Search Results (701)

This study introduces a hybrid Brain–Computer (BCI) system with a robust and secure activation mechanism between sessions, aiming to minimize the negative effects of visual stimulus-based BCI systems on user eye health. The system is based on the integration of Electroencephalography (EEG) signals and Electrooculography (EOG) artefacts, and includes an LED stimulus operating at a frequency of 7 Hz for safe activation and objects moving in different directions. While the LED functions as an activation switch that reduces visual fatigue caused by traditional visual stimuli, moving objects provide command generation depending on the user’s intention. In order to evaluate the stability of the system against physiological and psychological conditions, data were collected from 15 participants in two different sessions. The Correlation Alignment (CORAL) method was applied to the data to reduce the variance between sessions and to increase stability. A Bootstrap Aggregating algorithm was used in the classification processes, and with the CORAL method, the system accuracy rate was increased from 81.54% to 94.29%. Compared to similar BCI approaches, the proposed system offers a safe activation mechanism that effectively adapts to users’ changing cognitive states throughout the day by reducing visual fatigue, despite using a low number of EEG channels, and demonstrates its practicality and effectiveness by performing on par or superior to other systems in terms of high accuracy and robust stability. Full article

Bariatric surgery is a highly effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of severe obesity, but it carries significant risks, both in the short and long terms. However, many of these complications can be avoided by appropriate patient selection, comprehensive assessment of clinical conditions, and structured follow-up including clinical, nutritional, and psychological monitoring. Achieving these objectives requires a meticulous program involving the entire multidisciplinary team and lays the foundations for proper patient compliance. Furthermore, recent studies have begun to explore the systemic effects of bariatric–metabolic surgery, with benefits extending far beyond simple weight loss and effects on both morbidity and mortality. Research has documented improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, insulin sensitivity, and hormonal balance, with substantial effects on the three main comorbidities of obesity: cardiovascular risk and hypertension, T2DM, and OSAS. In conclusion, bariatric surgery, while highly effective in treating severe obesity and its comorbidities, involves significant anatomical and physiological changes that alter nutrient absorption and digestion. These changes can lead to a number of short-, medium-, and long-term nutritional complications that require close monitoring and targeted dietary interventions. Full article

Objectives: The present study analyzes the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program based on the Tabata method on physiological and psychological variables in contemporary dancers (n = 10) and sedentary individuals (n = 8), who performed a 10-week protocol, with sessions of self-loading exercises structured in intervals of 20 s of effort and 10 s of rest three times a week. Methods: Parameters of body composition, muscle strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, heart rate variability, as well as perceptions of health, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and levels of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle were evaluated. Results: The results showed that no significant changes occurred in most body composition variables, except for visceral fat, where group differences were observed (F = 5.66, p = 0.030, η²ₚ = 0.261). In the indicators of strength and power, the dancers improved the height and relative power of the jump (F = 5.996, p = 0.026, η²ₚ = 0.273), while the sedentary ones increased the strength of the handgrip (p = 0.023). In terms of functional performance, both groups significantly increased anaerobic endurance (F = 10.374, p = 0.005, η²ₚ = 0.393), although no changes were recorded in maximal oxygen consumption or heart rate variability (p > 0.05). On a psychological level, improvements in healthy lifestyle habits and a decrease in the trait anxiety variable were evidenced in dancers (p = 0.023), while in sedentary participants no relevant effects were found. Conclusions: In conclusion, the Tabata protocol may represent an efficient and complementary strategy to enhance strength, anaerobic power, and psychological well-being, particularly among dancers. The observed improvements suggest potential benefits related to movement quality, injury prevention, and general physical conditioning. Full article

Background: The majority of injuries among older adults occur due to unexpected and sudden incidents in the home environment. This study aimed to develop a protocol for the design of the health belief model-based program for preventing unintentional home injuries in older adults and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Methods: The study proposed in this protocol, Safety and Home Injury Prevention for Seniors (SHIPs), is a single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 54 Korean older adults (≥65 years) will be randomly assigned to either (1) the intervention group (n = 27), which will receive the SHIPs program, or (2) the control group (n = 27), which will attend four lecture-only sessions. The efficacy of the program will be assessed via tests performed at baseline, 1 week after program completion, and 1 month after program completion, and analyses of the changes in injury occurrences, risk factors, preventive behaviors, beliefs about safety and injury prevention, psychological health, physiological function, and health-related quality of life. Expected Results: The SHIPs intervention is expected to reduce home injuries and enhance awareness and preventive behaviors among community-dwelling older adults. It may also improve their physical and psychological health and overall quality of life. Conclusions: The SHIPs intervention may serve as an effective community-based strategy to promote injury prevention and improve the overall well-being of older adults. Full article

