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Neuropsychological assessment of attention: Symbols and digits test.

2018 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Guevara-Maldonado C.B. , Zapata-Rodríguez M. , Apolo-Buenaño D.

Introduction: The symbol digit modality test is a reactive which provides great support in neuropsychological evaluation. Its execution permits to evaluate brain functions such as visual perception, stimuli recognition, attention (focal, selective and sustained), task supervision, interference control among others. Object: The purpose of the current research study was to analyze the normative percentiles of the execution of the test, to identify the performance activity of the reactive according to age group and gender; applying the test in a sample of college students. Method: The sample included 250 university students,142 (56.8%) males and 108 (43.2%) females. The age range of the participants was between 18 and 34 years old (M=21.53, DE=2.25). A transversal, non-experimental, quantitative research model with a correlational scope was used. Results: The correct answer average for the test was 52.83 (DE=13,60) and for percentile P5 31,55 right answers were found; for percentile P75 60,00 right answers, P25 had 46,00 right answers, and for P95 74,45 right answers were found. No significant differences were found for the mean of errors in the test in terms of age group f(3, 246)=0,67, p=0,57 and gender t(248)=0,68, p=0,49 of the participants as comparison factor. Conclusions: Results were discussed based on prior research pointing out the importance of counting with a first statistical parameter of the test as ground for neuropsychological clinical practice in Ecuador. © 2018 Fundacion para la difusion neurologica en Ecuador - FUNDINE. All rights reserved.

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Systematic Review of Technological Methods of Evaluation of Executive Functions

2024 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , García-Cruz P. , Bolaños-Pasquel M.

Executive functions are a set of high-level skills that allow humans to consciously regulate their cognition and behavior. The main executive functions are inhibitory control, planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, among others. The use of technological resources is key to evaluate executive functions, since, in today’s society; technological resources are part of the daily life of the human being and must be present in the evaluation processes of these mental abilities. In this context, this article presents a systematic review study that has sought to identify the main technological developments that are used in the evaluation of executive functions. For this study, articles published in the Scopus database were analyzed, finding 350 studies and after the inclusion and exclusion process, we worked with eight studies that developed technological devices to evaluate executive functions. The developed devices have the benefit of assessing executive functions such as inhibition, working memory, decision making, among others. Finally, it is important to mention that technological development in neuropsychological evaluation is still in its beginnings and it is necessary to work on this line of research to have more devices to achieve this goal. © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Rehabilitation of Children Affected by Attention Deficit Disorder

2021 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica , Saez-Delgado F.

This paper presents the conceptual development of a technological application for the treatment of children with attention deficit disorder (ADD). This technological application will consist on serious-gaming to stimulate the different levels of attention. The first level is focused in attention and stimulates it by identifying stimuli through tactile interaction with the user. The second level is selective attention, for which, the child must select a stimulus leaving the irrelevant stimuli aside. The third level will work on sustained attention, where the child must fulfill a game with a longer duration. The next level will contain an activity to stimulate alternating attention, where the child must solve two tasks by alternating the focus of attention. Finally, for the divided attention, it must be resolved two tasks at the same time. With this application it is expected to improve the child’s motivation in the treatment and provide an intervention tool for the clinician. © 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Moderator Role of Monitoring in the Inhibitory Control of Adolescents With ADHD

2021 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Pérez-Salas C.

Objective: The aim of this research was to analyze the role of monitoring in the causal relationship between inhibitory control and symptoms of combined ADHD. Method: It has been conducted a quantitative investigation of two phases. Results: In the first study, a moderation model was analyzed (N = 144 adolescents with combined ADHD), where monitoring was considered as a moderating variable in the causal relationship between the inhibitory control and the symptomatology of ADHD F(3, 140) = 28.03, p <.001; R2 =.37. In the second study, the model through an experimental study was tested (N = 52 adolescents with and without ADHD) where it was found that adolescents with ADHD improve in their inhibitory control when they receive external support to the monitoring F(1, 50) = 21.38, p <.001, η2 =.30. Conclusion: Results suggest that monitoring compensates the poor performance of inhibitory control in adolescents with ADHD, which is a contribution to the theoretical construction of ADHD and to the treatments proposed for this condition because it goes beyond the classic conception of a causality chain among the deficit of inhibitory control and ADHD symptomatology to propose a new explanation about this disorder, where neuropsychology intervention of monitoring would diminish ADHD’s symptomatology impact on adolescents. © ©The Author(s) 2018.

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Neuropsychological treatment of ADHD in preschool: Training of executive function [Tratamiento Neuropsicológico del TDAH en Preescolares: Entrenamiento de la Función Ejecutiva]

2016 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Bolaños M. , Paredes L. , Ramos D.

