A Transcranial Stimulation Intervention to Support Flow State Induction

Effective engagement in computerized cognitive training for older adults

Computerized cognitive training (CCT) is a frontline therapy to prevent or slow age-related cognitive decline. A prerequisite for CCT research to provide clinically relevant improvements in cognition is to understand effective engagement, i.e., the pattern of energy investment that ensures CCT effectiveness. Even though previous studies have assessed whether particular variables (e.g., gamification) predict engagement and/or CCT effectiveness, the field lacks a systematic approach to understanding effective engagement. Here, by comprehensively reviewing and evaluating engagement and adjacent literature, we propose a standardized measurement and operational framework to promote effective engagement with CCT targeting cognitive decline in older adults. We suggest that promoting effective engagement with CCT has two key steps: 1) comprehensively measuring engagement with CCT and 2) identifying which aspects of engagement are essential to achieve the pre-specified outcome of clinically relevant improvements in cognition. The proposed measurement and operational framework of effective engagement will allow future research to maximize older adults' engagement with CCT to slow/prevent age-related cognitive decline.

A framework for neurophysiological experiments on flow states

Csikszentmihalyi's concept of the "flow state" was initially discovered in experts deeply engaged in self-rewarding activities. However, recent neurophysiology research often measures flow in constrained and unfamiliar activities. In this perspective article, we address the challenging yet necessary considerations for studying flow state's neurophysiology. We aggregate an activity-autonomy framework with several testable hypotheses to induce flow, expanding the traditional "challenge skill balance" paradigm. Further, we review and synthesise the best methodological practices from neurophysiological flow studies into a practical 24-item checklist. This checklist offers detailed guidelines for ensuring consistent reporting, personalising and testing isolated challenge types, factoring in participant skills, motivation, and individual differences, and processing self-report data. We argue for a cohesive approach in neurophysiological studies to capture a consistent representation of flow states.

Physical exercise induces mental flow related to catecholamine levels in noncompetitive, but not competitive conditions in men

The study aimed to reveal physical exercise conditions and catecholamine response-dependent differences while an individual experiences a flow state (FS) following noncompetitive and competitive running drills. Urine laboratory catecholamine levels were measured using a standard clinical method during pre- and post-physical exercises. The noncompetitive task involved intermittent running drills, from an absolute beginning up through exhaustion. Initially, the drill is performed individually then later competing alongside other runners. Twenty-two males (mean age: 40.27; SD: 5.4; min-max: 31-49 years) were selected in accordance to the following criterion: healthy status without using medication, routine forms of training (running, cycling or swimming) ideally performed with regularity, at least three times per week, 45 min per session. During the noncompetitive task, a high FS experience was associated with a low level of catecholamines, (noradrenaline and adrenaline) while in parallel, the high FS was associated with a low concentration of homovallinic acid. During competitive conditions, the FS-related catecholamine level changes have not yet been found. In conclusion, the low concentration of the circulating catecholamines supports the transient hypofrontality hypothesis regarding the FS experiences. Furthermore, synchronized noradrenaline and adrenaline neurosecretion play an essential role in the manifestation and the prolongation of FS in noncompetitive exercise conditions.

Fostering flow experiences at work: a framework and research agenda for developing flow interventions

Flow, the holistic experience of intrinsic motivation and effortless attention, is positively associated with job performance, work engagement, and well-being. As many individuals struggle to enter and maintain flow states, interventions that foster flow at work represent valuable catalysts for organizational and individual improvement. Since the literature on work-related flow interventions is still sparse, this article aims to provide a foundation for the systematic development of these interventions. Through a narrative review of the empirical and theoretical field, we develop a comprehensive framework with three dimensions, (1) the intervention aim (entering, boosting, or maintaining flow), (2) the target (context, individual, or group), and (3) the executor (top-down or bottom-up), for systematically classifying flow interventions at work. We complement the framework with guiding questions and concrete starting points for designing novel interventions. In addition, we explain how to build on these dimensions when operationalizing flow as the outcome variable in evaluating intervention effectiveness. By acknowledging individual and situational variability in flow states and the contingent limitations of flow interventions, we offer a broad perspective on the potential for fostering flow at work by using adaptive interventions.