Background: Psychophysical well-being, understood as the integrated balance between physical and psychological health, is essential for both personal quality of life and academic performance. Among emerging strategies to support emotional balance and cognitive functioning, active breaks, brief physical activity sessions during study or work, are gaining recognition for their effectiveness. This pilot study explored the impact of active breaks on psychological, cognitive, and physiological variables in a sample of business students, aiming to evaluate their role in enhancing resilience, decision-making, well-being, and autonomic regulation. Methods: An experimental design was used, with students divided into two groups: the experimental group engaged in daily active breaks for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their regular routines. Psychometric assessments (CD-RISC, DMC Test, PSS, and Stroop Test) and physiological measures (HRV and HRR) were administered before and after the intervention. Results: The findings showed significant improvements in psychological resilience, decision-making ability, and psychophysical well-being in the experimental group. Cognitive performance also improved, as indicated by better Stroop Test scores. Physiologically, increases in heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) suggested enhanced autonomic balance and stress regulation. Conclusions: Active breaks offer a simple and effective strategy to promote students’ holistic well-being—encompassing both psychological and cognitive dimensions—thereby preparing future professionals to manage stress and maintain performance in high-demand environments. Full article

Acute stress impairs executive functions, and these higher-order cognitive processes are often positively associated with intelligence. Even though intelligence is generally stable over time, performance in an intelligence test can be influenced by a variety of factors, including psychological processes like motivation or attention. For instance, test anxiety has been shown to correlate with individual differences in intelligence test performance, and theoretical accounts exist for causality in both directions. However, the potential impact of acute stress before or during an intelligence test remains elusive. Here, in a research context, we investigated the effects of test anxiety and acute stress as well as their interaction on performance in the short version of the Intelligence Structure Test 2000 in its German version (I-S-T 2000 R). Forty male participants completed two sessions scheduled 28 days apart, with the order counterbalanced across participants. In both sessions, participants underwent either the socially evaluated cold-pressor test (SECPT) or a non-stressful control procedure, followed by administration of I-S-T 2000 R (parallelized versions on both days). The SECPT is a widely used laboratory paradigm that elicits a stress response through the combination of psychosocial and physical components. Trait test anxiety scores were obtained via the German Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI-G). Stress induction was successful as indicated by physiological and subjective markers, including salivary cortisol concentrations. We applied linear mixed models to investigate the effects of acute stress (elicited by our stress manipulation) and test anxiety on the intelligence quotient (IQ). The analysis revealed that neither factor had a significant effect, nor was there a significant interaction between them. Consistent with these findings, Bayesian analyses provided evidence supporting the absence of these effects. Notably, IQ scores increased significantly from the first to the second testing day. These results suggest that neither test anxiety nor stress is significantly impacting intelligence test performance. However, improvements due to repeated testing call for caution, both in scientific and clinical settings. Full article

University campus teaching areas are essential spaces for students’ daily learning and recovery, in which soundscapes play a crucial role in shaping restorative experiences. This study aimed to explore the restorative effects of soundscapes in campus teaching areas and the factors influencing these effects. Field surveys, psychological assessments, and physiological experiments were conducted to evaluate restorative perceptions, which were characterized by three dimensions: Attractiveness, Coherence, and Being Away. The findings indicate that both the visual environment and acoustic characteristics significantly shaped restorative outcomes. Natural landscapes, particularly green areas and waterscapes, enhanced the restorative potential of soundscapes, while natural sounds, such as birdsong, fountain sound, and rustling leaves, were perceived as more restorative. In contrast, traffic noise, crowd noise, and class bell sound reduced restorative perceptions. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) played a critical role, with the higher SNR values of birdsong relative to traffic noise being associated with stronger restorative effects. These results suggest that campus soundscape design should prioritize green landscapes, introduce or amplify natural sounds, and optimize the SNR of restorative sounds. Overall, this research provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for designing healthier campus environments that foster students’ recovery and well-being. Full article

