The Cost-Effectiveness of an Intervention to Preserve Independence in People With Dementia (Vs. No Intervention): A Decision-Analytic (Markov) Model Analysis.

Objectives: Interventions that enable people with dementia to retain some independence in activities of daily living (ADL) may delay transitions into residential care and offset sharp reductions in quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to estimate how effective a hypothetical intervention needs to be at preserving independence in home-dwelling people with dementia, to be cost-effective.

Methods: A decision-analytic model was constructed to compare costs and outcomes of a cohort of people with dementia in the United Kingdom and European Union over a 10-year period.

Improving Self-Awareness in Chronic Moderate-Severe Acquired Brain Injury: The Social Cognitive Communication Intervention Combined With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an integrated rehabilitation intervention combining the social cognitive-communication (SocCom) training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for individuals with chronic moderate-severe acquired brain injury (MS-ABI), focusing on enhancing self-awareness and executive functions in an outpatient setting.

Method: Twenty-five individuals with MS-ABI ( = 39.64, = 14.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Acquired Brain Injury in Female Victims of Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Cyprus.

This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of violent events leading to Acquired brain injury (ABI). Research was conducted through the SPAVO helpline which provides anonymous and immediate support and connect individuals with necessary resources and guidance. Data were collected using four specific questions from the BR.

European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline on aphasia rehabilitation.

Evidence of effective aphasia rehabilitation is emerging, yet intervention and delivery varies widely. This European Stroke Organisation guideline adhered to the guideline development standard procedures and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. The resulting multi-disciplinary, evidence-based recommendations support the delivery of high-quality stroke-related aphasia rehabilitation.

Associations Between Chrono-Nutrition Behaviours and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Adults: The NUTRICO Cross-Sectional Cohort Study.

Healthy midlife cognitive function (CF) reduces the risk of later cognitive decline. Emerging evidence suggests that chrono-nutrition may be associated with CF. This cross-sectional cohort study aimed to examine associations between chrono-nutrition behaviours and CF in adults aged 45-65 years living in Cyprus.

Neural correlates of pain acceptance and the role of the cerebellum: Functional connectivity and anatomical differences in individuals with headaches versus matched controls.

Background: Despite functional connectivity network dysfunction among individuals with headaches, no studies have examined functional connectivity neural correlates and anatomical differences in coping with headaches.

Methods: This study investigated inter-individual variability in whole-brain functional connectivity and anatomical differences among 37 individuals with primary headaches and 24 age- and gender-matched controls, and neural correlates of psychological flexibility (PF) that was previously found to contribute to headache adjustment. Participants (84% women; M headache severity = 4/10; M age = 43 years) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and completed questionnaires to examine global and subnetwork brain areas, and their relations with PF components, controlling for age, gender, education, and head-motion.

The impact of a 12-week tele-exercise program on cognitive function and cerebral oxygenation in patients with OSA: randomized controlled trial-protocol study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a number of adverse health effects, particularly on brain health. Chronic sleep disruption caused by OSA can adversely affect cognitive health. Exercise is recommended as a non-pharmacological intervention for patients who are intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and has been shown to have beneficial effects on brain health and cognitive function.

Long-term psychological impact of the pandemic COVID-19: Identification of high-risk groups and assessment of precautionary measures five months after the first wave of restrictions was lifted.

Critical facets of our lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak for almost three years. During this time, there has been a lot of clinical and research interest in issues related to mental health. However, few have examined the pandemic's long-term psychological effects.

Evolution of rehabilitation services in response to a global pandemic: reflection on opportunities and challenges ahead.

The rapidly evolving COVID-19 public health emergency has disrupted and challenged traditional healthcare, rehabilitation services, and treatment delivery worldwide. This perspective paper aimed to unite experiences and perspectives from an international group of rehabilitation providers while reflecting on the lessons learned from the challenges and opportunities raised during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the global appreciation for rehabilitation services and changes in access to healthcare, including virtual, home-based rehabilitation, and long-term care rehabilitation.

A new multidimensional group intervention for cognitive and psychosocial functioning for older adults: Background, content, and process evaluation.

Introduction: An essential element of quality aging is the maintenance of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. The principal objective of the present paper was to present the theoretical framework, content and process evaluation of a newly developed multi-dimensional group intervention designed to strengthen/improve areas of cognitive and psychosocial functioning in adults over 65.

Methods: The intervention implements multiple methodologies aiming to facilitate contextual integration of learned concepts and strategies derived from clinical psychology and rehabilitation.

