ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3512-2337
Current Organisation
University of Twente
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Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 23-08-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FSPOR.2022.907654
Abstract: Single-session meditation augmentation of sport-specific skill performance was tested with elite junior tennis athletes. Athletes completed one of two styles of mindfulness meditation (focused-attention or open-monitoring) or a control listening condition prior to performing an implicitly sequenced tennis serve return task involving the goal of hitting a target area placed on the service court. Unbeknownst to athletes, six distinct serves followed a repeating second-order conditional sequence for two task blocks before the sequence was altered in a third transfer block. Task performance was operationalized as serve return outcome and analyzed using beta regression modeling. Models analyzed group by block differences in the proportion of returned serves (i.e., non-aces), returns placed in the service court, and target hits. Contrary to previous laboratory findings, results did not support meditation-related augmentation of performance and/or sequence learning. In fact, compared to control, meditation may have impaired performance improvements and acquisition of serve sequence information. It is possible that the effects of single-session meditation seen in laboratory research may not extend to more complex motor tasks, at least in highly-trained adolescents completing a well-learned skill. Further research is required to elucidate the participant, task, and meditation-related characteristics that might promote single-session meditation performance enhancement.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 19-06-2018
Abstract: Previous work found that single-session focused attention meditation (FAM) enhanced motor sequence learning through increased cognitive control as a mechanistic action, although electrophysiological correlates of sequence learning performance following FAM were not investigated. We measured the persistent frontal N2 event-related potential (ERP) that is closely related to cognitive control processes and its ability to predict behavioural measures. Twenty-nine participants were randomised to one of three conditions reflecting the level of FAM experienced prior to a serial reaction time task (SRTT): 21 sessions of FAM (FAM21, N= 12), a single FAM session (FAM1, N= 9) or no preceding FAM control (Control, N= 8). Continuous 64-channel EEG were recorded during SRTT and N2 litudes for correct trials were extracted. Component litude, regions of interests, and behavioural outcomes were compared using mixed effects regression models between groups. FAM21 exhibited faster reaction time performances in majority of the learning blocks compared to FAM1 and Control. FAM21 also demonstrated a significantly more pronounced N2 over majority of anterior and central regions of interests during SRTT compared to the other groups. When N2 litudes were modelled against general learning performance, FAM21 showed the greatest rate of litude decline over anterior and central regions. The combined results suggest that FAM training provided greater cognitive control enhancement for improved sequence learning performance compared to the other groups. Importantly, FAM training facilitates dynamic modulation of cognitive control: lower levels of general learning performance was supported by greater levels of activation, whilst higher levels of general learning required less activation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-020-15929-Y
Abstract: Many inland waters exhibit complete or partial desiccation, or have vanished due to global change, exposing sediments to the atmosphere. Yet, data on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from these sediments are too scarce to upscale emissions for global estimates or to understand their fundamental drivers. Here, we present the results of a global survey covering 196 dry inland waters across erse ecosystem types and climate zones. We show that their CO 2 emissions share fundamental drivers and constitute a substantial fraction of the carbon cycled by inland waters. CO 2 emissions were consistent across ecosystem types and climate zones, with local characteristics explaining much of the variability. Accounting for such emissions increases global estimates of carbon emissions from inland waters by 6% (~0.12 Pg C y −1 ). Our results indicate that emissions from dry inland waters represent a significant and likely increasing component of the inland waters carbon cycle.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-06-2018
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.1029/2019GB006276
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 04-10-2021
Abstract: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) has recently drawn substantial attention from researchers and clinicians. New effective surgical and physiotherapeutic methods have been developed to improve the quality of life of patients with AMC. While it is clear that all these interventions should strongly rely on the plastic reorganization of the central nervous system, almost no studies have investigated this topic. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate brain activity in young AMC patients. We also outlined the general challenges and limitations of electrophysiological investigations on patients with arthrogryposis. We conducted MEG recordings using a 306-channel Elekta Neuromag VectorView system during a cued motor task performance in four patients with arthrogryposis, five normally developed children, and five control adults. Following the voice command of the experimenter, each subject was asked to bring their hand toward their mouth to imitate the self-feeding process. Two patients had latissimus dorsi transferred to the biceps brachii position, one patient had a pectoralis major transferred to the biceps brachii position, and one patient had no elbow flexion restoration surgery before the MEG investigation. Three patients who had undergone autotransplantation prior to the MEG investigation demonstrated activation in the sensorimotor area contralateral to the elbow flexion movement similar to the healthy controls. One patient who was recorded before the surgery demonstrated subjectively weak distributed bilateral activation during both left and right elbow flexion. Visual inspection of MEG data suggested that neural activity associated with motor performance was less pronounced and more widely distributed across the cortical areas of patients than of healthy control subjects. In general, our results could serve as a proof of principle in terms of the application of MEG in studies on cortical activity in patients with AMC. Reported trends might be consistent with the idea that prolonged motor deficits are associated with more difficult neuronal recruitment and the spatial heterogeneity of neuronal sources, most likely reflecting compensatory neuronal mechanisms. On the practical side, MEG could be a valuable technique for investigating the neurodynamics of patients with AMC as a function of postoperative abilitation.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 26-09-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-02-2019