Driver fatigue and negative emotions are significant factors contributing to traffic accidents. In-vehicle fragrance, as a fatigue intervention strategy, can help improve drivers’ mental and emotional states, preventing accidents. However, there is a lack of systematic research on how different fragrance types and release methods affect drivers’ fatigue and emotional development. Forty healthy drivers (mean age: 31 years, gender balanced) participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one group tested three different fragrance types (HINOKI, GRASSY, YUZU), and the other group tested three fragrance release methods (CR: continuous release, IR: intermittent release, and PR: pulse release). All participants completed a simulated driving task under specified in-vehicle fragrance management conditions. Subjective fatigue ratings and emotional self-assessments (POMS) were used to assess changes in fatigue and emotions, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured to evaluate physiological changes. Compared to no intervention, fragrance intervention significantly reduced drivers’ subjective fatigue ratings, with the continuous release mode showing a more pronounced reduction in fatigue scores. Fragrance intervention effectively improved heart rate variability, with significant differences observed between release modes. The fragrance intervention also had a significant effect on emotional ratings, notably increasing vigor and reducing negative emotions such as tension and anxiety. The impact of fragrance type on fatigue scores, HRV, and emotional ratings was limited, suggesting that the effectiveness of fragrance intervention may depend more on the intensity and release mode of the intervention rather than the fragrance type. Fragrance intervention effectively reduces driver fatigue and improves emotional states, with the continuous release mode showing the most significant effects. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for customizing in-vehicle fragrance release strategies to alleviate fatigue and improve emotional well-being in individuals engaged in long-duration driving tasks, with significant implications for the management of drivers’ mental and psychological health. Full article

Background: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a nociplastic pain condition characterized by altered central nervous system pain processing, significantly impacting patient quality of life. Pharmacological management often involves amitriptyline (monotherapy) and aripiprazole (for refractory cases) in Japan. However, the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in BMS frequently exhibits a non-sigmoid (U-shaped or bell-shaped) dose–response relationship, indicating a clinically effective dose that is often considerably lower than those used for their primary indications and challenging conventional pharmacological assumptions. Method: This paper synthesizes existing pharmacological knowledge to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the non-dose-dependent actions of amitriptyline and aripiprazole in BMS. It focuses on their specific interactions with key neurotransmitter systems and receptors, particularly N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and dopamine D2 receptors, to explain the observed non-linear dose–response and the importance of identifying a personalized therapeutic window. Result: Amitriptyline demonstrates efficacy in BMS at low doses (e.g., 25 mg), primarily through its action as an NMDA receptor antagonist via calcium-dependent desensitization and open-channel block, addressing central sensitization. Its effects are distinct from its antidepressant actions, and the “serotonin paradox” highlights the complexity of serotonin’s role in pain. Aripiprazole, utilized for refractory BMS, acts as a dopamine D2 receptor partial agonist, leading to a non-linear dose–response where sustained therapeutic effect is observed at specific low doses (e.g., 1.7–1.8 mg/day). This non-linearity is attributed to partial agonism, alongside interactions with serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. The general non-dose-dependency for both drugs is further explained by phenomena such as multiple binding sites with differing affinities, receptor desensitization/downregulation, activation of counter-regulatory mechanisms, and hormesis. Discussion: The observed non-linear dose–response curves for amitriptyline and aripiprazole in BMS underscore the inadequacy of a “one-size-fits-all” treatment approach. This necessitates a shift towards personalized medicine, which considers individual patient factors including pharmacogenomics, comorbidities, age, organ function, and psychological/social profiles. The true “personalized therapeutic window” is a balance between achieving significant pain relief and minimizing adverse effects, emphasizing careful titration and patient-centered care. Conclusions: The pharmacological actions of amitriptyline and aripiprazole in BMS are not linearly dose-dependent, but rather exhibit a personalized therapeutic window driven by complex interactions with NMDA and D2 receptors and adaptive physiological responses. This intricate pharmacological landscape mandates a personalized medicine approach to optimize treatment outcomes, improve patient adherence, and enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from this challenging nociplastic pain condition. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aging population faces a multitude of health challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining proper nutrition. Age-related physiological changes, such as decreased metabolism, diminished taste perception, and difficulty in chewing, can lead to insufficient nutrient intake, ultimately resulting in malnutrition. It is crucial to address these issues to promote not only physical health but also overall well-being. In this modern era, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including robots and machine learning algorithms, are being increasingly harnessed to encourage healthy eating habits among older adults. This is critical to support healthy aging and mitigate diet-related chronic diseases. However, little or no synthesis has established their effectiveness in delivering personalized, scalable, and adaptive interventions for older adults. This systematic review considers the state-of-the-art application of AI-based interventions aimed at improving dietary behaviors and nutritional outcomes in older adults. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a registered PROSPERO protocol (ID: CRD420241045268), we systematically analyzed 30 studies we collected from five databases, published between 2015 and 2025 based on different AI techniques, including machine learning, natural language processing, and recommender systems. We synthesized data collected from these studies to examine the intervention types, outcomes, and methodological approaches. Results: Findings from our review highlight the potential of AI-based interventions to promote engagement among older adults and improve adherence to healthy eating guidelines. Additionally, we found some challenges related to ethical concerns such as privacy and transparency, and limited evidence of their long-term effectiveness. Conclusions: AI-based interventions offer significant promise in promoting healthy eating among older adults through personalized, adaptive, and scalable interventions. Yet, current evidence is constrained by some methodological limitations and ethical concerns, which calls for future research to design inclusive, evidence-based AI interventions that address the unique physiological, psychological, and social needs of older adults. Full article

