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Evaluating the quality of primary studies is a key step in meta-analytic reviews to reduce the risk of bias and establish the validity of the meta-analytic inferences. However, the extant body of research offers little guidance on how to represent and incorporate primary study quality (PSQ) in meta-analyses, and some common procedures, such as creating sum scores from a set of quality indicators, often lack the backing from measurement models. Addressing these issues, we present a tutorial that guides meta-analysts in their analytic decisions and approaches to represent and incorporate PSQ. Specifically, we describe, review, and illustrate approaches to (a) select or create quality indicators or scores a priori or as part of the meta-analytic model; (b) examine the possible moderator effects of PSQ; and (c) test the sensitivity of moderator effects to PSQ. We illustrate these approaches with three examples and present a step-by-step tutorial with analytic code for researchers’ guidance. Overall, we argue for representing PSQ model-based if multiple quality indicators are available, the testing of moderator effects of PSQ on the effect sizes and their heterogeneity, and performing moderator sensitivity analyses.

Evaluating the quality of primary studies is a key step in meta-analytic reviews to reduce the risk of bias and establish the validity of the meta-analytic inferences. However, the extant body of research offers little guidance on how to represent and incorporate primary study quality (PSQ) in meta-analyses, and some common procedures, such as creating sum scores from a set of quality indicators, often lack the backing from measurement models. Addressing these issues, we present a tutorial that guides meta-analysts in their analytic decisions and approaches to represent and incorporate PSQ. Specifically, we describe, review, and illustrate approaches to (a) select or create quality indicators or scores a priori or as part of the meta-analytic model; (b) examine the possible moderator effects of PSQ; and (c) test the sensitivity of moderator effects to PSQ. We illustrate these approaches with three examples and present a step-by-step tutorial with analytic code for researchers’ guidance. Overall, we argue for representing PSQ model-based if multiple quality indicators are available, the testing of moderator effects of PSQ on the effect sizes and their heterogeneity, and performing moderator sensitivity analyses.

Evaluating the quality of primary studies is a key step in meta-analytic reviews to reduce the risk of bias and establish the validity of the meta-analytic inferences. However, the extant body of research offers little guidance on how to represent and incorporate primary study quality (PSQ) in meta-analyses, and some common procedures, such as creating sum scores from a set of quality indicators, often lack the backing from measurement models. Addressing these issues, we present a tutorial that guides meta-analysts in their analytic decisions and approaches to represent and incorporate PSQ. Specifically, we describe, review, and illustrate approaches to (a) select or create quality indicators or scores a priori or as part of the meta-analytic model; (b) examine the possible moderator effects of PSQ; and (c) test the sensitivity of moderator effects to PSQ. We illustrate these approaches with three examples and present a step-by-step tutorial with analytic code for researchers’ guidance. Overall, we argue for representing PSQ model-based if multiple quality indicators are available, the testing of moderator effects of PSQ on the effect sizes and their heterogeneity, and performing moderator sensitivity analyses.

Executive functions (EFs) are key skills underlying other cognitive skills that are relevant to learning and everyday life. Although a plethora of evidence suggests a positive relation between the three EF subdimensions inhibition, shifting, and updating, and math skills for schoolchildren and adults, the findings on the magnitude of and possible variations in this relation are inconclusive for preschool children and several narrow math skills (i.e., math intelligence). Therefore, the present meta-analysis aimed to (a) synthesize the relation between EFs and math intelligence (an aggregate of math skills) in preschool children; (b) examine which study, sample, and measurement characteristics moderate this relation; and (c) test the joint effects of EFs on math intelligence. Utilizing data extracted from 47 studies (363 effect sizes, 30,481 participants) from 2000 to 2021, we found that, overall, EFs are significantly related to math intelligence (r = .34, 95% CI [.31, .37]), as are inhibition (r = .30, 95% CI [.25, .35]), shifting (r = .32, 95% CI [.25, .38]), and updating (r = .36, 95% CI [.31, .40]). Key measurement characteristics of EFs, but neither children’s age nor gender, moderated this relation. These findings suggest a positive link between EFs and math intelligence in preschool children and emphasize the importance of measurement characteristics. We further examined the joint relations between EFs and math intelligence via meta-analytic structural equation modeling. Evaluating different models and representations of EFs, we did not find support for the expectation that the three EF subdimensions are differentially related to math intelligence.