Preschoolers who have symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity and attention deficit manifest alterations in the executive functions: inhibitory control, working memory, monitoring and self-directed speech. It is essential in the preschool classroom to identify children who have difficulty regulating their behavior. The importance of this early detection is the possibility of avoiding a picture of ADHD with greater complexity in the child's future. Training of executive function in children who could present these symptoms has been described as a highly effective strategy. Researches affirm that training of executive function would decrease the likelihood that a child will have ADHD at school age if he had received early attention from preschool. From the clinical experience it has witnessed the evolution of cases of children identified preschool with symptoms of ADHD, and then do a training executive functions for periods of one to two years better, and even at the beginning of schooling have a less severe psychopathology, unlike children who have not received this early intervention. In this paper I will describe the clinical picture of ADHD in initial preschool, the relationship between this disorder and executive function and some strategies in the training of executive functions.

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Interactive Model of Executive Functions to Understand Error Correction

2022 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Cruz Cárdenas, Jorge , Ramos V.

This article reports an investigation aimed at analyzing an interactive model of executive functions, which seeks to explain the process followed by human beings to correct their mistakes. The method followed was an analysis based on structural equations, considering the maximum likelihood process around a model that considered six executive functions. We worked with a randomized sample of 771 subjects (mean age = 39.86, SD = 15.47; 50.5%, women, 50.50%). The findings suggest that error correction is a complex executive function as it is the product of the internal language capacity that regulates behavior and cognition, adequate regulation of the limbic system, adequate decision-making, and control of automatic impulses, determining how to act and verify the thoughts and behavior of the subject. The contribution of the proposed theoretical model lies in understanding the process by which human beings manage to correct errors. In addition, how this explanatory model could help neuropsychological intervention processes to work on this cognitive ability in individuals with difficulties in correcting errors. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee ESJ, Italy.

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Technology in Favor of Disability: Prevalence Study in Ecuador

2021 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Acosta-Rodas P. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

People with disabilities and special needs are very important part of the society, their needs have not been covered over time. Globalization and technological development helped identify the importance of various groups with disabilities. In Ecuador, this identification allows this social group to be visible and particularly people with visual disabilities, who represent approximately 11% of the population with disabilities. The objective of this research is to identify Ecuador’s cities that maintain a higher prevalence of people with disabilities. To comply with the study, a descriptive analysis was conducted from public information about people registered by the authorized government control body. Obtaining this information makes it possible to establish a baseline of attention with real data, which allows getting a greater focus on the development of this social group and the attention they should receive. © 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Estructura factorial del sentido de coherencia y su Relación de Apego

2020 , Ortiz-Granja D. , Jayo-Suquillo L. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

The Sense of Coherence is formed by three factors: comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. In this study, its factorial structure was analyzed through assessment with the SOC-29 scale and its relationship with attachment. Three hypotheses were proposed to assess the reliability, convergent validity and factorial structure, using a sample of 445 participants. Statistical analysis was based on descriptive techniques, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation and confirmatory factor analysis. The results obtained provide evidence in favor of the hypotheses, with an internal consistency of α=.82, a significant correlation with attachment r=.27 to .83 and an acceptable fit of the model χ2=1275.88, CFI=.85, RMSEA=.07 [.06-.07], SRMR=.04. The study highlights the importance of the linguistic changes made to adapt the scale to the Ecuadorian context. Two important limitations are mentioned regarding its application as a self-report and the geographical location, which need to be taken into consideration in subsequent studies. © 2020 Instituto Brasileiro de Avaliacao Psicologica. All rights reserved.

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Implementation of Virtual Learning Objects in the Development of Mathematical Skills: A Qualitative Analysis from the Student Experience

2021 , Cóndor-Herrera, Omar , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P.

This article reports a research of a qualitative methodology that analyzed narratives of students aged between 10 and 14 years old, who received a learning technological program based on Virtual Learning Objects. As results, it was found that the program applied propitiate significant willingness, happiness, motivation, and innovation towards learning mathematics. There is discussed about the need of the implementation of this methodology in benefit of learning mathematics. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Mobile Technological Apps to Improve Frontal Lobe Functioning

2021 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas M. , Sanchez-Gordon S. , Calle-Jimenez T.

The technological proposal here elaborated consists of a cellphone app denominated Mind & Brain which encompasses subcomponents that allow the compensation of each frontal lobe function. In the component of planning, for example, this application allows a person to have an electronic diary to set daily activities to accomplish and will have the opportunity to set reminders and alarms with the patient´s own voice about the activities that must achieve in that specific day. For emotional regulation, the person will be able to be in control of every emotion and reaction. In monitoring, the subject must follow verbal instructions to solve successfully a problem, previously inserted. For decision making, the app will identify the possible consequences of choosing one or another option. With this technological innovation, people with any frontal lobe disorder will improve their quality of life. © 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.