Heschl’s gyrus (HG) is known to interact with other auditory related areas of the same hemisphere during the performance
of an auditory cognitive task. However, the information about how it interacts with the opposite HG is still lacking.
The aim of this study was to investigate the psychophysiologic interaction (PPI) between the bilateral HG during a
simple arithmetic addition task and to verify the role of noise as an experimental factor that would modulate the PPI.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed on eighteen healthy participants, in which a
single-digit addition task were solved during in-quiet (AIQ) and in-noise (AIN) conditions. The fMRI data were analysed
using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8). The interaction between the bilateral HG was investigated using PPI
analysis. The response in right HG was found to be linearly influenced by the activity in left HG, vice-versa, for both
in-quiet and in-noise conditions. The connectivity from right to left HG in noisy condition seemed to be modulated
by noise, while the modulation is relatively small oppositely, indicating a non-reciprocal behavior. A two-way PPI
model between right and left HG is suggested. The connectivity from right to left HG during a simple addition task in
noise is driven by a higher ability of right HG to perceive the stimuli in a noisy condition. Both the bilateral HGs took
part in the cognitive processes of arithmetic addition from which the interactions between the two were found to be
different in noise.
We investigated the effect of participant-selected (PSel) and researcher-selected (RSel) music on urban driving behaviour in young men (N = 27; Mage = 20.6 years, SD = 1.9 years). A counterbalanced, within-subjects design was used with four simulated driving conditions: PSel fast-tempo music, PSel slow-tempo music, RSel music and an urban traffic-noise control. The between-subjects variable of personality (introverts vs. extroverts) was explored. The presence of PSel slow-tempo music and RSel music optimised affective valence and arousal for urban driving. NASA Task Load Index scores indicated that the urban traffic-noise control increased mental demand compared to PSel slow-tempo music. In the PSel slow-tempo condition, less use was made of the brake pedal. When compared to extroverts, introverts recorded lower mean speed and attracted lower risk ratings under PSel slow-tempo music. The utility of PSel slow-tempo and RSel music was demonstrated in terms of optimising affective state for simulated urban driving.
This study aimed to examine five pillars of Islam and their relationship with physical and spiritual health. The five pillars of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life, considered mandatory by believers, and Muslims are required to observe them with utmost dedication. They are summarized as Shahadah, Salah, Zakat Saum, and Hajj. he first pillar of Islam, declaration of faith (Shahadah) includes the most important concept, which is the complete submission to the will of Allah (SWT) by obeying and believing in Him. Spirituality in general is defined as “religious belief or the spiritual quality of something”, “a search for the sacred”, “personal growth, or an encounter with one's own inner dimension”. The World Health Organization (WHO) mentions spiritual health as one of four dimensions to well-being; physical, mental, social, and spiritual”. Moreover, holistic nursing practice includes treating people as a whole and attending to a client’s physiological, psychological, and spiritual needs. Thus, this study intends to further explore the unitary aspect of Islam that infuse each of the pillars, and their effects on physical, spiritual well-being and nursing implications associated with it. Five pillars of Islam are discussed from the Quran, Alhadith, and Sunnah (the sayings and traditions of the Prophet) as baselines, and further additions from the knowledge of the Islamic scholars. And it is noted that our practices based on the five pillars of Islam have not only positive effects on physical but also spiritual health. This paper pointed out that while performing obligatory duties as stipulated by Islam, one could achieve spiritual enhancement as well as physical strength and well being.
Running in high heat and humidity increases psychophysiological strain, which typically impairs running performance. Listening to synchronous music has been shown to provide psychophysiological benefits, which may enhance running performance. The present randomized, crossover study examined effects of listening to synchronous music on psychophysiological parameters and running performance in hot and humid conditions. Twelve male runners (21.7 ± 2.2 y; 166.17 ± 7.18 cm; 60.32 ± 9.52 kg; 59.29 ± 5.95 ml kg-1 min-1) completed two running trials in simulated conditions (31°C and 70% humidity) with and without synchronous music. Participants ran on a treadmill inside a climatic chamber for 60 min at 60%
V ˙
O2max and continued to run to exhaustion at 80%
V ˙
O2max. Time-to-exhaustion under the synchronous music condition was 66.59% longer (mean = 376.5 s vs. 226.0 s, p = 0.02, d = 0.63) compared to the no music condition. Ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower for the synchronous music condition at each time point (15, 30, 45, and 60 min) of the steady state portion of the running trials. Small differences in heart rate were detected between conditions. No significant between-condition differences were found in urine specific gravity, percentage of body weight loss, thermal comfort, and blood lactate. Findings suggest that listening to synchronous music is beneficial to running performance and perceived exertion in hot and humid conditions.