Executive functions (EFs) are key skills underlying other cognitive skills that are relevant to learning and everyday life. Although a plethora of evidence suggests a positive relation between the three EF subdimensions inhibition, shifting, and updating, and math skills for schoolchildren and adults, the findings on the magnitude of and possible variations in this relation are inconclusive for preschool children and several narrow math skills (i.e., math intelligence). Therefore, the present meta-analysis aimed to (a) synthesize the relation between EFs and math intelligence (an aggregate of math skills) in preschool children; (b) examine which study, sample, and measurement characteristics moderate this relation; and (c) test the joint effects of EFs on math intelligence. Utilizing data extracted from 47 studies (363 effect sizes, 30,481 participants) from 2000 to 2021, we found that, overall, EFs are significantly related to math intelligence (r = .34, 95% CI [.31, .37]), as are inhibition (r = .30, 95% CI [.25, .35]), shifting (r = .32, 95% CI [.25, .38]), and updating (r = .36, 95% CI [.31, .40]). Key measurement characteristics of EFs, but neither children’s age nor gender, moderated this relation. These findings suggest a positive link between EFs and math intelligence in preschool children and emphasize the importance of measurement characteristics. We further examined the joint relations between EFs and math intelligence via meta-analytic structural equation modeling. Evaluating different models and representations of EFs, we did not find support for the expectation that the three EF subdimensions are differentially related to math intelligence.

Executive functions (EFs) are key skills underlying other cognitive skills that are relevant to learning and everyday life. Although a plethora of evidence suggests a positive relation between the three EF subdimensions inhibition, shifting, and updating, and math skills for schoolchildren and adults, the findings on the magnitude of and possible variations in this relation are inconclusive for preschool children and several narrow math skills (i.e., math intelligence). Therefore, the present meta-analysis aimed to (a) synthesize the relation between EFs and math intelligence (an aggregate of math skills) in preschool children; (b) examine which study, sample, and measurement characteristics moderate this relation; and (c) test the joint effects of EFs on math intelligence. Utilizing data extracted from 47 studies (363 effect sizes, 30,481 participants) from 2000 to 2021, we found that, overall, EFs are significantly related to math intelligence (r = .34, 95% CI [.31, .37]), as are inhibition (r = .30, 95% CI [.25, .35]), shifting (r = .32, 95% CI [.25, .38]), and updating (r = .36, 95% CI [.31, .40]). Key measurement characteristics of EFs, but neither children’s age nor gender, moderated this relation. These findings suggest a positive link between EFs and math intelligence in preschool children and emphasize the importance of measurement characteristics. We further examined the joint relations between EFs and math intelligence via meta-analytic structural equation modeling. Evaluating different models and representations of EFs, we did not find support for the expectation that the three EF subdimensions are differentially related to math intelligence.

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a powerful method of redirecting attention away from pain and is increasingly used in clinical settings as a therapeutic tool for pain treatment. Yet, little is known about the underlying factors that modulate the size of the hypoalgesic response to a VR game, such as cognitive load and inter-individual differences in self-reported pain-related cognitions, emotion regulation habits, gaming skills, and executive functions. Methods: 90 healthy participants played two versions of the VR game 'Subnautica', differing in cognitive load (low load vs. high load). In the low load condition, participants navigated along a predefined route. In the high load condition, participants additionally memorized a series of single digits presented along the route. Pain heat thresholds as well as psychophysiological measures (ECG, EDA) were recorded during a passive control condition (in VR) prior to, as well as during, the two interactive sessions. In addition, participants completed several psychological questionnaires and different executive functioning tasks prior to the VR sessions. Results: Pain thresholds were significantly higher in the two interactive VR sessions when compared to the passive control condition, whereas the cognitive load of the game had no effect on pain thresholds. Individual differences in pain-related cognitions, prepotent response inhibition abilities and the level of emotional awareness reported by female participants, but not the level of gaming skills, influenced the size of the hypoalgesic effect. Discussion: In line with a growing body of studies, we observed a robust hypoalgesic response to playing a VR game, highlighting once more the potential of VR as a tool for pain reduction. Importantly, the hypoalgesic effect was not dependent on the participants’ level of gaming skills or the cognitive load of the game, suggesting that the sensory properties of the VR game were sufficient to change the pro

