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Within a multicultural society, healthcare professionals (HPs) need to implement specific care pathways to meet the needs of patients with different cultural backgrounds who regularly present themselves in healthcare facilities in Italy. This study intends to examine the experiences and representations lived by HPs who deal with the care and management of foreign immigrant patients living in Italy, with chronic diseases. For this goal, a survey was conducted on a sample of 54 HPs recruited in hospital and outpatient facilities. The survey was analyzed with a quantitative analysis method. The results underlined that it is necessary to provide specific training paths to work with chronic immigrant patients, standardizing the training of medical staff both in hospitals and clinics, and providing for other types of professionals specialized in relations with foreign patients, to respond to all requests from foreign users, and not just healthcare ones. This study proposes a new survey model aimed at obtaining in-depth information on the representation of HPs towards the health and well-being of chronic immigrant patients, to provide concrete answers to the needs of the foreign population, providing for the collaboration of several specialised professionals.
Claudia Spinosa; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. Health care of immigrant patients in Italy: the perspective of health professionals. Medicina e Morale 2021, 70, 183 -194.
AMA StyleClaudia Spinosa, Laura Angioletti, Michela Balconi. Health care of immigrant patients in Italy: the perspective of health professionals. Medicina e Morale. 2021; 70 (2):183-194.
Chicago/Turabian StyleClaudia Spinosa; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. 2021. "Health care of immigrant patients in Italy: the perspective of health professionals." Medicina e Morale 70, no. 2: 183-194.
Human–computer interaction (HCI) is particularly interesting because full-immersive technology may be approached differently by users, depending on the complexity of the interaction, users’ personality traits, and their motivational systems inclination. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between psychological factors and attention towards specific tech-interactions in a smart home system (SHS). The relation between personal psychological traits and eye-tracking metrics is investigated through self-report measures [locus of control (LoC), user experience (UX), behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS)] and a wearable and wireless near-infrared illumination based eye-tracking system applied to an Italian sample (n = 19). Participants were asked to activate and interact with five different tech-interaction areas with different levels of complexity (entrance, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom) in a smart home system (SHS), while their eye-gaze behavior was recorded. Data showed significant differences between a simpler interaction (entrance) and a more complex one (living room), in terms of number of fixation. Moreover, slower time to first fixation in a multifaceted interaction (bathroom), compared to simpler ones (kitchen and living room) was found. Additionally, in two interaction conditions (living room and bathroom), negative correlations were found between external LoC and fixation count, and between BAS reward responsiveness scores and fixation duration. Findings led to the identification of a two-way process, where both the complexity of the tech-interaction and subjects’ personality traits are important impacting factors on the user’s visual exploration behavior. This research contributes to understand the user responsiveness adding first insights that may help to create more human-centered technology.
Federico Cassioli; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing 2021, 1 -10.
AMA StyleFederico Cassioli, Laura Angioletti, Michela Balconi. Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing. 2021; ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederico Cassioli; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. 2021. "Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures." Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing , no. : 1-10.
Objective. This research demonstrates that interoceptive attentiveness (IA) can modulate cortical oscillations related to the emotional and cognitive representations of observing pain in others. Methods. Twenty participants were required to observe painful/nonpainful stimuli in an individual versus the interactive condition during the recording of the electroencephalogram. The sample was divided into experimental (EXP) and control (CTR) groups, and the EXP group was explicitly required to direct the attention on its interoceptive correlates while observing the stimuli. Results. Mixed repeated measures, analyses of variance, were applied to each EEG frequency band. Significant findings were obtained mainly for theta and beta bands for the two groups. A hemispheric lateralisation effect was found, with right lateralisation of the theta band for the EXP group when observing painful stimuli and enhanced left activation of theta and beta bands for the CTR group when observing nonpainful stimuli. For both groups, frontal cortical regions were significantly sensitive to social scenarios, while posterior parietal activation was found for stimuli depicting the individual condition. Conclusions. The results suggest that IA might enhance the emotional representation of painful stimuli, highlighting their negative and unpleasant features in the EXP group, while the attention of the CTR group was mainly drawn to nonpainful stimuli in social and individual conditions, with a positive valence. The role of frontal regions in the processing of social stimuli through social cognition, inducing emotional mirroring and requiring deeper analysis of the social context, was underlined. We propose that IA could be trained for promoting emotion regulation and empathic response.