Psychophysiological effect associated to an event is inseparable with regard to the human’s mental health (Celik 2010; Cannon 1987; Roxo et al. 2011; Laird & Lacasse 2014). The manifestation of psychophysiological phenomenon in relation to an event has been observed during pre-modern era and inspired physician like Avicenna from the influence of the great thinker of Aristotle and Plato. Avicenna or IbnuSina, the Persian-born philosopher and physician from the Greco-Islamic era, has made his standpoint on the clinical importance of pulsology (Celik 2010). In his earlier concepts on pulse patterns, it was found that pulse would rise when he or she is anticipating an event, especially if an event is meaningful and related to him or her. Avicenna documented in dealing with such events, the psychophysiological changes that were observed, i.e. increased pulse from normal pulse. For example, a man who is approaching a house with a lady that he loved, started to experience tachycardia and palpitation. Sphygmology, a study of pulses is based on the contribution by Ibnu-Sina (Zarshenas et al. 2013). It is a relatively simple, practical and inexpensive means, having a significant diagnosis yield (Zarshenas et al. 2013). It has been recognised through the history of medicine, over the centuries, that we have a better understanding on the fundamental concept of coping with stress by observing our own pulses. Using this modest physiological approach, it has contributed to the modern way in dealing with distressed situation-the psychophysiology of biofeedback therapy and instilling the Buddhist teaching of mindfulness. For example in the former, biofeedback is a simple way of overcoming stress. Biofeedback therapy is a method that trains people to enhance their health by regulating certain bodily processes that normally happen involuntarily (Abgrall-Barbry & Consoli 2006). Once we are in a stressful state, our pulse and blood pressure will increase. Meditating, or self-dialogueand telling our brain that, “I am in control and can dictate my pulse from the highest to lowest possible beat,” can be helpful in dealing with our stress level via higher mental function coordination. Indeed, regulation of basic physiological phenomena and psychological input-“calming the mind” has both anatomical and neurophysiological explanation via the reticular activating system and thalamic integration. Understanding a simple way in managing with stress, especially during the difficult and stressful time can be gratifying and rewarding. This is especially true when it comes to inconveniences, hassle and problems due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and during the movement control order (MCO).
Competitive football players who undergo strenuous training and frequent competitions are more vulnerable to psychological disorders. Probiotics are capable of reducing these psychological disorders. The present study aimed to determine the effect of daily probiotics supplementation on anxiety induced physiological parameters among competitive football players. The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 20 male footballers who received either probiotics (Lactobacillus Casei Shirota strain 3 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU) or a placebo drink over eight weeks. Portable biofeedback devices were used to measure the electroencephalography, heart rate, and electrodermal responses along with cognitive tests at the baseline, week 4, and week 8. Data were statistically analyzed using mixed factorial ANOVA and results revealed that there is no significant difference between the probiotic and placebo groups for heart rate (61.90 bpm ± 5.84 vs. 67.67 bpm ± 8.42, p = 0.09) and electrodermal responses (0.27 µS ± 0.19 vs. 0.41 µS ± 0.12, p = 0.07) after eight weeks. Similarly, brain waves showed no significant changes during the study period except for the theta wave and delta wave at week 4 (p < 0.05). The cognitive test reaction time (digit vigilance test) showed significant improvement in the probiotic group compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that daily probiotics supplementation may have the potential to modulate the brain waves namely, theta (relaxation) and delta (attention) for better training, brain function, and psychological improvement to exercise. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of current findings.