Sean Patrick Mullen

• PhD
• Associate Professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Cognitive control of physical activity and sedentary behavior is receiving increased attention in the neuroscientific and behavioral medicine literature as a means of better understanding and improving the self-regulation of physical activity. Enhancing individuals’ cognitive control capacities may provide a means to increase physical activity and...

To examine the relationship between performance on executive function measures and subsequent mobility outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. Randomized controlled clinical trial. Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Community-dwelling older adults (N = 179; mean age 66.4). A 12-month exercise trial with two arms: an aerobic exercise group and a stret...

The purpose of this study was to determine a profile for predicting attrition among older adults involved in a 12-month exercise program. The parent study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. The study took place between 2006 and 2009 within a university setting. Older adults (N = 179) completed baseline assessments of functional perfo...

Background: Given the rapidly increasing demographic of older adults, it is vital to implement effective behavioral strategies to improve physical function to maintain activities of daily living. However, changing physical activity in older adults remains extremely difficult. The current trial tested the efficacy of a novel, 6-month, home-based, D...

Background: Regular physical activity has established physical and mental health benefits; however, merely one quarter of the U.S. adult population meets national physical activity recommendations. In an effort to engage individuals who do not meet these guidelines, researchers have utilized popular emerging technologies, including mobile devices...

Acknowledging the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, this study examined the effects of an acute exercise break during prolonged sitting on executive function, cortical hemodynamics, and microvascular status. In this randomized crossover study, 71 college students completed three conditions: (i) uninterrupted sitting (SIT); (ii) SIT with a 1...

There is evidence that complex relationships exist between motor functions, brain structure, and cognitive functions, particularly in the aging population. However, whether such relationships observed in older adults could extend to young adults remains to be elucidated. Thus, the current study addressed this gap in the literature by investigating...

Introduction Children's anxiety is associated with decreased cognitive performance. One well-established behavioral intervention to transiently improve cognitive performance in children is acute aerobic exercise (AAE). Thus far, however, it is unclear whether the benefits of AAE on cognition vary based on individual differences in children's anxiet...

Background: Carotenoids are plant pigments with light filtering and antioxidant properties that deposit in human tissues, including retina and skin. Descriptive characteristics and covariates of carotenoid status in macula and skin have been examined in adults; however, similar studies in children are limited. Thus, this study aimed to delineate h...

The feasibility of a moderate-intensity yoga intervention, delivered remotely via supervised and unsupervised sessions, and its psychosocial and cognitive effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This randomized controlled trial assessed feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week moderate-intensity yoga intervention (3×/week, 50 min) d...

Lutein and zeaxanthin (L + Z) are carotenoids that accumulate in neural tissue and potentially confer benefits to cognition. Whereas cross-sectional studies have revealed positive associations between macular carotenoids (MC) and cognition, no studies have investigated whether L + Z supplementation impacts MC and cognition in childhood. Accordingly...

Objectives/Hypothesis An increasing number of older adults are seeking behavioral voice therapy to manage their voice problems. Poor adherence to voice therapy is a known problem across all treatment-seeking populations. Given age-related physical and cognitive impairments and multiple chronic conditions, older adults are more susceptible to low ad...

The feasibility of a moderate-intensity yoga intervention, delivered remotely via supervised and unsupervised sessions, and its psychosocial and cognitive effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This randomized controlled trial assessed feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week moderate-intensity yoga intervention (3x/week, 50 mins)...

Evidence suggests that yoga can improve executive functioning (EF) and psychological well-being, but there is no evidence whether flow-based, moderate-intensity forms of yoga can deliver similar benefits. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the aforementioned effects of engaging in a 30-minute, video-guided sun salutation ex...

Evidence suggests that yoga can improve executive functioning (EF) and psychological well-being, but there is no evidence whether flow-based, moderate-intensity forms of yoga can deliver similar benefits. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the aforementioned effects of engaging in a 30-minute, video-guided sun salutation ex...

School recess can provide social, emotional, and physical benefits for children. Yet, not all children experience recess the same, as inequity in access to recess and variability in the quality of recess exist. Researchers have yet to understand the long-term implications of recess experiences on adult well-being and physical activity behaviors. Th...