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.14537
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 28-02-2023
Abstract: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused mandatory lockdowns around the world, which exacerbated mental health issues created by social isolation. To improve museum visitors' mental health and maintain engagement despite the physical closure of museums, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) rapidly deployed an online programme called Unwind with SAM to engage the public with the museum's contemporary art collection through meditation and contemplation. The programme focused on the positive effect of arts on mental health and well-being, combined with cognitive benefits of meditation by “slow looking” at different artworks. The programme was completed in a steadfast manner therefore, this practice-based report allows for consolidation of the processes to explore the intersectional potential between art, contemplation and cognitive sciences in a publicly accessible way. The first section provides a brief overview of the current landscape of art and wellness approaches in museums. The second section outlines a philosophical framework which explores the intersection of art, meditation and cognitive science to guide the programme, alongside a breakdown of components and their design rationale. The final part provides a critical reflection and concludes with recommendations for other museum practitioners, managers and scientists to utilise the framework for designing future programme with erse organisations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 04-02-2018
Abstract: Chan et al. (2017) demonstrated that top-down control states established in FAM persist to influence subsequent sequence learning through increased stimulus-based planning. To test if top-down control influences on attention allocation and contribute to sequence learning effects of FAM, we compared against a computerised attention task (CAT). We investigated if effort, arousal or pleasure associated with FAM or CAT, explained the influence on sequence learning. Relative to Control, FAM and CAT resulted in shorter reaction time (RT) in the SRTT. FAM resulted in a greater rate of improvement than both CAT and control across training blocks of the SRTT, aligned with general practice benefits associated with reliance on stimulus-based planning. Neither effort, arousal or pleasure associated with FAM, CAT or control conditions correlated with SRTT performance or learning indices. Enhanced sequence learning following FAM is attributed to increased top-down control states established by FAM that transfer to subsequent sequence learning.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 17-03-2023
Abstract: As we approach a future whereby elder adults aged & make up more than 50% of the population in many developed countries, the ability to retain and relearn motor functions is a key outcome of health and wellbeing to maintain an active quality of life. We consider a generic approach for learning and managing motor functions less effective for the wide-ranging differences in motor capacities in the ageing population and hypothesise an increased beneficial influence of using an in idualised learning approach instead. In this theory and hypothesis manuscript, we present evidence, provide neurobiologically plausible mechanisms and formulate predictions to support our approach. Firstly, we outline the neurobiology of aging and cover the cognitive control considerations from well-established theoretical motor learning frameworks. Differences in motor sequence learning between elder adults and younger adults are also outlined. An important consideration is that different states of cognitive control can be induced, and we specifically explain why open-monitoring meditation is a suitable approach in the case of elder adults. Combining these, we then present our modelling guidelines for sensorimotor rhythms of synchronisation and desynchronisation of alpha and beta bandwidths during motor sequence learning. Lastly, we formulate specific hypotheses and predictions based on the presented information to support the direction of our In idualised COgnitive and Motor learning for the Elderly (ICOME) research program. **This is an early first final draft of the manuscript, circa early 2021**
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.CONCOG.2017.07.004
Abstract: Cognitive control processes influence how motor sequence information is utilised and represented. Since cognitive control processes are shared amongst goal-oriented tasks, motor sequence learning and performance might be influenced by preceding cognitive tasks such as focused-attention meditation (FAM). Prior to a serial reaction time task (SRTT), participants completed either a single-session of FAM, a single-session of FAM followed by delay (FAM+) or no meditation (CONTROL). Relative to CONTROL, FAM benefitted performance in early, random-ordered blocks. However, across subsequent sequence learning blocks, FAM+ supported the highest levels of performance improvement resulting in superior performance at the end of the SRTT. Performance following FAM+ demonstrated greater reliance on embedded sequence structures than FAM. These findings illustrate that increased top-down control immediately after FAM biases the implementation of stimulus-based planning. Introduction of a delay following FAM relaxes top-down control allowing for implementation of response-based planning resulting in sequence learning benefits.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-05-2018
