity of acute exercise to enhance memory and whether acute exercise can also enhance metamemory. Further, very limited research has evaluated whether acute exercise can influence source episodic memory. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is an intensity-specific effect of acute aerobic exercise on source episodic memory and metamemory accuracy. A secondary objective was to evaluate if cardiorespiratory fitness moderates this potential relationship. …

Pain, Severity, And Attentional Capacity Following Acute Musculoskeletal Injury, Rebekah F. Roessler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: As recreational activities grow in popularity, there is a concurrent rise in musculoskeletal injury. Injury severity is determined through clinical evaluation and defined by a grading scale. Pain is included in the definition of each injury grade, despite the lack of any conclusive evidence relating injury severity and the associated pain. Additionally, previous studies report impairments in cognitive performance due to chronic and acute pain. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the perceived pain intensity and the clinically diagnosed severity of an acute musculoskeletal injury, and to determine if attentional capacity is influenced by …

Effects Of Natural Antioxidants On Motor And Cognitive Deficits In An Animal Model Of Aging And Obesity And Dopaminergic-Like Sh-Sy5y Cell Line, Sneha Potdar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aging is a universal phenomenon. One of the greatest challenges faced by the elderly population is to sustain a healthy standard of living. Advancing age is associated with increased motor and cognitive deficits. Loss of balance, falls, hip fractures, and poor memory all contribute to a decline in the quality of life of the aging population. While ongoing research is making advances to find therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, there is a pressing need to address deficits associated with normal aging.

Increase in oxidative stress and a decline of antioxidant mechanisms with aging have been …

Prospective Studies Of Cardiovascular Risk Factors And Mild Cognitive Impairment, Kevin Sullivan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The association of cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, kidney function, and arterial stiffness with cognitive impairment in older adults is a well-studied phenomenon. However, there is considerably less evidence relating cardiovascular health specifically to a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). As a precursor state of dementia, MCI is characterized by a decline in cognitive function from previous level, but not to the degree that activities of daily living are impaired. Not everyone who is diagnosed with MCI will eventually transition to dementia, but the transition rates are much higher compared to the general population (5-15% per year …

Dose-Response Association Between Acute Exercise Duration, Exercise Recovery And Cognitive Function, Elizabeth Ann Crush

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies have shown moderate intensity exercise to be a desired intensity level to optimize cognitive function, however, this research has mostly been conducted among older adults despite the claim that cognitive function may start to decline in the early years (i.e., 20s). Another research gap within this population is our limited understanding of the effects of different exercise durations and recovery periods on cognitive function. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different exercise durations and recovery periods on cognition using a treadmill-based protocol. In a counterbalanced, cross-over randomized controlled design, 352 participants, ages …

The Effect Of Acute Pain On Executive Function, Jenna M. Morogiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Executive functions are high-level cognitive processes that allow a person to successfully engage in an independent and self-fulfilling life. Previous literature indicates that acute pain can affect executive function, which may be due to a limited amount of shared neural resources of the brain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if acute pain affects executive function in recreationally active individuals who sustain a musculoskeletal injury.

Methodology: Twenty-four participants who presented with acute pain due to a musculoskeletal injury underwent a neuropsychological battery within 72 hours of injury and within two weeks from the initial testing session. …

Identifying Cognitive And Postural Deficits Through Re-Baseline Evaluations, Brian J. Mizeski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Baseline evaluations provide vital information for clinicians, as they are a representation of an athlete’s healthy clinical state. It has been recommended when an athlete sustain a concussion, they be administered a re-baseline evaluation, as the effects of a single concussion are not well documented. Limited literature was found which examines re-baseline examinations following a concussion. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cognitive and postural deficits, in athletes who sustained a concussion, at the conclusion of the athletic season. Methods: 38 concussed athletes (CONC) were matched on sport and gender with 38 healthy …

Perceived Social Support And Self-Care In Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure, Lyne Chamberlain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care. Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of heart failure, and to compare these characteristics with a study of ambulatory patients with heart failure. In addition, to assess the relationship …

The Effects Of Phosphatidylserine On Reaction Time And Cognitive Function Following An Exercise Stress, Adam John Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an endogenously occurring phospholipid that has been shown to have cognition and mood enhancing properties in humans, possibly through its role as an enzyme co-factor in cellular signal transduction. Specifically, PS has been identified as activator of classical isoforms of protein kinase C, an enzyme known to be involved in the growth and differentiation of neural cells, and is therefore thought to play a role in the protection of neurons. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supplementation with PS and caffeine on measures of cognition, reaction time and mood prior to and …

Cohort Study Of Pain Behaviors In The Elderly Residing In Skilled Nursing Care, Allison Burfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An integral concern across care settings is the prompt intervention for patients suffering with pain. Long-term care (LTC) settings present with unique challenges to assess and manage pain in resident populations. Pain assessment is especially challenging, because residents have varying degrees of cognition to communicate their pain, and clinician/staff knowledge of pain symptoms may be lacking. The purpose of this research was to improve the measurement of pain and outcomes of care for the elderly residing in skilled nursing care, especially those with cognitive-impairment. The specific aims of this study were to: 1) Determine the magnitude of the relationship between …