Michela Balconi; Laura Angioletti. One’s Interoception Affects the Representation of Seeing Others’ Pain: A Randomized Controlled qEEG Study. Pain Research and Management 2021, 2021, 1 -15.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Laura Angioletti. One’s Interoception Affects the Representation of Seeing Others’ Pain: A Randomized Controlled qEEG Study. Pain Research and Management. 2021; 2021 ():1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Laura Angioletti. 2021. "One’s Interoception Affects the Representation of Seeing Others’ Pain: A Randomized Controlled qEEG Study." Pain Research and Management 2021, no. : 1-15.
To gain a deeper understanding of consumers' brain responses during a real-time in-store exploration could help retailers to get much closer to costumers' experience. To our knowledge, this is the first time the specific role of touch has been investigated by means of a neuroscientific approach during consumer in-store experience within the field of sensory marketing. This study explores the presence of distinct cortical brain oscillations in consumers' brain while navigating a store that provides a high level of sensory arousal and being allowed or not to touch products. A 16-channel wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) was applied to 23 healthy participants (mean age = 24.57 years, SD = 3.54), with interest in cosmetics but naive about the store explored. Subjects were assigned to two experimental conditions based on the chance of touching or not touching the products. Cortical oscillations were explored by means of power spectral analysis of the following frequency bands: delta, theta, alpha, and beta. Results highlighted the presence of delta, theta, and beta bands within the frontal brain regions during both sensory conditions. The absence of touch was experienced as a lack of perception that needs cognitive control, as reflected by Delta and Theta band left activation, whereas a right increase of Beta band for touch condition was associated with sustained awareness on the sensory experience. Overall, EEG cortical oscillations' functional meaning could help highlight the neurophysiological implicit responses to tactile conditions and the importance of touch integration in consumers' experience.
Michela Balconi; Irene Venturella; Roberta Sebastiani; Laura Angioletti. Touching to Feel: Brain Activity During In-Store Consumer Experience. Frontiers in Psychology 2021, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Irene Venturella, Roberta Sebastiani, Laura Angioletti. Touching to Feel: Brain Activity During In-Store Consumer Experience. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Irene Venturella; Roberta Sebastiani; Laura Angioletti. 2021. "Touching to Feel: Brain Activity During In-Store Consumer Experience." Frontiers in Psychology 12, no. : 1.
In a multicultural diverse society, healthcare professionals (HPs) should adopt a personalized approach with adequate attitudes and behaviors to respond promptly to the needs of patients with different cultural backgrounds who become regular users of the health service. This study aimed to explore the health representations of HPs taking charge of immigrant chronic patients in Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed on a sample of 54 HPs. Mixed quali-quantitative analysis was applied, including the method of discourse analysis. Results underlined the prevalence of specific recurring topics and words that highlight positive aspects but also weaknesses in chronic care models for immigrant patients, stressing what needs to be done. Keystones are the relational experience between HPs and patients and new specific training opportunities for HPs. To conclude, a new semi-structured interview schedule is proposed, able to obtain in-depth information on the representation of HPs toward immigrant chronic patients.
Laura Angioletti; Claudia Spinosa; Michela Balconi. What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis. Journal of Public Health 2021, 1 -8.
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Claudia Spinosa, Michela Balconi. What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis. Journal of Public Health. 2021; ():1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Claudia Spinosa; Michela Balconi. 2021. "What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis." Journal of Public Health , no. : 1-8.