Autoimmune diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by the breakdown of immune tolerance to self-antigens. While genetic and environmental factors play key roles, growing evidence highlights chronic stress as a significant contributor to immune dysregulation through its impact on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis, primarily via cortisol secretion, serves as the major neuroendocrine mediator of stress responses, influencing both immune regulation and systemic homeostasis. This review synthesizes current literature on HPA axis physiology, the mechanisms of cortisol signaling, and the maladaptive effects of chronic stress. Emphasis is placed on clinical and experimental findings linking HPA dysfunction to immune imbalance and autoimmunity, as well as organ-specific consequences across neuroimmune, endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, integumentary, and musculoskeletal systems. Chronic stress leads to impaired HPA axis feedback, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, and paradoxical cortisol dysregulation, fostering a pro-inflammatory state. This dysregulation promotes cytokine imbalance, weakens protective immune mechanisms, and shifts the immune response toward autoimmunity. Evidence from both human and animal studies associates persistent HPA dysfunction with diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. HPA axis dysregulation under chronic stress constitutes a critical mechanistic link between psychological stress and autoimmune disease. Understanding these pathways provides opportunities for therapeutic interventions, including stress management, lifestyle modification, and neuroendocrine-targeted treatments. Future research should focus on multi-omics and longitudinal approaches to clarify the reversibility of HPA alterations and identify resilience factors. Full article

The influence of lighting color on food is a multidimensional process, linking visual interventions with people’s perception of food appearance, physiological responses, and psychological associations. This study, as a preliminary exploratory research, aims to initially investigate the effects of different lighting colors on food-induced consumer appetite and emotional perception. By measuring consumers’ physiological facial expression data, we verify whether the results are consistent with self-reported subjective evaluations. Questionnaires, Shapiro–Wilk tests, and one-sample t-tests were employed for data mining and cross-validation and combined with generalized facial expression recognition (GFER) technology to analyze participants’ emotional perceptions under various lighting colors. The results show that consumers displayed the most positive emotions and the highest appetite under 2700 K warm white light. Under this condition, the average intensity of participants’ “happy” emotion was 0.25 (SD = 0.12), indicating a clear positive emotional state. Eating willingness also reached its peak at 2700 K. In contrast, blue light-induced negative emotions and lower appetite. Among all lighting types, blue light evoked the strongest “sad” emotion (M = 0.39). This study provides a preliminary exploration of the theoretical framework regarding the relationship between food and consumer behavior, offering new perspectives for product marketing in the food industry and consumer food preference cognition. However, the generalizability of its conclusions still requires further verification in subsequent studies. Full article