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 10-2022
Abstract: A major challenge in motor neuroscience is to understand the dynamics of motor learning and sequence acquisition in naturalistic settings beyond keyboard pressing tasks. A great deal of theory has been derived from established paradigms like the Discrete Sequence Production (DSP) task, yet it is largely unknown if applications beyond keyboard responses are feasible. In addition, further understanding of whole-body motor learning tasks would unravel other dimensions of motor coordination dynamics that contribute to learning. This leads to richer understanding of preparation, decision making, movement execution and optimisation processes when learning motor sequences. The current protocol describes how to conduct a modified DSP task by dance-stepping, allowing the study of whole-body dynamics. Firstly, we provide the necessary program in an E-Prime® script for replication and the DSP task is presented in a go/no-go method to further elucidate motor-specific execution. We explain a basic variant of the experiment with minimal and commercially available hardware, then scale the research possibilities and outline the integration of the Xsens motion capture systems for measuring kinematic variables like centre of mass displacement/ velocity changes. The additional measures allow researchers to investigate relationships between response times and movement kinematics for insight to learning processes. We showcase representative results to highlight possible ways data could be modelled. Finally, we cover the future opportunities and limitations of using such an approach. The goal is to make the experiment accessible for others to conduct that is supported by a publicly available video of the experimental procedure.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACTPSY.2018.09.003
Abstract: Motor sequence learning is considered the result of the outflow of information following cognitive control processes that are shared by other goal-directed behaviours. Emerging evidence suggests that focused-attention meditation (FAM) establishes states of enhanced cognitive control, that then exert top-down control biases in subsequent unrelated tasks. With respect to sequence learning, a single-session of FAM has been shown to entrain stimulus-dependent forms of sequential behaviour in meditation naïve in iduals. In the present experiment, we compared single-session effects of FAM and a computerised attention task (CAT) to test if FAM-induced enhanced top-down control is generally comparable to cognitive tasks that require focused attention. We also investigated if effort, arousal or pleasure associated with FAM, or CAT explained the influence of these tasks on sequence learning. Relative to a rest-only control condition, both FAM and CAT resulted in shorter reaction time (RT) in a serial reaction time task (SRTT), and this enhanced RT performance was associated with higher reliance on stimulus-based planning as opposed to sequence representation formation. However, following FAM, a greater rate of improvement in RT performance was observed in comparison to both CAT and control conditions. Neither effort, arousal nor pleasure associated with FAM or CAT explained SRTT performance. These findings were interpreted to suggest that the effect of FAM states on increased top-down control during sequence learning is based on the focused attention control feature of this meditation. FAM states might be associated with enhanced cognitive control to promote the development of more efficient stimulus-response processing in comparison to states induced by other attentional tasks.
Publisher: PsyArXiv
Date: 2018
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 11-04-2018
Abstract: Recent theoretical models outline that motor sequence learning involves cognitive control processes that affects stimulus- or plan-based control, although clear contributions from the have not been delineated. Previously, we found that single-session focused attention meditation (FAM) enhanced stimulus-based control through increased top-down activation. In the present experiment, we aimed to understand if single-session FAM effects could be enhanced with short-term FAM training in behavioural reaction time, and neurophysiological indices in the form event-related potentials (ERP). We investigated the N200 component that is closely related to top-down activation, and the error-related negatively (ERN) component that is closely related to error processing for plan development. 29 participants were randomised to one of three conditions reflecting the level of FAM experienced prior to a serial reaction time task (SRTT): 21 sessions of FAM (FAM21, N= 12), a single FAM session (FAM1, N= 9) or no preceding FAM control (Control, N= 8). Continuous 64-channel EEG were recorded during SRTT whereby N200 litudes for correct trials, and ERN using mean difference in litudes for correct and error trials, were extracted. Component litudes, topography and behavioural outcomes were compared using linear mixed effects regression models between groups. Firstly, FAM21 exhibited faster reaction time performances in majority of the learning blocks compared to FAM1 and Control. FAM21 also demonstrated a significantly more pronounced N200 component over all anterior and the central regions during SRTT compared to FAM1 and Control. When N200 litudes were modelled against general learning performance, FAM21 also showed the greatest rate of decline over all anterior and the central regions during SRTT compared to FAM1 and Control. No robust differences in the ERN component were found that supported our predictions. The N200 is associated with top-down cognitive control processes, and hence may index stimulus-based learning effects whilst the ERN is associated with error and updating of an internalised plan that may index plan-based learning effects. Firstly, our results show that after FAM training, top-down activation is increased for better block-on-block RT performances compared to the other groups. More importantly, FAM training facilitates more efficient and dynamic modulation of top-down activation such that at high levels of general learning performance, less top-down control is needed to maintain the performance.
Location: No location found
Location: Russian Federation
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2023
Funder: European Commission
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