Given their crucial role in everyday activities and successful aging, prefrontal executive functions (EFs) and their neural substrates may be a critical target for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions. This study investigates the empowerment effects of a prefrontal multi-session NIBS intervention on EF in a sample of healthy aging people. The present report investigates the long-term maintenance effects of such intervention. The experimental design included a control and experimental group, who underwent a neuropsychological assessment before (t0) and after (t1) the intervention period, and at a 6-month follow-up (t2). The intervention period lasted 8 weeks with 3 NIBS sessions per week. Results highlighted the up modulations of fluid intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and verbal generation, and visual attention in the experimental group partially maintained even at t2. Present findings may point out the potential of NIBS protocols targeting executive control and of upregulation of compensatory cortical activation even in healthy aging.
Michela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Federico Cassioli; Davide Crivelli. Neurocognitive Empowerment in Healthy Aging: a Pilot Study on the Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Executive Functions. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement 2021, 5, 343 -350.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Laura Angioletti, Federico Cassioli, Davide Crivelli. Neurocognitive Empowerment in Healthy Aging: a Pilot Study on the Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Executive Functions. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. 2021; 5 (3):343-350.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Federico Cassioli; Davide Crivelli. 2021. "Neurocognitive Empowerment in Healthy Aging: a Pilot Study on the Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Executive Functions." Journal of Cognitive Enhancement 5, no. 3: 343-350.
Thomas J. Yannuzzi; Deborah N. Smith; Michela Balconi; Kimberly R. Davis; Giulia Fronda; Laura Angioletti. Emergent Methodologies: New Approaches for Integrating Theory and Practice: Priority 9 of the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020–2025. Journal of Leadership Studies 2020, 14, 90 -96.
AMA StyleThomas J. Yannuzzi, Deborah N. Smith, Michela Balconi, Kimberly R. Davis, Giulia Fronda, Laura Angioletti. Emergent Methodologies: New Approaches for Integrating Theory and Practice: Priority 9 of the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020–2025. Journal of Leadership Studies. 2020; 14 (3):90-96.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas J. Yannuzzi; Deborah N. Smith; Michela Balconi; Kimberly R. Davis; Giulia Fronda; Laura Angioletti. 2020. "Emergent Methodologies: New Approaches for Integrating Theory and Practice: Priority 9 of the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020–2025." Journal of Leadership Studies 14, no. 3: 90-96.
Empathy for pain is at the basis of altruistic behaviors and is known to be modulated by variables such as group membership, pleasantness or unpleasantness of situations and social relationships. Also, face attractiveness and aesthetic judgment might play a role when observing a person in painful conditions, by increasing individuals’ empathic responsiveness. Indeed, physical attractiveness can modify both the perception of the face itself and its reception in a social context. In the present study, we aimed to assess cortical activity when attention is focused on the aesthetic features of an individual showing painful feelings. Brain activity (optical imaging: functional near-infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS), considered in its hemodynamic components (oxygenated [oxy-Hb] and deoxygenated hemoglobin [deoxy-Hb]) was monitored when 22 subjects (Mage = 24.9; SD = 3.6) observed faces (attractive; unattractive) that received painful stimulations (pain; no pain) and were asked to judge the attractiveness and pain condition of the face. Specifically, we targeted the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), sensory cortex, and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). Analyses revealed significant lower oxy-Hb levels in left IFG compared to right hemispheric channels when asking participants to rate faces attractiveness independently from the stimulus features. Besides, lower levels of deoxy-Hb were detected in the right TPJ for unattractive faces compared to attractive faces. Overall, present findings highlighted that the formulation of an aesthetic judgment and face attractiveness plays a relevant role in empathic concerns and this seems to be able to overlay painful appraisal.
Michela Balconi; Natalia Kopis; Laura Angioletti. Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study. Experimental Brain Research 2020, 238, 2067 -2076.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Natalia Kopis, Laura Angioletti. Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study. Experimental Brain Research. 2020; 238 (9):2067-2076.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Natalia Kopis; Laura Angioletti. 2020. "Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study." Experimental Brain Research 238, no. 9: 2067-2076.
