Browsing by Author "Maeneja, Reinaldo"
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- Aerobic physical exercise versus dual-task cognitive walking in cognitive rehabilitation of people with stroke: a randomized clinical trialPublication . Maeneja, Reinaldo; Silva, Cláudia R.; Ferreira, Inês S.; Abreu, Ana MariaIntroduction: Stroke is a neurological deficit caused by an acute focal injury to the central nervous system due to vascular injury that can result in loss of neurological function, lasting brain damage, long-term disability and, in some cases, death. The literature reports that aerobic physical exercise, as well as dual-task cognitive walking, are used for the cognitive recovery of people with stroke. We aimed to assess whether aerobic physical exercise influences post-stroke cognitive recovery, namely performance on selective and sustained attention. We tested the hypothesis that post-stroke aerobic physical exercise leads to more significant gains than post-stroke dual-task cognitive walking. Methods: We used a Randomized Clinical Trial, single-blind, parallel group, to verify the existence of differences between two groups. A total of 34 patients with subacute to chronic stroke were divided into two groups to train three times a week for 12 weeks: the aerobic physical exercise (PE) group engaged in 20 min on a treadmill, 20 min on a stationary bicycle and 5 min on a desk bike pedal exerciser per session; the dual-task (DT) gait exercise group walked for 45 min while simultaneously performing cognitive tasks per session. All participants were assessed on cognitive functioning with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and d2 Test of Attention before acute interventions and post interventions. We have also applied a Visual Analog Scale to monitor the participants’ perceived difficulty, pre-, post-acute, and post-chronic interventions. Participants also responded to a Borg Scale of perceived exertion following the acute and the final session of chronic training. Results: A mixed model ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect with a large effect size for most of the cognitive variables under study. The variables associated with the d2 Test of Attention showed significant differences between the groups, mainly from T0 to T2. Also for MMSE, an ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect with significant improvements from T0 to T2. Our results strongly suggest that aerobic physical exercise is more beneficial than dual-task cognitive-gait exercise since in the PE group, cognitive attention scores increase, and cognitive impairment and perception of exertion decrease, compared to the DT group. Conclusion: These findings support that PE provides more significant benefits for patients post-stroke when compared to DT.
- Cognitive benefits of exercise: is there a time-of-day effect?Publication . Maeneja, Reinaldo; Ferreira, Inês S.; Silva, Cláudia R.; Abreu, Ana MariaIt is well established that physical activity benefits cognition. Further, the time of day one engages in physical activity has been suggested to influence cognition. Here, we aimed to understand if there is a time-of-day effect (morning or afternoon) of physical activity on cognition, i.e., if exercising in the morning or afternoon might bring greater cognitive benefits. A total of 56 participants were allocated to one of two groups with the same baseline cognitive performance as well as fitness level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire—IPAQ): 27 to the morning intervention (M) group; and 29 to the afternoon intervention (A) group. In both groups, the participants engaged in an intermittent recovery test (Yo-yo), 4 times a week for 12 weeks. All participants were assessed with the d2 Test of Attention and the Borg scale of perceived exertion pre- and post- acute and chronic intervention. After the first bout of exercise and after 12 weeks, we observed cognitive improvements both in the M and A groups. Surprisingly, we do not find differences between the time of day regarding cognitive benefits. Our results do not support the existence of a time-of-day effect for the attentional cognitive benefits of exercise.
- Duration and efficiency of combined versus isolated aerobic training interventions in post-stroke cognition: a systematic reviewPublication . Maeneja, Reinaldo; Ferreira, Inês Saraiva; Abreu, Ana MariaBackground: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical activity on the cognition of patients with stroke, comparing the effectiveness of using isolated or combined rehabilitation, as well as the duration and intensity of training, to identify the characteristics of optimal training programs for post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation. Methods: For this systematic review, we followed PRISMA guidelines and searched Web of Science, Scopus, PEDRo, SPORTdiscus, PubMed, Trial Registries, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2013 and April 12, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions that measured the effect of physical activity on cognition in patients with stroke. We restricted our search to reports published in the English language. Evidence from the RCTs was synthesized. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: Of the 1,755 records identified, 34 were eligible, and data were available, with mainly low to moderate risk of general bias. The combined rehabilitation training programs proved more efficient when compared with isolated rehabilitation training programs in several cognitive domains. A moderate-intensity, 12-week intervention duration, with three weekly sessions, proved adequate. Discussion: It seems that combined rehabilitation training programs are efficient for patients with stroke as these alter neuroplastic conditions due to synergistic or additional onset of action. Future research should investigate combined rehabilitation training programs, with follow-up, to assess how long the recorded improvements last. The protocol of this study is registered in PROSPERO, number CRD42021248533.
- Ubiquidade das TIC: perigos para a saúde mental reforçados pela crise Covid-19Publication . Maeneja, Reinaldo; Abreu, Ana MariaO objetivo deste artigo teórico é destacar e discutir o conhecimento atual sobre o uso das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) durante e fora o horário de trabalho e a sua influência no desenvolvimento do burnout e implicações nas relações interpessoais e na vida familiar. Aqui, abordamos como a difusão das TIC pode impactaras relações interpessoais e, consequentemente, a família e outras relações próximas,prejudicando direta ou indiretamente a saúde mental. Num momento de grande empreendimento nas TIC, impulsionado pela crise COVID-19, importa analisar se esta oportunidade de migração digital, não constitui afinal um constrangimento. Na nossa opinião, a questão do uso excessivo das TIC não afeta apenas a saúde mental e familiar,mas também afeta a saúde social, já que o ‘medo de não estar envolvido’ promove aubiquidade das TIC e reduz as oportunidades de interação interpessoal. Deixamos alguns pontos de reflexão neste momento de mudança e investimento digital.