Background There is an increasing prevalence of physical inactivity during childhood, which is associated with a variety of health problems. However, the mechanisms by which acute exercise benefits cognition in childhood remains unknown. Here we describe the protocol for a randomized crossover trial called SNEACY (Sympathetic Nervous System & Exerc...

Despite the known health benefits of exercise, only 30% of older adults (65-75 years) and 18.5% (85 years+) meet the recommendations for exercise. Barriers include difficulty accessing facilities, and lack of motivation and social support. Research results indicate that exercise adoption and adherence is higher among older adults when basic psychol...

School recess can provide social, emotional, and physical benefits for children. Yet, not all children experience recess the same, as inequity in access to recess and variability in the quality of recess exist. Researchers have yet to understand the long-term implications of recess experiences on adult well-being and physical activity behaviors. Th...

Objective: This three-armed randomized controlled feasibility trial tested the acceptability and acute effects of aerobic exercise and technology-guided mindfulness training (relative to standalone interventions) on cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: BCS recruited from Central Illinois completed pre- and post-te...

First-generation college students (FGCSs) are at a greater risk of college dropout and mental illness than non-FGCSs. Less is known about their engagement in physical activity and the extent to which engagement in social interaction, physical activity, and utilization of psychotherapy is associated with depression symptomology or satisfaction with...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a novel “Dot Task” (DT; a timed mobility task involving pre-defined stepping patterns on a 5-dot floor mat) in middle-aged adults (N=119; Mage = 53.87, 14 of 133 removed due to reported pain/ injury) prior to the start of an exercise trial. Test-retest intraclass correlation...

The Activity Choice Index (ACI) has been designed to account for transient moments in one’s daily life and the extent to which effortful decisions to choose physically active tasks are made. It has only been validated in Portuguese samples and little is known about the extent to which choices are associated with executive functioning (EF) and expli...

As evidence builds toward a multimodal approach for concussion treatment, data that provides a snapshot of individuals’ engagement in different treatment methods may inform future intervention design. Relationships between concussion history, treatment type, and subjective cognitive functioning remain largely unexplored. We aimed to assess particip...

Active commuting to school (ACS) is an important source of physical activity among children. Recent research has focused on ACS and its benefits on cognition and academic achievement (AA), factors important for success in school. This review aims to synthesize literature on the relationship between ACS and cognition or AA among children and adolesc...

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is known to benefit cognition among older adults, but the impact of active travel is unclear. To explore this relationship, data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (N = 2,702; mean age = 70) were retrieved on the self-reported frequency and duration of active travel (walking/c...

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of an iPad-enhanced aerobic exercise intervention designed to enhance wayfinding efficacy and performance and relevant cognitive functioning among middle-aged adults at risk for cognitive impairment. Twenty-seven low active adults (21 females) aged 45 to 62 years (51.22 ± 5.20...

Background Physical activity is effective for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, yet insufficient evidence is available to make comparisons regarding adherence to aerobic physical activity interventions among chronic disease populations, or across different settings. The purpose of this review is to investigate and provide a quantitat...

Impairment in cognitive flexibility is a trait characteristic among individuals with diagnosed eating disorders. However, the extent to which these relationships exist in individuals with overweight or obesity remains unclear. Furthermore, there is a lack of knowledge characterizing the neural underpinnings of these relationships. The current study...

In spite of the well-documented benefits of regular physical activity, participation rates have either remained stagnant at alarmingly low levels, or have declined. Most recent estimates suggest that relatively few adults engage in regular leisure-time activity at sufficient levels to reach public health guidelines. Additionally, there is a consist...

Background: Physical activity (PA) remains the primary behavioral outcome associated with school recess, while many other potentially relevant indicators of recess remain unexamined. Few studies have assessed observations of teacher/student interactions, peer conflict, social interactions, or safety within the recess environment. Furthermore, a ps...

Commercial mobile apps for health behavior change are flourishing in the marketplace, but little evidence exists to support their use. This paper summarizes methods for evaluating the content, usability, and efficacy of commercially available health apps. Content analyses can be used to compare app features with clinical guidelines, evidence-based...

Rapid technological development has challenged researchers developing mobile moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) interventions. This 12-week randomized factorial intervention aimed to determine the individual and combined impact of a self-monitoring smartphone-app (tracking, feedback, education) and two theory-based modules (goal-setting,...