Impaired metacognition and impulsivity are critical factors in pathological gambling behavior subsistence. This study aims at jointly exploring metacognitive skills and impulsivity levels in subgroups of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients with different gambling status. 48 PD participants were divided into three subgroups: PD Gamblers (PDG), PD patients with a previous history of gambling and PD controls. Impulsivity was assessed by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. After performing the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), patients filled in a self-report measure to assess their metacognitive strategies. Findings highlighted that PDG showed higher levels of impulsivity than PD controls as reflected by clinical scales and behavioral measure. Also, PDG displayed a worse performance at IGT although they stated to use an efficacious strategy, suggesting then an erroneous metacognitive representation. Overall findings proposed that high levels of impulsivity combined with an explicit metacognitive bias on self-efficacy could intervene in the persistence of pathological gambling behavior in PD patients.
Laura Angioletti; Salvatore Campanella; Michela Balconi. Metacognition deficits and impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease patients with and without gambling behavior: A pilot study. Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research 2020, 36, 88 -95.
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Salvatore Campanella, Michela Balconi. Metacognition deficits and impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease patients with and without gambling behavior: A pilot study. Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research. 2020; 36 ():88-95.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Salvatore Campanella; Michela Balconi. 2020. "Metacognition deficits and impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease patients with and without gambling behavior: A pilot study." Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research 36, no. : 88-95.
Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. Neuroscience for smart domotic environments and intelligent spaces. Neuropsychological Trends 2019, 93 -101.
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Michela Balconi. Neuroscience for smart domotic environments and intelligent spaces. Neuropsychological Trends. 2019; (26):93-101.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. 2019. "Neuroscience for smart domotic environments and intelligent spaces." Neuropsychological Trends , no. 26: 93-101.
Increased attention and lower stress levels are associated with more functional and safe driving behavior, since they contribute to reduce distractibility and risk-taking at the wheel. Previous neuroscience research highlighted that NeuroFeedback (NF) training mediated by wearable devices could be effective in terms of neurocognitive strengthening and attention regulation with a direct effect on driving attentional performance. Thus, this research aims to test the effectiveness of a NF protocol on a sample of drivers, to observe its impact on attentional skills and psychophysiological levels of stress involved in driving behavior. 50 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and active control group. The experimental condition consisted of a 21-day mindfulness NF training with incremental duration sessions. A pre- (t0) and post-treatment (t1) assessment included behavioral, psychometric, neuropsychological, and psychophysiological autonomic measures. Specifically, the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) and the Active Box (AB) device were used to evaluate the everyday driving behavior. Results underlined an improvement in driving behavior performance and a decrease of violations at the wheel of the experimental group (EXPg) at t1 measured, respectively by AB and DBQ. About the autonomic and neuropsychological measure, an increase in heart rate (HR) and an increased accuracy at the Stroop Task were detected: a specific increase of Stroop-related HR was found for the EXPg at t1. Also, reduced reaction times were found in the Multiple Features Target Cancellation for the EXPg at t1. Overall, the EXPg displayed a physiological, behavioral and neuropsychological increased efficiency related to attention as well as a driving-related behavioral improvement after NF training.
Michela Balconi; Davide Crivelli; Laura Angioletti. Efficacy of a Neurofeedback Training on Attention and Driving Performance: Physiological and Behavioral Measures. Frontiers in Neuroscience 2019, 13, 996 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Davide Crivelli, Laura Angioletti. Efficacy of a Neurofeedback Training on Attention and Driving Performance: Physiological and Behavioral Measures. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019; 13 ():996.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Davide Crivelli; Laura Angioletti. 2019. "Efficacy of a Neurofeedback Training on Attention and Driving Performance: Physiological and Behavioral Measures." Frontiers in Neuroscience 13, no. : 996.