Being at work improves stress, craving, and mood for people with opioid use disorder: Ecological momentary assessment during a randomized trial of experimental employment in a contingency-management-based therapeutic workplace

Employment problems are common among people with substance use disorders (SUDs), and improving vocational functioning is an important aspect of SUD treatment. More detailed understanding of the psychosocial benefits of employment may help refine vocational interventions for people with SUDs. Here, we used ecological momentary assessment to measure possible affective improvements associated with work. Participants (n = 161) with opioid use disorder were randomized to work (job-skills training) in a contingency-management-based Therapeutic Workplace either immediately or after a waitlist delay. Throughout, participants responded via smartphone to randomly scheduled questionnaires. In linear mixed models comparing responses made at work vs. all other locations, being at work was associated with: less stress, less craving for opioids and cocaine, less negative mood, more positive mood, and more flow-like states. Some of these differences were also observed on workdays vs. non-workdays outside of work hours. These results indicate that benefits associated with work may not be restricted to being actually in the workplace; however, randomization did not reveal clear changes coinciding with the onset of work access. Overall, in contrast to work-associated negative moods measured by experience-sampling in the general population, Therapeutic Workplace participants experienced several types of affective improvements associated with work.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cognitive and Affective Outcomes Using Virtual Stimuli: A Systematic Review

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation used to influence neural activity. While early tDCS studies primarily used static stimuli, there is growing interest in dynamic stimulus presentations using virtual environments (VEs). This review attempts to convey the state of the field. This is not a quantitative meta-analysis as there are not yet enough studies following consistent protocols and/or reporting adequate data. In addition to reviewing the state of the literature, this review includes an exploratory analysis of the available data. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, studies were culled from several databases. Results from this review reveal differences between online and offline stimulation. While offline stimulation did not influence affective and cognitive outcomes, online stimulation led to small changes in affect and cognition. Future studies should include randomized controlled trials with larger samples. Furthermore, greater care needs to be applied to full data reporting (e.g., means, standard deviations, and data for their nonsignificant findings) to improve our understanding of the combined effects of virtual stimuli with tDCS.

Impacts of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Action Observation Network and Sports Anticipation Task

Effective anticipation skills in sporting cognition have been shown to facilitate expertise in sports. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown to improve motor and cognitive functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the assistive effects of tDCS on the action observer network in both novice and expert gamers during an occlusion task, as well as the related electroencephalographic spectral power response. Twenty-three novice and 23 expert video gamers received either sham or active tDCS with a right parietal anode and left frontal cathode. Only experts demonstrated a significant improvement in predicting ball direction for the overall and early occlusions after tDCS. Spectral power results revealed significant changes in theta, high-gamma, and delta frequencies. The findings indicate that tDCS was able to modulate anticipatory behavior and cortical activity in experts compared with novice participants, suggesting a facilitatory role for tDCS to improve anticipatory effects and assist as a neurocognitive training technique.

A neurocognitive model of flow states and the role of cerebellar internal models

This paper conceptualizes a comprehensive body of neurocognitive knowledge of flow states based on two primary competing neurocognitive theories underpinning flow's purported functioning, the transient hypofrontality hypothesis and the network synchronization model. With these models in mind, a new neurocognitive model of flow is synthesized based on the similarities of these pre-existing theories and utilizing the internal models of the cerebellum to elucidate the differences and crossover in the current flow research. Ultimately, this paper works to provide a platform for researchers to use as a future reference and for hypothesis generation.

Peripheral-physiological and neural correlates of the flow experience while playing video games: a comprehensive review

The flow state is defined by intense involvement in an activity with high degrees of concentration and focused attention accompanied by a sense of pleasure. Video games are effective tools for inducing flow, and keeping players in this state is considered to be one of the central goals of game design. Many studies have focused on the underlying physiological and neural mechanisms of flow. Results are inconsistent when describing a unified mechanism underlying this mental state. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the physiological and neural correlates of flow and explains the relationship between the reported physiological and neural markers of the flow experience. Despite the heterogeneous results, it seems possible to establish associations between reported markers and the cognitive and experiential aspects of flow, particularly regarding arousal, attention control, reward processing, automaticity, and self-referential processing.

A Review on the Role of the Neuroscience of Flow States in the Modern World

Flow states have been shown to help people reach peak performance, yet this elusive state is not easily attained. The review describes the current state of literature on flow by addressing the environmental influences as well as the cognitive and neurocognitive elements that underlie the experience. In particular, the research focusses on the transition of cognitive control from an explicit to an implicit process. This is further expanded upon to look at the current, yet related neurocognitive research of high performance associated with the implicit process of automaticity. Finally, the review focusses on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a novel method to facilitates an induction of flow states. Implications are aimed at a general technique to improve on skill acquisition and overall performance.