DSpace Coleção: PPGNEC

Neural correlates of retrieval practice with feedback : an EEG analysis and methodological proposal of Pypeline-EEG for signal preprocessing and analysis

2026-10-22T06:14:04Z

Título: Neural correlates of retrieval practice with feedback : an EEG analysis and methodological proposal of Pypeline-EEG for signal preprocessing and analysis Autor(es): Alves, Paloma Victória de Sales Orientador: Galdino, Melyssa Kellyane Cavalcanti Abstract: From the perspective of cognitive neuroscience, learning involves the acquisition, processing, and retention of information. In the context of formal education, evidence indicates that retrieval practice accompanied by feedback improves long-term information retention; however, demonstrations of its neural substrates remain scarce. The alpha band has been associated with attentional processes, and given that attention predicts several cognitive outcomes, this study investigated whether different review strategies – retrieval practice with feedback versus rereading – modulate the spectral- temporal dynamics of this band. A total of 21 undergraduate students participated in this study, randomly allocated into three groups: an active study group with retrieval practice and targeted feedback, a passive study group with rereading, and a control group. Before the protocol, all participants completed sleepiness and motivation scales as well as the Psychological Battery for Attention Assessment. Two electroencephalography (EEG) recordings – pre and post intervention – were performed under eyes-open (EO) and eyes- closed (EC) conditions. Signals were acquired using the BrainVision system, preprocessed with filtering, artifact removal via ICA/ICLabel, average referencing, and segmentation by condition. Alpha band power was analyzed in the spectral and temporal domains, comparing pre- and post-study measurements across groups. All data processing and analysis were performed in Python using the pipeline developed in this study. The active group showed a significant increase in alpha power in the frontal, prefrontal, centro-parietal, and occipital regions, along with a trend toward decreased power in the right temporo-parietal region after the study protocol. No meaningful differences were observed in the passive or control groups. These findings indicate that active retrieval practice with feedback can modulate baseline alpha activity, suggesting a specific effect of this study strategy on neural processes related to attention and learning. In addition to contributing empirically to the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying retrieval practice with feedback, this work developed the Pypeline-EEG – an open, modular pipeline designed to reduce technical barriers, standardize analysis steps, and strengthen scientific reproducibility in neuroscience, enabling other researchers to perform reliable EEG analyses without relying on proprietary software or advanced programming expertise. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação

Relações entre Flexibilidade Psicológica, Motivação e Linguagem: uma perspectiva neuropsicológica

2026-10-09T06:11:53Z

Título: Relações entre Flexibilidade Psicológica, Motivação e Linguagem: uma perspectiva neuropsicológica Autor(es): Medeiros, Bruno Goncalves de Orientador: Lopez, Luiz Carlos Serramo Abstract: Psychological flexibility, the disposition to experience thoughts and emotions in the present while orienting life according to values, is intrinsically modulated by processes such as motivation and language and their neurophysiological correlates. This thesis investigated the relationships between neurophysiological and linguistic biomarkers and psychological flexibility through three distinct studies. The first was a systematic review that explored the association between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and neuroimaging techniques, identifying 15 articles that demonstrated functional changes in brain areas related to emotional regulation, pain perception, and psychological flexibility following ACT interventions. The empirical studies, conducted with 60 psychology students, analyzed the relationship between psychological constructs and vocal and linguistic parameters. In the second study, participants completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ- 12), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire – 11 (PSWQ-11), the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ), and the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ), with their voices analyzed using Praat software. A positive correlation was observed between the importance factor of the VLQ and Fundamental Frequency (F0) (ρ = 0.32; p < 0.05), and negative correlations between the importance factor of the VLQ and jitter (ρ = -0.33; p < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were found in jitter and shimmer between the two questions about values. In the third study, utilizing the DASS-21, AAQ-II, CFQ, and GHQ-12 questionnaires and structural speech analysis via SpeechGraphs software, anxiety (DASS-21) negatively correlated with speech connectivity (N: ρ = -0.282; p = 0.029; LCC: ρ = -0.282; p = 0.029; LSC: ρ = -0.301; p = 0.019) when describing values. Depression (DASS-21) negatively correlated with repetition (L2: ρ = -0.255; p = 0.04). For experiential avoidance (AAQ-II), positive correlations were observed with connectivity (N: ρ = 0.263; p = 0.042; LCC: ρ = 0.263; p = 0.042; LSC: ρ = 0.265; p = 0.040) in speech about impediments. The importance factor of the VLQ positively correlated with speech density (ρ = 0.274; p = 0.034). It is concluded that integrating ACT with neuroimaging, vocal analysis, and speech graphs offers a promising path to understanding the neural and emotional substrates of psychological flexibility. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Tese