Little is presently known about customers’ expectations and the unspoken relevant factors which lead them to prefer or not sustainable luxury products. This study aimed to deepen the understanding of luxury consumers’ implicit intentions towards sustainability by using, for the first time, a neuroscientific approach applied to the luxury fashion domain. A greater cortical activity related to cognitive and emotional aspects was hypothesized for luxury sustainability-oriented consumers than for non-sustainability-oriented subjects when presented with sustainability-related cues. Sixteen luxury consumers were divided into two groups according to their sensitivity towards sustainability issues. They were asked to observe a set of 10 stimuli depicting sustainability issues and then to interact with a salesperson while their cortical activity was recorded by an electroencephalogram (EEG). Frequency band analysis revealed higher levels of beta, delta, and theta band EEG activity in temporoparietal than frontocentral areas when observing pictures related to sustainability and a specific right temporoparietal theta band activation for the Nonsustainable Group. An increased level of knowledge of sustainability themes was confirmed by the correct detection of stimuli valence and a significant presence of delta power when the salesperson explained the brand’s sustainable policy. The specific brain responses related to sensitivity towards sustainability and the different effect of knowledge on sustainability topics based on group differences are discussed here in light of emotional behavior.
Michela Balconi; Roberta Sebastiani; Laura Angioletti. A Neuroscientific Approach to Explore Consumers’ Intentions Towards Sustainability within the Luxury Fashion Industry. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5105 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Roberta Sebastiani, Laura Angioletti. A Neuroscientific Approach to Explore Consumers’ Intentions Towards Sustainability within the Luxury Fashion Industry. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (18):5105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Roberta Sebastiani; Laura Angioletti. 2019. "A Neuroscientific Approach to Explore Consumers’ Intentions Towards Sustainability within the Luxury Fashion Industry." Sustainability 11, no. 18: 5105.
Recently, it has been demonstrated that chronic inflammation could have a role on fatigue onset in chronic hemodialysis (HD). Research on neuro-immune interactions highlighted that an alteration of basal ganglia functioning, secondary to chronic inflammation, may translate in a reduced motivation and altered reward processes in chronic diseases. This study investigated a possible correlation between fatigue severity and reward mechanisms, that regulate motivational dispositions, in HD patients. Evaluation scales were administered to ninety-four patients on HD (54 Male, 40 Female; Mdage = 67±26.5; Dialytic Mdage in years = 4±6.3. Fatigue was assessed by using Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioural Activation System (BAS) Scale was administered to investigate approach/avoidance behaviours. Anxiety and depression were measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results show that the distribution of HD patients for FSS score did not show a normal pattern. FSS score was significantly higher in patients with high BIS Z-score than in patients with low and medium BIS Z-score. BDI score and STAI-Y scores were similar among BIS Z-score groups of patients. Findings suggest that in patients on chronic hemodialysis there is a correlation between fatigue severity symptoms and motivational disposition mechanisms that predispose to action inhibition.
Maurizio Bossola; Laura Angioletti; Enrico Di Stasio; Carlo Vulpio; Daniela De Filippis; Michela Balconi. Reward (BIS/BAS) mechanisms and fatigue in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Psychology, Health & Medicine 2019, 25, 710 -718.
AMA StyleMaurizio Bossola, Laura Angioletti, Enrico Di Stasio, Carlo Vulpio, Daniela De Filippis, Michela Balconi. Reward (BIS/BAS) mechanisms and fatigue in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2019; 25 (6):710-718.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaurizio Bossola; Laura Angioletti; Enrico Di Stasio; Carlo Vulpio; Daniela De Filippis; Michela Balconi. 2019. "Reward (BIS/BAS) mechanisms and fatigue in patients on chronic hemodialysis." Psychology, Health & Medicine 25, no. 6: 710-718.