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be an effective tool for pain distraction by redirecting attention away from painful stimuli. Although VR therapy has been successfully implemented in clinical settings, little is known about the underlying factors that modulate analgesic responses, such as cognitive load, executive functions and VR or gaming experience. Methods: A final sample of N = 90 healthy participants played the VR game Subnautica in a high and a low cognitive load condition. In the low load condition, participants explored the VR along a predefined route. In the high load condition, participants had to additionally memorize eight digits presented along the route. Pain heat thresholds as well as psychophysiological measures (ECG, EDA) were recorded during a non-interactive resting state period prior to playing as well as during the two VR sessions. Furthermore, participants completed questionnaires (e.g., pain attitude) and executive functioning tasks (e.g., go/nogo task). Results: Pain thresholds did not differ for high versus low demand. However, participants achieved higher threshold for the interactive playing sessions compared to the resting state period. Psychophysiological markers (e.g., HRV) indicate lower sympathetic activity during the resting state compared to the playing session (resting state < low load < high load). Moreover, pain catastrophizing and fear of pain were significant predictors of pain thresholds. Discussion: Results shed light on the role of inter-individual differences and psychophysiological markers of VR-based pain sensitivity and indicate factors that facilitate/impair distraction effects. This may have important implication for the use of VR-therapy.

Virtual reality has been shown to be a powerful method to divert attention away from pain (Malloy & Milling, 2010) and has been used successfully to temporally relieve patients from pain in clinical settings. However, little is known about the underlying attentional processes involved in pain processing in virtual reality. Therefore, as one of the first studies, this project investigates the role of especially cognitive factors influencing distraction from pain. N = 90 healthy participants played the video game Subnautica in two virtual reality conditions (high vs. low cognitive load). To assess the distraction effect, pain thresholds and psychophysiological measures were assessed during play. Additionally, executive functions and self-reported measures on, e.g., presence, simulation sickness and pain-related subjects were assessed. Results suggest that interactive virtual reality games are a potential tool to alter pain processing, regardless of the level of cognitive load.

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be an effective tool for pain distraction by redirecting attention away from painful stimuli. Although VR therapy has been successfully implemented in clinical settings, little is known about the underlying factors that modulate analgesic responses, such as cognitive load, executive functions and VR or gaming experience. Methods: A final sample of N = 90 healthy participants played the VR game Subnautica in a high and a low cognitive load condition. In the low load condition, participants explored the VR along a predefined route. In the high load condition, participants had to additionally memorize eight digits presented along the route. Pain heat thresholds as well as psychophysiological measures (ECG, EDA) were recorded during a non-interactive resting state period prior to playing as well as during the two VR sessions. Furthermore, participants completed questionnaires (e.g., pain attitude) and executive functioning tasks (e.g., go/nogo task). Results: Pain thresholds did not differ for high versus low demand. However, participants achieved higher threshold for the interactive playing sessions compared to the resting state period. Psychophysiological markers (e.g., HRV) indicate lower sympathetic activity during the resting state compared to the playing session (resting state < low load < high load). Moreover, pain catastrophizing and fear of pain were significant predictors of pain thresholds. Discussion: Results shed light on the role of inter-individual differences and psychophysiological markers of VR-based pain sensitivity and indicate factors that facilitate/impair distraction effects. This may have important implication for the use of VR-therapy.

