https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/tede/7676 PPGNEC Wed, 02 Sep 2026 07:40:10 GMT 2026-09-02T07:40:10Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38814 Título: Contato com a natureza em realidade virtual: efeitos psicofisiológicos em universitários Autor(es): Lima, Thalita Viegas dos Santos Orientador: Lopez, Luiz Carlos Serramo Abstract: The fast-paced nature of urban life, combined with increasing disconnection from natural environments, has been associated with elevated stress symptoms and negative impacts on mental health. A growing body of evidence suggests that contact with nature promotes significant restorative effects, both psychological and physiological. However, in urban settings, access to natural environments can be limited, prompting the exploration of alternatives such as virtual reality (VR). This experimental study, using a crossover design, aimed to investigate the immediate effects of a brief exposure to virtual nature—via the game Nature Treks VR—on heart rate variability (HRV) in university students following a cognitive stressor. A total of 39 participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Continuous physiological data were collected using the Polar H10 chest strap, and psychological scales were administered at baseline. Results indicated that both VR and passive rest facilitated autonomic recovery. Although no significant differences were observed between conditions for most HRV indices, a significant reduction in heart rate was found in the group exposed to VR. Furthermore, symptoms of depression, stress, mindfulness levels, and life satisfaction showed meaningful associations with physiological indices, suggesting that individual characteristics influence autonomic recovery responses. These findings support the potential of virtual nature as a complementary tool for well-being promotion, particularly in academic environments, and underscore the need for future studies with larger samples and longitudinal designs. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38814 2025-10-22T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38245 Título: Análise eletrofisiológica do reconhecimento facial após o acidente vascular encefálico: um estudo com o protocolo de estimulação visual periódica rápida Autor(es): Nascimento, Paulo Frassinetti Delfino do Orientador: Alves, Nelson Torro Abstract: This thesis investigated the neurophysiological markers of facial processing in healthy elderly individuals and post-Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) patients. The central objective was to validate the applicability and sensitivity of the Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation (FPVS- Oddball) protocol coupled with EEG as an assessment tool. The methodology, structured across three studies, utilized the FPVS-Oddball paradigm to compare young adults, healthy elderly individuals, and post-CVA patients (with right-hemisphere (RH) or left-hemisphere (LH) lesions) in tasks involving recognition (face vs. object), facial identity discrimination, and discrimination of facial emotional expressions (joy/anger vs. neutral). The protocol is based on measuring neural synchronization at a base frequency (e.g., 6 Hz) to evaluate general visual processing, and at an Oddball frequency (e.g., 1.2 Hz) to assess specific high-order discrimination. Neurophysiological findings indicated that while healthy aging modulates this capacity, CVA induces a pronounced deficit. The results revealed a functional dissociation: whereas low-level visual processing (base frequency) was preserved in the clinical group, a drastic reduction or absence of the specific neural response (Oddball) for discriminating identities and emotions was observed. This impairment was significantly more pronounced in patients with RH lesions, corroborating the dominance of this hemisphere for complex facial functions. It is concluded that the FPVS-Oddball constitutes an objective, rapid, and sensitive tool with high potential for diagnosing and monitoring deficits in social cognition within clinical populations. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Tese Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38245 2025-09-11T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38217 Título: Intervenção online de mindfulness no ambiente de trabalho efeitos sobre o estresse e a qualidade de vida de operadores de telemarketing Autor(es): Monteiro, Raissa Ester Maia Orientador: Lopez, Luiz Carlos Serramo Abstract: Stress brings a range of maladaptive consequences to well-being. It stands out as one of the major risk factors for workers' health, leading to pathologies that harm both the body and the mind, significantly compromising quality of life. The practice of mindfulness is understood as an important therapeutic tool for stress reduction, through the observation of experiences as they occur, prioritizing the present moment. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of online mindfulness interventions on stress levels and well-being among telemarketing operators. To achieve this, three studies were conducted. The first, in the format of a literature review, intended to introduce the topic with key concepts and themes that support the research. The second, in the format of a mediation article, aimed to explore how the mindfulness trait could play a significant mediating role in the relationship between psychological quality of life and stress levels among call center professionals. And finally, the third article, structured as a randomized clinical trial, sought to evaluate the impact of an online mindfulness intervention on stress levels and quality of life among telemarketing operators. Specifically regarding the studies developed through online data collection and quantitative analysis procedures, two groups were studied: an experimental group (Group A) and a waitlist control group (Group B). The experimental group received an intervention consisting of four asynchronous video sessions containing mindfulness practices, each approximately 20 minutes long, with one video sent per week over four weeks. Participants also received audio recordings and illustrative and theoretical booklets designed to offer further support for the mindfulness practices. The waitlist control group likewise received the same videos, recordings, and booklets. However, unlike Group A, which completed the post-intervention and follow-up questionnaires after the intervention, Group B completed the post-intervention and follow-up assessments before receiving the intervention protocol. Five instruments were selected for data collection: (i) a sociodemographic questionnaire; (ii) the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); (iii) the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-BR); (iv) the SelfCompassion Scale (SCS-BR); and (v) the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Instruments were applied at three distinct moments: pre-intervention, postintervention, and four-week follow-up. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in Resolution n. 466/2012. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using the SPSS software. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Overall, the three articles indicated that mindfulness practices contribute to stress reduction among telemarketing operators. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Tese Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38217 2025-06-16T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38077 Título: Efeitos do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus Officinalis L. na cognição humana: revisão sistemática Autor(es): Pacífico, Heloisa de Freitas Orientador: Pordeus, Liana Clébia de Morais Abstract: One of the alternative therapies is aromatherapy and it has done by extracting essential oil. Rosmarinus Officinalis L. (rosemary) is a medicinal plant that has been highlighted in aromatherapy research, because the studies obtained demonstrate that the use to Rosmarinus Officinalis L. essential oil (rosemary essential oil) is one of the promising non-pharmacological therapies for cognition. The aim of this systematic review was to verify the effect of rosemary essential oil on human cognition according to the PRISMA model. The systematic review protocol number was registered in Prospero (CRD42021256471). Quantitative articles with different designs that assess the outcomes of the rosemary essential oil on cognition were selected. The main exclusion criteria were (a) qualitative studies (b) studies with animal models, (c) use of rosemary tablets (Mg) and/or (d) in combination with other essential oils. Thus, two researchers independently performed a literature search in the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, Embase and Gray Literature (Google Scholar) databases. In the initial phase of article selection, the researchers independently checked only the titles and abstracts of the articles. At this stage of the systematic review, the Rayyan was used. After this step, the full reading of the articles was done to examine when they really met the inclusion criteria. Data from the selected articles were extracted by the two researchers from a standardized table containing the variables of interest: Authors/year of publication, study design, sample, amount of essential oil (drops or mL), duration of vaporization, time of exhibition, tool used to evaluate the result of the rosemary essential oil, results and conclusion. Subsequently, the researchers assessed the methodological quality of the articles using the Effective Public Health Project Practice Quality Assessment Tool. Initially, 2,581 articles were identified in the searched databases. 15 articles met the inclusion criteria (two duplicates) and were eligible for full text reading and analysis. Of the 15 articles, 9 were included in the systematic review. Studies were grouped according to cognitive domains (long-term memory or attention and working memory). 4 studies investigated the effect of rosemary essential oil on memory, among them, 2 investigated rosemary essential oil in adults and 1 investigated in the elderly and 7 studies investigated the effect of rosemary essential oil on attention and working memory (2 used a sample of adults, 2 studies were with adolescents, 1 was with children and 2 were with the elderly). The studies selected based on the inclusion criteria of this systematic review demonstrated the significant results of rosemary essential oil in the cognition of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. The main limitations of this systematic review were the methodological differences between the studies, in addition, studies in this area generally focus more on the investigation of episodic memory and working memory. Another limitation is that the studies were classified as having poor and moderate methodological quality. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/38077 2021-09-27T00:00:00Z