Nowadays there is a growing interest in exploring causes of fatigue symptoms and the possible linked aspects in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Inflammatory processes were demonstrated to influence motivational systems functioning in chronic conditions. However, there is a lack of connection between quantitative motivational systems measure and patients self-report motivational and fatigue issue. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify an association between HD patients reward mechanisms, fatigue severity and psychosocial variables emerging from semi-structured interviews. Interviews were held for a sample of ninety-four patients (54 males, 40 females; Mage = 62.98 ± 17.94; dialytic mean age in months = 76.55 ± 84.89) receiving chronic HD treatment and consequently analyzed by means of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Behavioral motivation systems reflecting inhibition/approach tendency to rewards were measured by Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System (BIS/BAS) scale and the fatigue severity experienced by HD patients was measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale. Scale results were correlated to psychosocial variables and topics derived from the semi-structured interviews. Findings highlight the presence of two effects: one related to the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) as a protective factor against the HD treatment pervasive consequences; the other one deals with the self-reported levels of fatigue that seemed to significantly interfere with patients' daily life, as a function of gender. Such results encourage the use of a mixed method approach to understand the complexity of the subjective experience of patients' facing chronic disease and treatments.
Michela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Daniela De Filippis; Maurizio Bossola. Association between fatigue, motivational measures (BIS/BAS) and semi-structured psychosocial interview in hemodialytic treatment. BMC Psychology 2019, 7, 49 .
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Laura Angioletti, Daniela De Filippis, Maurizio Bossola. Association between fatigue, motivational measures (BIS/BAS) and semi-structured psychosocial interview in hemodialytic treatment. BMC Psychology. 2019; 7 (1):49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Daniela De Filippis; Maurizio Bossola. 2019. "Association between fatigue, motivational measures (BIS/BAS) and semi-structured psychosocial interview in hemodialytic treatment." BMC Psychology 7, no. 1: 49.
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a relatively new neuroimagingtechnique adequate and useful for exploring neural activity in social contexts involving humaninteractions. Compared to functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), fNIRS is easy-to-usesafe, noninvasive, silent, relatively low cost and portable, and applicable to subjects of all ages, thusresulting in a good option for ecological studies involving humans in their real-life context.Moreover, by using hyperscanning technique, fNIRS allows recording the hemodynamic cerebralactivity of two interacting subjects in an ecological context or during a shared performance. Thus,moving from a simple analysis about each subject’s neural response during joint actions towardsmore complex computations makes possible to investigate brain synchrony, that is the if and howone’s brain activity is related to that of another interacting partner simultaneously recorded. Here,we discuss how connectivity analyses, with respect to both time and frequency domain procedures,permitted to deepen some aspects of inter-brain synchrony in relation to emotional closeness, and tohighlight how concurrent, cooperative actions can lead to interpersonal synchrony and bondconstruction.
Laura Angioletti; Maria Elide Vanutelli; Giulia Fronda; Michela Balconi. Exploring the Connected Brain by fNIRS: Human-to-Human Interactions Engineering. Applied Mechanics and Materials 2019, 893, 13 -19.
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Maria Elide Vanutelli, Giulia Fronda, Michela Balconi. Exploring the Connected Brain by fNIRS: Human-to-Human Interactions Engineering. Applied Mechanics and Materials. 2019; 893 ():13-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Maria Elide Vanutelli; Giulia Fronda; Michela Balconi. 2019. "Exploring the Connected Brain by fNIRS: Human-to-Human Interactions Engineering." Applied Mechanics and Materials 893, no. : 13-19.
