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The impact of the Internet across multiple aspects of modern society is clear. However, the influence that it may have on our brain structure and functioning remains a central topic of investigation. Here we draw on recent psychological, psychiatric and neuroimaging findings to examine several key hypotheses on how the Internet may be changing our cognition. Specifically, we explore how unique features of the online world may be influencing: a) attentional capacities, as the constantly evolving stream of online information encourages our divided attention across multiple media sources, at the expense of sustained concentration; b) memory processes, as this vast and ubiquitous source of online information begins to shift the way we retrieve, store, and even value knowledge; and c) social cognition, as the ability for online social settings to resemble and evoke real-world social processes creates a new interplay between the Internet and our social lives, including our self-concepts and self-esteem. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the Internet can produce both acute and sustained alterations in each of these areas of cognition, which may be reflected in changes in the brain. However, an emerging priority for future research is to determine the effects of extensive online media usage on cognitive development in youth, and examine how this may differ from cognitive outcomes and brain impact of uses of Internet in the elderly. We conclude by proposing how Internet research could be integrated into broader research settings to study how this unprecedented new facet of society can affect our cognition and the brain across the life course.
Objective: Physical activity interventions have been shown to improve the health of people with schizophrenia, yet treatment dropout poses an important challenge in this population, and rates vary substantially across studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence and predictors of treatment dropout in physical activity interventions in people with schizophrenia. Method: We systematically searched major electronic databases from inception until August 2015. Randomized controlled trials of physical activity interventions in people with schizophrenia reporting dropout rates were included. Two independent authors conducted searches and extracted data. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression analyses were conducted. Results: In 19 studies, 594 patients with schizophrenia assigned to exercise interventions were investigated (age=37.2 years, 67.5% male, range=37.5%-100%). Trim and fill adjusted treatment dropout rate was 26.7% [95% confidence interval (CI)=19.7%-35.0%], which is more than double than in nonactive control interventions (odds ratio=2.15, 95% CI=1.29-3.58, P=.003). In the multivariate regression, qualification of the professional delivering the intervention (beta=-1.06, 95% CI=-1.77 to - 0.35, P=.003) moderated treatment dropout rates, while continuous supervision of physical activity approached statistical significance (P=.05). Conclusions: Qualified professionals (e.g., physical therapists/ exercise physiologists) should prescribe supervised physical activity for people with schizophrenia to enhance adherence, improve psychiatric symptoms and reduce the onset and burden of cardiovascular disease. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PURPOSE: Worsening of schizophrenia symptoms is related to stress and anxiety. People with schizophrenia often experience difficulties in coping with stress and possess a limited repertoire of coping strategies. A randomised comparative trial was undertaken in patients with schizophrenia to evaluate changes in state anxiety, psychological stress and subjective well-being after single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise compared with a control condition.METHOD: Forty participants performed a single 30-min yoga session, 20-min of aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometre at self-selected intensity and a 20-min no exercise control condition in random order.
RESULTS: After single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder showed significantly decreased state anxiety (p < 0.0001), decreased psychological stress (p < 0.0001) and increased subjective well-being (p < 0.0001) compared to a no exercise control condition. Effect sizes ranged from 0.82 for psychological stress after aerobic exercise to 1.01 for state anxiety after yoga. The magnitude of the changes did not differ significantly between yoga and aerobic exercise.
CONCLUSION: People with schizophrenia and physiotherapists can choose either yoga or aerobic exercise in reducing acute stress and anxiety taking into account the personal preference of each individual.
PURPOSE: Worsening of schizophrenia symptoms is related to stress and anxiety. People with schizophrenia often experience difficulties in coping with stress and possess a limited repertoire of coping strategies. A randomised comparative trial was undertaken in patients with schizophrenia to evaluate changes in state anxiety, psychological stress and subjective well-being after single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise compared with a control condition.METHOD: Forty participants performed a single 30-min yoga session, 20-min of aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometre at self-selected intensity and a 20-min no exercise control condition in random order.
RESULTS: After single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder showed significantly decreased state anxiety (p < 0.0001), decreased psychological stress (p < 0.0001) and increased subjective well-being (p < 0.0001) compared to a no exercise control condition. Effect sizes ranged from 0.82 for psychological stress after aerobic exercise to 1.01 for state anxiety after yoga. The magnitude of the changes did not differ significantly between yoga and aerobic exercise.
CONCLUSION: People with schizophrenia and physiotherapists can choose either yoga or aerobic exercise in reducing acute stress and anxiety taking into account the personal preference of each individual.