نشریه عصب روانشناسی
سال هشتم شماره 4 (پیاپی 31، زمستان 1401)

The present study was conducted with the aim of Comparing the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation and repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment on working memory, impulsivity and self-harm behaviors in people with borderline personality. 

The current research is semi-experimental with pre-test-post-test and control groups. The statistical population of this research includes the clients of some counseling centers in Ardabil city in 1401. The sample of this study consisted of 45 people with borderline personality disorder who were selected by the available sampling method. This study included 3 groups and each group included 15 people. Each subject was randomly assigned to two treatment groups (tDCS and rTMS) and a control group. The tools of this research included N-back working memory test, Barratt Impulsivity questionnaire, self-harm questionnaire, tDCS and rTMS.

The results showed that the treatment of tDCS and rTMS has a significant effect on impulsivity, working memory and self-harm in borderline personality disorder patients. And the results show that after controlling the effect of the pre-test on the post-test to compare scores, working memory, impulsivity and self-harm among the three groups, there is a significant difference at the error level (0.05). The results of Bonferroni's post hoc test also showed that between the effectiveness of the two treatment methods, rTMS treatment was more effective than tDCS.

The results showed that tDCS and rTMS led to the improvement of working memory in people with borderline personality disorder and also reduced the level of impulsivity and self-harm behaviors.

The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of mindfulness intervention on perceived stress and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels of elite wrestlers during the competition period.

20 male elite freestyle wrestlers (age: 22.36±2.38) participated in this study and were randomly assigned to experimental (mindfulness-based intervention) and control groups. Two official competitions were used as pre-test and post-test. Perceived stress was measured by the short version of Perceived stress scale. Awakening and competitive levels of salivary immunoglobulin A were evaluated using the ELISA method. The experimental group participated in 8-week mindfulness intervention (two sessions per week). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-test.

The results showed that after the 8 weeks of intervention, perceived stress was reduced in the experimental group. Hoewer, the awakening and competitive levels of immunoglobulin A did not show a significant difference compared to the control group from pre-test to post-test.

In general, it can be concluded that mindfulness intervention can be a strategy to reduce the perceived stress in elite wrestlers during the competition period. Future studies with larger samples with other disciplines can better demonstrate the comprehensiveness of the results.

Nowadays, the study of neurological infrastructure of personality traits has a special place in neuropsychological research. According to Eysenck, the correlation between personality and behavior is the result of individual differences in the brain function. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frontal EEG asymmetry according to neuroticism and extraversion dimensions.

The statistical population of the present study was all male students of Payame Noor University of Tehran, who studied in the academic year of 1963-96. Based on the final scores of distribution in two dimensions of extroversion and neuroticism, four groups (extroverts, introverts, neuroticism and emotional stability) with 25 subjects were selected. The subjects completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire- Revised, Waterloo Handedness and footedness Questionnaires-Revised, and their eyedness was assessed, then the electrical activity of the brain of the subjects was recorded through EEG from different points on the scalp.

The findings of the study show that there is no significant difference between the four groups in the right frontopolar (FP2), right middle frontal (F4), right lateral frontal (F8) and right frontal cortex (RF) in alpha activity. There is a significant difference between the left frontopolar (FP1), left middle frontal (F3), left lateral frontal (F7) and left frontal cortex (LF) between the four groups (P<0.01); as alpha wave activity on left regions in neurotic and introverted individuals is more than emotional stable and extroverted subjects.

In general, the findings of the present study strengthen the relationship between personality dimensions and frontal EEG asymmetry.

Executive functions in primary school children are very important because they can have a decisive role in improving children's performance in school and even for their future. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of computer games and motor games on the executive functions of primary school students. The current research was a semi-experimental. The statistical community was all the 7-9 years old primary school students of Babol city in 1401. To select the sample, three schools were selected through random sampling. 15 people from each school were randomly divided into three groups (movement games, computer games and control). The research tool was BRIEF Executive Functions Questionnaire. Movement and computer group programs were conducted for 12 sessions (4 weeks and three sessions per week). The control group continued their usual programs. Analysis of covariance test and Bonferroni's post hoc test were performed at the level of p<0.05. The results of the analysis of covariance showed that by considering the pre-test scores as the control variable, the training interventions (computer games and movement games) caused a significant difference between the experimental groups. Based on the results of Bonferroni's post hoc test, the difference in executive function variables between the two experimental groups and the control group was significant (p<0.001) but non-significant with each other (p>0.05). motor and computer games can be used as a practical option in order to improve children's executive functions.

The aim of this study is to develop and validation a training program based on maternal scaffolding to improve executive attention (inhibition, shifting, and updating working memory) in pre-school children. This study has been carried out in three phases. Within the first phase, upon reviewing previous projects, the dimensions and components of parental scaffolding that relevance to executive functions were identified. In the 2nd phase, under documentary analysis methodology, a training program for improve of the executive functions in pre-school children, was presented. The components of parental scaffolding that relevance to executive functions, were merged to games and activities of this program. In the third phase, the prepared program sought validation. Based on the plan of this project, a single group pursued pre-test, first post-test, and second post-test assessments. The participants included sixteen mothers with 3-6-year-old children, who participated in the course with their children, and were selected voluntarily. The measurement tools applied in this study were Day/Night Stroop task (Gerstadt et al.,1994), flexible item selection task (Jacques & Zelazo, 2001) digit span task (Wechsler, 2003). The results showed that this program was highly effective for improve of three dimensions of executive functions, and this effectiveness has been maintained constantly. Overall, based on this study, mothers can attain a more accurate perception of the cognitive development of their children and assist the cognitive growth of their children upon performing the games and activities covered by this program; while concurrently understanding their role in this development.

This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation and play therapy on improving the executive functions of children with brain tumors.

The study was a practical research and a time series quasi-experimental design with multiple groups. The sample included 45 children between 7 and 10 years old with brain tumors selected from Mahak Hospital purposefully and by considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly replaced in 3 groups of 15 people (group 1: cognitive rehabilitation; group 2: cognitive rehabilitation with play therapy; group 3: control group). The experimental groups received relevant interventions in 8 sessions, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The pre-test, post-test and 1-month follow-up of the participants of all 3 groups were conducted with the Executive Function questioner (BRIEF). In order to analyze the data, split-plot ANOVA design (SPANOVA) with spss21 software was used.

According to the results, the deficit of executive functions in children of both experimental groups was reduced compared to the control group and was stable in the follow-up.

The result showed these interventions can be used for children with brain tumors. Of course, the use of rehabilitation therapy integrated with play therapy is more suitable for improving the cognitive skills of children with brain tumors.