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a powerful method of redirecting attention away from pain and is increasingly used in clinical settings as a therapeutic tool for pain treatment. Yet, little is known about the underlying factors that modulate the size of the hypoalgesic response to a VR game, such as cognitive load and inter-individual differences in self-reported pain-related cognitions, emotion regulation habits, gaming skills, and executive functions. Methods: 90 healthy participants played two versions of the VR game 'Subnautica', differing in cognitive load (low load vs. high load). In the low load condition, participants navigated along a predefined route. In the high load condition, participants additionally memorized a series of single digits presented along the route. Pain heat thresholds as well as psychophysiological measures (ECG, EDA) were recorded during a passive control condition (in VR) prior to, as well as during, the two interactive sessions. In addition, participants completed several psychological questionnaires and different executive functioning tasks prior to the VR sessions. Results: Pain thresholds were significantly higher in the two interactive VR sessions when compared to the passive control condition, whereas the cognitive load of the game had no effect on pain thresholds. Individual differences in pain-related cognitions, prepotent response inhibition abilities and the level of emotional awareness reported by female participants, but not the level of gaming skills, influenced the size of the hypoalgesic effect. Discussion: In line with a growing body of studies, we observed a robust hypoalgesic response to playing a VR game, highlighting once more the potential of VR as a tool for pain reduction. Importantly, the hypoalgesic effect was not dependent on the participants’ level of gaming skills or the cognitive load of the game, suggesting that the sensory properties of the VR game were sufficient to change the pro

Virtual reality has been shown to be a powerful method to divert attention away from pain (Malloy & Milling, 2010) and has been used successfully to temporally relieve patients from pain in clinical settings. However, little is known about the underlying attentional processes involved in pain processing in virtual reality. Therefore, as one of the first studies, this project investigates the role of especially cognitive factors influencing distraction from pain. N = 90 healthy participants played the video game Subnautica in two virtual reality conditions (high vs. low cognitive load). To assess the distraction effect, pain thresholds and psychophysiological measures were assessed during play. Additionally, executive functions and self-reported measures on, e.g., presence, simulation sickness and pain-related subjects were assessed. Results suggest that interactive virtual reality games are a potential tool to alter pain processing, regardless of the level of cognitive load.

Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a powerful method to divert attention away from pain (Malloy & Milling, 2010). In an ongoing study (data collection will be finished in late December 2019) healthy participants play the VR game Subnautica in two conditions (high vs. low cognitive load). Pain thresholds and psychophysiological measures are assessed during play to measure the distraction effect. Additionally, pain management will be compared to individual executive functions and attention investigated before playing.

Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a powerful method of redirecting attention away from pain and is increasingly used in clinical settings as a therapeutic tool for pain treatment. Yet, little is known about the underlying factors that modulate the size of the analgesic response to a VR game, such as task difficulty and inter-individual differences in pain attitude, emotion regulation habits, executive functions and virtual reality experience. Methods: 101 healthy participants played two versions of the VR game Subnautica, differing in cognitive load (low load vs. high load). In the low load condition, participants navigated along a predefined route. In the high load condition, participants additionally memorized a series of single digits presented along the route. Pain heat thresholds as well as psychophysiological measures (ECG, EDA) were recorded during a resting state period prior to, as well as during, the two VR playing sessions. In addition, participants completed several psychological questionnaires and different executive functioning tasks (Corsi block tapping task, flanker task, go/nogo task) prior to the VR sessions. Results: Preliminary results of a subgroup (N = 66) of the total sample revealed that pain thresholds were significantly higher for the VR playing sessions when compared to the resting state period, with a trend of a higher threshold for the high load condition. Moreover, pain catastrophizing and fear of pain were significant predictors of pain threshold measurements. The complete results will be presented at the symposium. Discussion: Results could shed light on the role of inter-individual differences on the efficacy of VR-based distraction from pain, and potentially elucidate factors that render an individual more likely to benefit from VR as a pain-relieving tool. This may have important consequences for the use of VR as a therapeutic treatment for pain patients.

Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a powerful method to divert attention away from pain (Malloy & Milling, 2010). In an ongoing study (data collection will be finished in late December 2019) healthy participants play the VR game Subnautica in two conditions (high vs. low cognitive load). Pain thresholds and psychophysiological measures are assessed during play to measure the distraction effect. Additionally, pain management will be compared to individual executive functions and attention investigated before playing.

Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a powerful method of redirecting attention away from pain and is increasingly used in clinical settings as a therapeutic tool for pain treatment. Yet, little is known about the underlying factors that modulate the size of the analgesic response to a VR game, such as task difficulty and inter-individual differences in pain attitude, emotion regulation habits, executive functions and virtual reality experience. Methods: 101 healthy participants played two versions of the VR game Subnautica, differing in cognitive load (low load vs. high load). In the low load condition, participants navigated along a predefined route. In the high load condition, participants additionally memorized a series of single digits presented along the route. Pain heat thresholds as well as psychophysiological measures (ECG, EDA) were recorded during a resting state period prior to, as well as during, the two VR playing sessions. In addition, participants completed several psychological questionnaires and different executive functioning tasks (Corsi block tapping task, flanker task, go/nogo task) prior to the VR sessions. Results: Preliminary results of a subgroup (N = 66) of the total sample revealed that pain thresholds were significantly higher for the VR playing sessions when compared to the resting state period, with a trend of a higher threshold for the high load condition. Moreover, pain catastrophizing and fear of pain were significant predictors of pain threshold measurements. The complete results will be presented at the symposium. Discussion: Results could shed light on the role of inter-individual differences on the efficacy of VR-based distraction from pain, and potentially elucidate factors that render an individual more likely to benefit from VR as a pain-relieving tool. This may have important consequences for the use of VR as a therapeutic treatment for pain patients.

The aim of this chapter is to discuss ways in which history, and consequently memory and reality are interwoven or tampered with in graphic novels, particularly through the obvious or discrete role accorded to authorial subjectivity. Subsequently the techniques used for generating a dialogue between fact and fiction, individual experience, historical context and their distortions or alternatives will also be considered, whereby the concentration is on the modalities of visual depiction and their implications along with the narrative perspectives and the insertion of uncertainty. This will be linked to the postmodern, scholarly discourse of history writing. In addition possible reasons for the popularity of graphic literature will also be proposed.

This article proposes a tool for understanding combinations of words and images from the linguistic as well as the iconographic perspective, in order to provide a possible solution for a gap in word-image research by attempting to gauge the role of words vis-à-vis images in forming the meaning of word-image combinations. Taking into account diverse approaches like Áron Kibédi Varga’s criteria for word-image relations, semiotics and Erwin Panofsky's systematization of iconography, a basic model for the interpretational process of word-image combinations is presented and applied on a variety of examples including William Blake’s plates, 20th century avant-garde art, artists’ books and comics. Furthermore common implications inherent in word-image combinations, such as the enhancement of the audible dimension through visual cues are pointed out.

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102920517&old_issueid=1016923&tocid=100086994&page=25-45

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102934281&old_issueid=1031428&tocid=100089467&page=25-78

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102920517&old_issueid=1016923&tocid=100086993&page=1-24

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102892104&old_issueid=987421&tocid=100082967&page=1-26

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102892104&old_issueid=987421&tocid=100082968&page=27-51

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102847668&old_issueid=940953&tocid=100076726&page=133-155

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102847668&old_issueid=940953&tocid=100076727&page=157-182

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102862899&old_issueid=957002&tocid=100079235&page=81-99

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102847817&old_issueid=941108&tocid=100079128&page=37-53

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102705801&old_issueid=791519&tocid=100055327&page=214(1)-198(17)

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102705801&old_issueid=791519&tocid=100055322&page=81-103

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102705801&old_issueid=791519&tocid=100055325&page=143-175

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102748747&old_issueid=837323&tocid=100056667&page=41-63

http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/mylimedio/dl/page.do?issueid=102705801&old_issueid=791519&tocid=100055326&page=177-196

Contents: Amplitude modulation of brain waves; The waveform and spectrum of the high-frequency visual evoked response.