Psychopathological components, such as reward sensitivity and impulsivity, and dopaminergic treatment are crucial characteristics related to the development of Pathological Gambling (PG) in Parkinson's Disease (PD). The aim of the present study is to investigate the differences in decision-making in PD patients with or without PG considering both neurophysiological and behavioral aspects. The IOWA Gambling Task (IGT) and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity were considered to elucidate the decision and post-feedback processes in PG. The sample included fifty-two PD patients, divided in three groups: 17 PD patients with active gambling behavior (PD Gamblers, PDG); 15 PD patients who remitted from PG (PD Non-Gamblers, PDNG); and a Control Group (CG) composed by 20 patients with PD only. EEG and IGT performance were recorded during decision and post-feedback phase. Results showed worse performance and an increase of the low frequency bands in the frontal area for the PDG group compared to the other two groups. In addition, higher BAS (Behavioral Activation System) and BIS-11 (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) personality components were correlated to groups' behavioral response. These results show an anomalous behavioral (IGT) and cortical response of PDG patients related to their inability to use adequate control mechanisms during a decision-making task where reward mechanisms (BAS) and impulsivity (BIS-11) are relevant.
Michela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Chiara Siri; Nicoletta Meucci; Gianni Pezzoli. Gambling behavior in Parkinson's Disease: Impulsivity, reward mechanism and cortical brain oscillations. Psychiatry Research 2018, 270, 974 -980.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Laura Angioletti, Chiara Siri, Nicoletta Meucci, Gianni Pezzoli. Gambling behavior in Parkinson's Disease: Impulsivity, reward mechanism and cortical brain oscillations. Psychiatry Research. 2018; 270 ():974-980.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Laura Angioletti; Chiara Siri; Nicoletta Meucci; Gianni Pezzoli. 2018. "Gambling behavior in Parkinson's Disease: Impulsivity, reward mechanism and cortical brain oscillations." Psychiatry Research 270, no. : 974-980.
Previous work showed that, when we interact with other people, an alignment of psychophysiological measures occur as a clue about the intensity of the social interaction. Available evidence highlighted increase autonomic synchrony, known as physiological linkage, during intense dyadic situations, like conflictual conversations within romantic couples, friends, or therapeutic settings. Starting from the idea that higher physiological linkage could support better performance and be correlated with approach attitudes (Behavioral Activation System, BAS), in the present study a conflictual situation was proposed by making subjects compete during an attentional task and stressing the importance to win as a measure of future professional success. Autonomic activity (electrodermal: skin conductance level and response: SCL, SCR; and cardiovascular indices: heart rate: HR) was recorded during the task, where subjects received trial-related feedbacks on their performance, and an average score halfway which (fictitiously) assessed their position in terms of accuracy and reaction times with respect to the opponent. In parallel, behavioral inhibition and activation have been assessed by means of the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System Questionnaire (BIS/BAS). 32 subjects coupled in 16 dyads were recruited. Intra-subject analyses revealed that, after the general evaluation assessing a winning condition, the behavioral performance improved and the electrodermal response increased. Also, correlational analyses showed a relation between BAS, and specifically BAS reward, with SCR. Inter-subject analyses showed higher synchrony in SCR and HR after the feedback. Such results confirm the increased synchronic effect after a highly conflictual condition, and the presence of a relation between subjective performance, approach-related motivations, and physiological linkage.
Maria Elide Vanutelli; Laura Gatti; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. May the Best Joint-Actions Win: Physiological Linkage During Competition. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 2018, 43, 227 -237.
AMA StyleMaria Elide Vanutelli, Laura Gatti, Laura Angioletti, Michela Balconi. May the Best Joint-Actions Win: Physiological Linkage During Competition. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. 2018; 43 (3):227-237.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Elide Vanutelli; Laura Gatti; Laura Angioletti; Michela Balconi. 2018. "May the Best Joint-Actions Win: Physiological Linkage During Competition." Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 43, no. 3: 227-237.
Fatigue is an incapacitating symptom for patients on chronic hemodialysis treatment. This study explored the relationship between hemodialysis patients’ subjective experience and motivation. The investigation of patients’ narratives and fatigue-related factors was performed by holding semi-structured interviews with 31 hemodialysis patients. Fatigue Severity Scale and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System questionnaire were used to assess fatigue severity and motivational mechanisms. Results showed significant differences in the use of specific topics and words (such as “family,” “to manage,” “dialysis,” “psychological issues”) depending on high, medium, and low Behavioral Inhibition System, Behavioral Activation System, and Fatigue Severity Scale scores, indicating that hemodialysis patients’ narratives contain keywords related to the motivational sphere.
