OBJECTIVE: The relationship between paranoia symptoms and underlying prefrontal cortex mechanisms among healthy subjects was analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: Seventy-eight healthy subjects were assessed for paranoia symptoms using the Japanese version of the Paranoia Checklist. Changes in hemoglobin concentrations were assessed using 2-channel near-infrared spectroscopy on the surface of the prefrontal cortex while subjects performed a verbal fluency test. RESULTS: Changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex during a verbal fluency test did not correlate with the Japanese version of the Paranoia Checklist. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the symptoms of paranoia do not negatively affect the prefrontal cortex function among healthy subjects.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Checklist ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Paranoid Disorders* ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

PURPOSE: Although flow experience is positively associated with motivation to learn, the biological basis of flow experience is poorly understood. Accumulation of evidence on the underlying brain mechanisms related to flow is necessary for a deeper understanding of the motivation to learn. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between flow experience and brain function using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during the performance of a cognitive task. METHODS: Sixty right-handed occupational therapy (OT) students participated in this study. These students performed a verbal fluency test (VFT) while 2-channel NIRS was used to assess changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (oxygenated hemoglobin [oxy-Hb]) in the prefrontal cortex. Soon after that, the OT students answered the flow questionnaire (FQ) to assess the degree of flow experience during the VFT. RESULTS: Average oxy-Hb in the prefrontal cortex had a significant negative correlation with the satisfaction scores on the FQ. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction during the flow experience correlated with prefrontal hemodynamic suppression. This finding may assist in understanding motivation to learn and related flow experience.
Brain ; Cognition ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Motivation ; Occupational Therapy* ; Oxygen ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this 1-year longitudinal study is to investigate the change in flow experience among occupational therapy students (OTS). METHODS: In December 2012, we prospectively recruited 97 OTS from the Department of Occupational Therapy, Kibi International University. To assess flow experience in daily life, we used the Flow Experience Checklist. RESULTS: The dataset included 87 OTS, of which 75 participated in the assessment at 1 year (follow-up rate, 86.2%). The mean age at baseline of 45 male and 30 female OTS was 19.59+/-1.1 years (range, 18 to 24 years). A comparison of the 'frequency of flow experience' showed significant differences between baseline values and those after 1 year (December 2013) among male OTS (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that, for male OTS, the frequency of flow was significantly reduced after 1 year compared with baseline values. This finding suggests the need for further education to increase the frequency of flow among male OTS.
Checklist ; Dataset ; Education ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Japan ; Longitudinal Studies* ; Male ; Occupational Therapy* ; Prospective Studies