Ambientes verdes como regulação de ansiedade de teste em estudantes universitários durante períodos de avaliação

2026-09-23T06:11:10Z

Título: Ambientes verdes como regulação de ansiedade de teste em estudantes universitários durante períodos de avaliação Autor(es): Fonsêca, Ana Beatriz Oliveira da Orientador: Souza, Thiago Siqueira Paiva de Abstract: This dissertation investigates the effects of exposure to green environments on test anxiety regulation in university students during practical evaluations of Human Anatomy. Based on biophilia theory, which proposes benefits of connection with nature for physical and mental health, the study aimed to analyze the effects of observational exposure to green environments on test anxiety, academic performance, and neurophysiological variables. Specific focus was on heart rate variability (HRV). An experimental, quantitative, controlled, randomized block, double-blind methodology was used with 8 Physiotherapy students from UFPB distributed into two groups: visual exposure to nature and control without exposure. Instruments included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Environmental Connection Scale (ECS), Polar H10 heart rate monitor for HRV analysis via Kubios software, plus academic performance evaluation. Data collection occurred at three moments: two weeks before, during, and two weeks after the practical evaluation. Results demonstrated that nature exposure favored better autonomic recovery in the post-test period, with lower heart rate (80.0 ± 8.1 bpm vs 86.5 ± 7.7 in control) and superior elevations in parasympathetic indices (pNN50 and RMSSD), indicating greater physiological relaxation. Although there was no statistically significant difference in academic performance between groups, a tendency for higher grades was observed in the intervention group. It is concluded that observation of green environments during evaluations constitutes a promising strategy for academic stress modulation and psychophysiological balance promotion, suggesting the inclusion of natural spaces in universities as a complementary tool for student well-being.; RESUMEN. Esta disertación investiga los efectos de la exposición a ambientes verdes en la regulación de la ansiedad ante los exámenes en estudiantes universitarios durante evaluaciones prácticas de Anatomía Humana. Fundamentado en la teoría de la biofilia, que propone beneficios de la conexión con la naturaleza para la salud física y mental, el estudio tuvo como objetivo general analizar los efectos de la exposición observacional a ambientes verdes sobre la ansiedad ante exámenes, rendimiento académico y variables neurofisiológicas, específicamente la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca (VFC). Se utilizó metodología experimental, cuantitativa, controlada, randomizada en bloques y doble ciego, con 8 estudiantes de Fisioterapia de la UFPB distribuidos en dos grupos: exposición visual a la naturaleza y control sin exposición. Los instrumentos incluyeron el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado (IDARE), Escala de Conexión con la Naturaleza (ECN), monitor de frecuencia cardíaca Polar H10 para análisis de VFC vía software Kubios, además de la evaluación del rendimiento académico. Las recolecciones ocurrieron en tres momentos: dos semanas antes, durante y dos semanas después de la evaluación práctica. Los resultados demostraron que la exposición a la naturaleza favoreció mejor recuperación autonómica en el período post-test, con menor frecuencia cardíaca (80,0 ± 8,1 lpm vs 86,5 ± 7,7 en control) y elevaciones superiores en los índices parasimpáticos (pNN50 y RMSSD), indicando mayor relajación fisiológica. Aunque no hubo diferencia estadística significativa en el rendimiento académico entre grupos, se observó tendencia de notas superiores en el grupo intervención. Se concluye que la observación de ambientes verdes durante evaluaciones constituye estrategia promisoria en la modulación del estrés académico y promoción del equilibrio psicofisiológico, sugiriendo la inclusión de espacios naturales en universidades como herramienta complementaria para el bienestar estudiantil. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação

Fatores preditores do funcionamento executivo e do sono em profissionais da saúde da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