Background and Objectives: Young people of all ages are now prematurely overexposed to a tech-addicted life, with negative psychological, physiological, sociological, and educational effects. Ease of access to and normalization of exposure to technology are indicated as the main causes of internet addiction and a mental health concern, especially in Romania, a country with widespread and easy access to the internet. Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional study with 132 participants investigated the relationship between emotional regulation difficulties (ERDs) and the risk of internet addiction (IA) among medical and technical students—two educational cultures defined by intense educational and emotional stress—with the aim of identifying specific patterns of variability. Standardized self-report data were collected, and specific descriptive and correlational statistical methods were used. Results: Key findings suggest similar moderate difficulty in emotional regulation for each student sample and normal-to-mild internet use for technical and medical students. A moderately strong Pearson correlation was observed between internet addiction and emotional regulation difficulties across the entire group of students (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). However, higher levels of emotional dysregulation and internet addiction risk were evident for the medical students. Conclusions: These results suggest that IA is closely linked to ERD rather than to the exposure to technology itself, as we presumed in the case of technical students. Moreover, medical students have a greater need for institutional support measures than their technical peers to cope with a highly challenging educational environment that exceeds individual levels of effective self-regulation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sleep is pivotal for recovery, immunity, and energy restoration; however, sleep problems exist in elite athletes. Nutrition and supplementation strategies can play both a positive and negative role in sleep quality and quantity. Elite athletes experience unique psychological and physiological demands above non-elite athletes and may require different nutrition strategies to promote sleep. Nutrient interventions and their effect on sleep in elite athletes is an emerging area, with further research warranted. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews and Joanna Brigg’s Institute Reviewer’s Manual for Scoping Reviews were utilised to assess the available evidence on nutrition strategies used to promote sleep in elite athlete cohorts, and we tried to identify the interventions that could be best researched in the future. NUtrition QUality Evaluation Strengthening Tools (NUQUEST) was used to enhance rigour and assess risk of bias in studies. The Paper to Podium (P2P) Matrix was used to offer practitioners practical recommendations. Results: 12 studies met the inclusion criteria for nutrition interventions or exposures to promote sleep in elite athletes. The median participant group size was 19 and study designs were considered together to ascertain potential sleep promoting strategies. Kiwifruit, Tart Cherry Juice and high dairy intake, limited to females, have demonstrated the highest potential to promote sleep in elite athletes, despite limited sample sizes. A-lactalbumin, carbohydrate pre-bed, casein, tryptophan, probiotic and meeting energy demands showed varying results on sleep quality in elite athletes. Conclusions: Kiwifruit, Tart Cherry Juice and dairy consumption offer potential nutritional interventions to promote sleep in elite athletic populations, while protein-based interventions may have a ceiling effect on sleep quality when elite athletes are already consuming >2.5 g·kg⁻¹ body mass (BM) or are already meeting their sleep duration needs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with cardiovascular morbidity, and depressive symptoms are common in affected individuals. Both OSA and depression have been linked to autonomic dysfunction, but the independent contribution of depressive symptoms to autonomic dysfunction in OSA remains unclear. We investigated whether depressive symptom severity is associated with autonomic function, indexed by heart-rate variability (HRV), in patients with OSA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1713 adults with OSA at a university-affiliated sleep center from 2011 to 2024. HRV was derived from electrocardiography during polysomnography, and frequency-domain indices (natural log-transformed LF, HF, VLF, TP, and LF/HF) were computed. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Associations between BDI-II and HRV indices were evaluated using univariable and multivariable linear regressions. Results: In univariable regression analyses, higher BDI-II scores were significantly associated with lower HRV indices (ln LF, ln HF, ln VLF, ln TP; all p < 0.01). In multivariable analyses, higher BDI-II scores were independently associated with lower ln LF, ln HF, and ln TP (all p < 0.05), adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, apnea–hypopnea index, arousal index, and sleep quality. Conclusions: Greater depressive symptom burden is independently associated with reductions in multiple HRV indices, suggesting attenuated parasympathetic activity and autonomic dysregulation in patients with OSA. These findings support integrated management strategies that address both physiological and psychological domains in OSA and motivate longitudinal studies to test whether effective depression treatment improves HRV and mitigates long-term cardiovascular risk. Full article