Browsing by Author "Connolly, Kathryn Marie"

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    "Baby brain" : examining the link between sleep, information processing speed and executive functioning during late stage pregnancy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Psychology) at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Connolly, Kathryn Marie
    ‘Baby brain’ is a term given to the phenomenon experienced by many pregnant women who feel that they have some pregnancy induced cognitive disadvantage. Traditionally the investigation of cognitive deficits during pregnancy has focussed on various subtypes of memory, but researchers have broadened their scope in recent years to include a wide range of cognitive functions. This thesis considers and expands on the conclusions of recent meta-analyses which suggest that deficits occur in the domains of information processing speed and executive functioning. The current study analyses reported findings in respect of these two cognitive domains, which have been inconsistent across individual studies. Further, the thesis seeks to explore the possible inter-relationship between information processing speed and the planning facet of executive functioning. This additional analysis is based on research with other populations indicating that perceived impairments in executive functioning can be more accurately understood as secondary consequences of impairments in processing speed. Participants were 133 women from within the Wellington region who were either in the late stages of pregnancy with their first child, or who were not pregnant and had not previously had a child. Scores on the reaction time measure of processing speed showed an impairment in simple reaction times for pregnant women when compared to non-pregnant controls. The more complex ‘choice reaction time measure’ also showed a trend indicative of impairment during pregnancy, but this did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. There was no measurable difference between pregnant and non-pregnant women on the planning measure of executive functioning. Deficits in sleep quality and altered mood during pregnancy were considered as potential moderating variables when reviewing scores on cognitive tasks. It was found that while pregnant women had significantly poorer self-reported sleep quality than controls, this did not correlate with cognitive scores. However, anxiety was shown to impact on planning time during the executive functioning task, and on performance during that task. The results of this research will help to clarify the current inconsistencies in results published in extant literature. It also provides recommendations for further exploration of these cognitive domains during pregnancy.
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    Shining a light on recovery : investigating the effectiveness of bright light therapy in mitigating fatigue after mild traumatic brain injury : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Connolly, Kathryn Marie
    Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom experienced by individuals following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Despite its prevalence, post-mTBI fatigue remains a challenging, and at times misunderstood condition, with a scarcity of scientifically evidenced treatment approaches. The complexity of fatigue's underlying causes in this population calls for further research. Recognising its significant impact on individuals' quality of life emphasises the need to identify effective interventions and enhance symptom management. This study aims to investigate the potential effectiveness of daily bright light exposure as a non-invasive intervention to alleviate fatigue in the post-mTBI population. While existing research has shown positive outcomes for bright light therapy in managing fatigue in broader traumatic brain injury populations, the current study focuses on individuals with injuries at the mild end of the spectrum, offering valuable insights into the efficacy of this treatment in a more targeted context. The primary objective of the research was to investigate whether daily bright light exposure effectively reduced fatigue symptoms in individuals with mTBI. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the impact of light exposure on secondary outcomes, including daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, and circadian rest-activity cycles. To address recruitment challenges, a randomised multiple baseline controlled trial design was adopted. The results revealed that all nine participants consistently experienced significant fatigue throughout the study. Fatigue levels appeared to decrease during the bright light therapy sessions suggesting a potential positive impact of bright light exposure on fatigue, although this reduction was not statistically significant across the group. Due to limitations in data, the ability to confidently demonstrate efficacy was low and this prompted a shift in focus towards assessing the feasibility of conducting research of this nature. Moving forward, future studies can benefit from an understanding of the complexities involved in implementing intensive intervention protocols. The current study demonstrates a need for close collaboration with participants to monitor adherence and potential side effects, alongside coordination with colleagues in the mTBI field to ensure access to a sufficient participant pool for achieving statistically significant results. Overall, this research provides some limited evidence of positive effects from bright light therapy for select individuals and contributes to the expanding body of evidence investigating light as a potential intervention for alleviating fatigue symptoms post-mTBI. More importantly, by shedding light on the hurdles in implementing such interventions among individuals with mTBI, it contributes to the development of targeted and potentially effective interventions for improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition. It is hoped that this study contributes to the broader literature aimed at facilitating better outcomes for individuals with mTBI and related fatigue symptoms.