Laura Angioletti; Maurizio Bossola; Daniela De Filippis; Michela Balconi. Lived experiences of patients on hemodialytic treatment: A discursive perspective on fatigue and motivational issues. Health Psychology Open 2018, 5, 1 .
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Maurizio Bossola, Daniela De Filippis, Michela Balconi. Lived experiences of patients on hemodialytic treatment: A discursive perspective on fatigue and motivational issues. Health Psychology Open. 2018; 5 (2):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Maurizio Bossola; Daniela De Filippis; Michela Balconi. 2018. "Lived experiences of patients on hemodialytic treatment: A discursive perspective on fatigue and motivational issues." Health Psychology Open 5, no. 2: 1.
PDG patients differed from PDNG and CG from both behavioral and brain response to decision-making. Overall, these effects confirm a pathological condition related to cognitive and emotional aspects which makes the patients with PGD victims of their dysfunctional behavior.
Michela Balconi; Chiara Siri; Nicoletta Meucci; Gianni Pezzoli; Laura Angioletti. Personality Traits and Cortical Activity Affect Gambling Behavior in Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Parkinson's Disease 2018, 8, 341 -352.
AMA StyleMichela Balconi, Chiara Siri, Nicoletta Meucci, Gianni Pezzoli, Laura Angioletti. Personality Traits and Cortical Activity Affect Gambling Behavior in Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Parkinson's Disease. 2018; 8 (2):341-352.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Balconi; Chiara Siri; Nicoletta Meucci; Gianni Pezzoli; Laura Angioletti. 2018. "Personality Traits and Cortical Activity Affect Gambling Behavior in Parkinson’s Disease." Journal of Parkinson's Disease 8, no. 2: 341-352.
According to the somatic marker hypothesis, autonomic measures and arousal modulation can reveal a difference in subgroups of patients developing impaired decision‐making because of addictions. Previously, Pathological Gambling (PG) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) have been associated with differential arousal levels during gambling behavior. However, no research considered the specific autonomic responses of Parkinson's Disease patients with pathological gambling and with a previous history of gambling. Thus, this study investigated Skin Conductance Responses (SCRs), Skin Conductance Level (SCL) and Heart Rate (HR) during the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) in two groups of PD patients with gambling disorder, active (PD Gamblers; n=14) or remitted (PD Non‐Gamblers; n=13) and a control group of patients with Parkinson's Disease only (n=13). Anticipatory autonomic responses to Disadvantageous Decks and Advantageous Decks during the Iowa Gambling Task were measured for each participant. The PD Gamblers group performed worse than the PD Non‐Gamblers and the control groups at the IGT task and exhibited lower SCRs, SCL and HR during the decision‐making processing of cards belonging to disadvantageous decks. The role of autonomic and behavioral measures was considered This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Laura Angioletti; Chiara Siri; Nicoletta Meucci; Gianni Pezzoli; Michela Balconi. Pathological Gambling in Parkinson's disease: Autonomic measures supporting impaired decision‐making. European Journal of Neuroscience 2018, 50, 2392 -2400.
AMA StyleLaura Angioletti, Chiara Siri, Nicoletta Meucci, Gianni Pezzoli, Michela Balconi. Pathological Gambling in Parkinson's disease: Autonomic measures supporting impaired decision‐making. European Journal of Neuroscience. 2018; 50 (3):2392-2400.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Angioletti; Chiara Siri; Nicoletta Meucci; Gianni Pezzoli; Michela Balconi. 2018. "Pathological Gambling in Parkinson's disease: Autonomic measures supporting impaired decision‐making." European Journal of Neuroscience 50, no. 3: 2392-2400.