The cortical and subcortical substrates of quality of life through substrates of self-awareness and executive functions, in chronic moderate-to-severe TBI.

Background: Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) follows a chronic neuro-psychological sequelae, interfering with quality of life (QOL).

Objective: To investigate the chronic effects of moderate-to-severe TBI as expressed by greater atrophy in specific regions-of-interest relating to executive functions (EF) and self-awareness (SA); and whether this atrophy reflects on EF, SA deficits and QOL.

Methods: Thirty-one males with chronic moderate-to-severe TBI, aged 18-51, were compared to 24 non-injured males (age range = 21-49), matched on age and education.

Alzheimer's disease research progress in the Mediterranean region: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium.

As research and services in the Mediterranean region continue to increase, so do opportunities for global collaboration. To support such collaborations, the Alzheimer's Association was due to hold its seventh Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium in Athens, Greece in 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held virtually, which enabled attendees from around the world to hear about research efforts in Greece and the surrounding Mediterranean countries.

Regional Brain Volume, Brain Reserve and MMSE Performance in Healthy Aging From the NEUROAGE Cohort: Contributions of Sex, Education, and Depression Symptoms.

: The aim of this study was twofold. First, to investigate the relationship between age, gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes, brain reserve (BR), and specific regions of interest (ROIs) with global cognitive function in healthy older adults participating in a longitudinal study on aging in the island country of Cyprus. Second, to assess the contribution of important demographic and psychosocial factors on brain volume.

Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Quarantine: A Study of Gender Differences in 59 Countries.

: There is strong evidence in the literature that women experience psychological disorders at significantly higher rates than men. The higher rates of psychological disorders in women may partly be attributable to gender differences in response to stressors and coping styles. The objective of this study was to contribute to the growing body of literature investigating gender differences in mental health outcomes and coping styles during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a large sample of individuals from 59 countries with variable demographic and socio-cultural characteristics.

The Neurocognitive Study for the Aging: Longitudinal Analysis on the Contribution of Sex, Age, Education and ɛ4 on Cognitive Performance.

The effects of normal cognitive aging on executive functions (EF), Verbal Episodic Memory (VEM) and the contribution of age, sex, education, and APOΕ ε4 in a group of old Greek Cypriots across a five-year period were investigated. NEUROAGE, the first project on cognitive aging in Cyprus, is a prospective longitudinal study with a rolling admission process. Participants are assessed at baseline and retested every 24-30 months.

Support care needs of people with hearing and vision impairment in dementia: a European cross-national perspective.

Purpose: Aging-related sensory impairments are among the most common and disabling comorbidities in people with dementia (PwD). This study explored the unmet support care needs (SCNs) from the perspectives of people with hearing and/or vision impairment in dementia (PwD), and their care partners in Europe.

Methods: This was a two-phase mixed methods study.

The Association Between Brain Reserve, Cognitive Reserve, and Neuropsychological and Functional Outcomes in Males With Chronic Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Purpose Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to significant neural and cognitive impairment, affecting functional outcome. This study investigated the chronic effects of moderate-to-severe TBI on brain reserve (BR), cognitive reserve (CR), and neuropsychological and functional outcome. Method The group with TBI consisted of 41 male participants with a primary diagnosis of moderate-to-severe closed head injury (time since injury [TSI], = 6.

Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Compliance with Precautionary Measures: Age and Sex Matter.

Effective management of the global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (also known as COVID-19), resulted in the implementation of severe restrictions in movement and enforcement of social distancing measures. This study aimed to understand and characterize the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population and to identify risks and protective factors that predict changes in mental health status. In addition, the study investigated compliance with precautionary measures (PM) to halt the spread of the virus.

Executive functions, self-awareness and quality of life in chronic moderate-to-severe TBI.

Background: Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to significant neuropsychological impairment, further affecting quality of life (QOL).

Objective: Investigate the effects of chronic moderate-to-severe TBI on Executive Functions (EF), Self-awareness (SA), QOL, and the associations between them.

Methods: 33 males with moderate-to-severe TBI (ages 18-51; time since injury 1-19 years) were compared to 24 non-injured males, matched on age and education.

Impact of an intervention to support hearing and vision in dementia: The SENSE-Cog Field Trial.

Objectives: Hearing, vision, and cognitive impairment commonly co-occur in older adults. Improving sensory function may positively impact outcomes in people with dementia (PwD). We developed a "sensory intervention" (SI) to support hearing and vision in PwD.