2026-09-03T06:13:07Z

Título: Fatores preditores do funcionamento executivo e do sono em profissionais da saúde da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Autor(es): Bezerra, Giulyanna Karlla Arruda Orientador: Minervino, Carla Alexandra da Silva Moita Abstract: Introduction: Shift work is a common form of work organization in the hospital environment, allowing comprehensive and continuous patient care. One of the hospital sectors where this assistance is carried out is the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Professionals working in shifts are exposed to specific occupational variables that often lead to sleep deprivation, fatigue, and stress, among other factors that may affect their executive functioning and sleep. Objective: To evaluate the predictive factors of executive functioning and sleep among healthcare professionals working in an Intensive Care Unit. Method: This was a cross- sectional, analytical, and exploratory study, using specific questionnaires administered at the end of day and night shifts to assess executive functioning (ADEXI), sleep quality (PSQI- BR), and daytime sleepiness (ESE and ESS) in a sample of 71 healthcare professionals (physicians, physiotherapists, nurses, and nursing technicians) from the Adult ICU of the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital (HULW), in João Pessoa – Paraíba. Results: The sample was mostly composed of married individuals (57.7%), females (62%), with a mean age of 45.3 years, holding a postgraduate degree (64.8%), and nursing technicians were the majority (46.5%). Regarding executive functioning, inferential analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between age and working memory (the older the age, the better the performance), and between sex and inhibitory control (females showed worse performance). The variable ―hours of sleep/rest per shift‖ was significant (sleeping less than 6 hours per shift increased the prevalence of poor sleep quality), and for each additional weekly working hour, there was a 10% increase in the prevalence of poor sleep quality among these professionals. The prevalence of EDS was 53.5% according to the ESE and 36.6% according to the ESS. The variable ―mixed work shift‖ was also significant, increasing the prevalence of excessive sleepiness by 194% in these professionals. Conclusion: This study was consistent with the existing literature in showing a critical relationship between sleep and executive functioning, and that healthcare professionals are susceptible to changes in these outcomes due to their distinct work routine.; RESUMEN Introducción: El régimen de trabajo por turnos es una forma común de organización laboral en el ámbito hospitalario, lo que permite una atención integral y continua a los pacientes. Uno de los sectores hospitalarios en los que se desarrolla esta asistencia es la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Los profesionales que trabajan en turnos están expuestos a variables laborales diferenciadas que suelen conducir a privación del sueño, fatiga y estrés, entre otros factores que pueden afectar su funcionamiento ejecutivo y su sueño. Objetivo: Evaluar los factores predictores del funcionamiento ejecutivo y del sueño de los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal, analítico y exploratorio, con aplicación de cuestionarios específicos al final de los turnos diurno y nocturno para evaluar el funcionamiento ejecutivo (ADEXI), la calidad del sueño (PSQI-BR) y la somnolencia diurna (ESE y ESS) en una muestra de 71 profesionales de la salud (médicos, fisioterapeutas, enfermeros y técnicos de enfermería) de la UCI de adultos del Hospital Universitario Lauro Wanderley (HULW), en el municipio de João Pessoa – Paraíba. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta en su mayoría por personas casadas (57,7%), del sexo femenino (62%), con una media de edad de 45,3 años, con posgrado (64,8%), y los técnicos de enfermería fueron mayoría (46,5%). En el funcionamiento ejecutivo, el análisis inferencial reveló una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la edad y la memoria de trabajo (a mayor edad, mejor desempeño) y entre el sexo y el control inhibitorio (el sexo femenino presentó peor desempeño). La variable ―horas de sueño/descanso por turno‖ fue significativa (dormir menos de 6 horas por turno aumenta la prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño), y por cada hora adicional en la carga horaria semanal se observó un aumento del 10% en la prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño entre estos profesionales. La prevalencia de SDE fue del 53,5% según la ESE y del 36,6% según la ESS. La variable ―turno de trabajo mixto‖ también fue significativa, aumentando en un 194% la prevalencia de somnolencia excesiva en estos profesionales. Conclusión: Este estudio fue consistente con la literatura existente al mostrar que existe una relación crítica entre el sueño y el funcionamiento ejecutivo, y que los profesionales de la salud están susceptibles a alteraciones en estos desenlaces debido a su rutina laboral diferenciada. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Tese