No abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of an iPad-enhanced aerobic exercise intervention designed to enhance wayfinding efficacy and performance and relevant cognitive functioning among middle-aged adults at risk for cognitive impairment. Twenty-seven low active adults (21 females) aged 45 to 62 years (51.22 ± 5.20) participated in a ten-week randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to an iPad-enhanced aerobic exercise group (experimental group) or an aerobic exercise-only group (control group) following baseline assessment. Both groups exercised at 50% to 75% of age-predicted heart rate maximum for 30 to 50 min/d, 2 d/wk for 10 weeks. During aerobic exercise, the experimental group engaged in virtual tours delivered via iPad. Baseline and post-intervention assessments of wayfinding self-efficacy, wayfinding task performance, cognitive functioning, electroencephalogram (EEG), and psychosocial questionnaires were administered. The results suggest that ten weeks of iPad-enhanced, moderately intense aerobic exercise had specific effects on wayfinding self-efficacy; however, no statistical differences were found between groups on the behavioral wayfinding task or spatial memory performance at follow-up. Performance scores on an inhibitory attentional-control cognitive assessment revealed significant differences between groups, favoring the experimental group (p < 0.05). Virtual reality-enhanced aerobic exercise may prove to be an effective method for improving cognitive function and increasing confidence to navigate real-world scenarios among individuals at risk of cognitive impairment.

The emergence of vehicle technologies that promote driver safety and convenience calls for investigation of the prevalence of driver assistance systems as well as of their use rates. A consumer driven understanding as to why certain vehicle technology is used remains largely unexplored. We examined drivers’ experience using 13 different advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and several reasons that may explain rates of use through a nationally-distributed survey. Our analysis focused on drivers’ levels of understanding and trust with their vehicle’s ADAS as well as drivers’ perceived ease, or difficulty, in using the systems. Respondents’ age and experience with Level 0 or Level 1 technologies revealed additional group differences, suggesting older drivers (55+), and those with only Level 0 systems as using ADAS more often. These data are interpreted using the Driver Behavior Questionnaire framework and offer a snapshot of the pervasiveness of certain driver safety systems.

As evidence builds toward a multimodal approach for concussion treatment, data that provides a snapshot of individuals’ engagement in different treatment methods may inform future intervention design. Relationships between concussion history, treatment type, and subjective cognitive functioning remain largely unexplored. We aimed to assess participation in various types of treatment as well as individuals’ perceived treatment effectiveness and subjective cognitive functioning. We hypothesized that individuals with a history of concussion compared to those without would report poorer perceptions of cognitive functioning. An online cross-sectional survey was administered to 1,285 adults (18+) with and without a history of concussion. The survey assessed demographic information, sport participation and concussion history, treatment experience, and measures of subjective cognitive functioning. Among respondents, 293 (24.9%) reported a history of at least one concussion with 86 (30.0%) reporting concussive symptoms lasting at least one month. The most common behavior engaged in to treat symptoms was mild physical activity (51.9%) followed by cryotherapy (37.2%) and then medication (32.8%). The three most common treatment methods perceived to be at least somewhat effective were mild physical activity (92.8%), cryotherapy (92.7%), and medication (90.1%). Results support hypothesized mean differences in the number of subjective memory mistakes (72.30 vs 69.86, p &lt; .05) and mindful attention (4.09 vs 3.89, p &lt; .05) among those with one or more reported concussions. These data add to existing literature supporting a negative relationship between concussion and subjective cognitive functioning. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of popular and non-traditional treatments for reducing perceived cognitive functioning associated with concussion.