Background: The Actigraph GT3X+ (ACT) is a research standard in measuring steps and physical activity, but does not have the convenience of newer commercial devices. The objective of this study was to determine wear compliance and compare differences in steps counts of the Fitbit Flex (FLX), Fitbit Charge HR (CHR), and Jawbone Up2 (JWB) to the ACT...

AIM Our purpose was to compare the acute effects of an evidence-based mental imagery intervention with a visual training aid based on layperson strategies for improving putting performance. Additionally, we aimed to test the effects of each manipulation in a natural setting using a short (5-ft) and lag-putt (35-ft) condition.

Background: Despite the proven benefits of physical activity to treat and prevent metabolic diseases, such as diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), most individuals with metabolic disease do not meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. PA is a complex behavior requiring substantial motivational and cognitive resources. The purpose of t...

Technology assists wayfinding by delivering information about current locations, destinations, and travel paths and also providing corrective feedback en route to keep the traveler on course. Relevant low- and high-tech technologies include color schemes for defining regions on maps, contemporary voice-guided GPS, and futuristic 3-D hologram-techno...

Wayfinding is the process of finding our way from place to place. It is an essential part of everyday life, dependent not only on our personal resources but also the legibility of community environments and availability of aids to support wayfinding. Community Wayfinding: Pathways to Understanding examines the process and consequences of human wayf...

Purpose: This prospective study was designed to evaluate psychometric properties of the Activity Choice Index (ACI), a measure for assessing one's choice to engage in more effortful, physically active behaviors in the course of daily routines over less-demanding, sedentary behaviors, in a sample of overweight women. Method: The sample included 1...

Physical activity is a complex behavior that involves iterative planning, monitoring, ongoing adjustments, and inhibition of unwanted distractions. These same processes are manifestations of executive control and rely on established neural networks involving the prefrontal cortex (see Buckley et al., 2014). A plethora of evidence exists showing tha...

Mobile applications (apps) to improve health are proliferating, but before healthcare providers or organizations can recommend an app to the patients they serve, they need to be confident the app will be user-friendly and helpful for the target disease or behavior. This paper summarizes seven strategies for evaluating and selecting health-related a...

Objectives: To examine the contribution of social cognitive constructs to meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations in rural breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Rural BCS (N = 483) completed a mail-based survey. PA, fatigue, barriers and exercise self-efficacy, environment, social support, and perceived barriers to PA were assessed. PA was...

Background Depressive symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet there is little information about the pattern and predictors of changes in depressive symptoms over time. Objective We examined changes in depressive symptoms over a 30-month period and the demographic, clinical and behavioral predictors of such changes in relapsing–remittin...

In this chapter, we review the literature relative to physical activity, exercise training, and cardiorespiratory fitness associations with cognitive function, and brain structure and function. We begin by examining these relationships in the context of older adults, which represents the greatest proportion of the literature in this area. We conclu...

The criteria one uses to reduce accelerometer data can profoundly influence the interpretation of research outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of three different interruption periods (i.e., 20, 30, and 60 minutes) on the amount of data retained for analyses and estimates of sedentary time among older adults. Older adult...

Objective: There is strong evidence for prevalent physical inactivity among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). By comparison, very little is known about natural occurring change in physical activity over time. Such inquiry is important for identifying the rate, patterns, and predictors of change for the design and delivery of behavioral interve...

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the most utilized measure of global self-esteem. Although psychometric studies have generally supported the uni-dimensionality of this 10-item scale, more recently, a stable, response-bias has been associated with the wording of the items (Marsh, Scalas, & Nagengast, 2010). The purpose of this report was to replic...

Data from the Healthy Aging Network (HAN) study (Prohaska, T., Eisenstein, A., Satariano, W., Hunter, R., Bayles, C., Kurtovich, E., … Ivey, S. [2009]. Walking and the preservation of cognitive function in older populations. The Gerontologist, 49[Suppl. 1], S86-S93; and Satariano, W., Ivey, S., Kurtovich, E., Kealey, M., Hubbard, A., Bayles, C., …...

The Flexibility, Toning, and Balance (FlexToBa) Trial is a two-armed randomized controlled trial which will contrast the effects of a DVD-delivered, home-based, physical activity intervention and a Healthy Aging attention control condition on physical activity, functional performance, functional limitations, and quality of life in low active, older...

One primary assumption underlying the interpretation of composite multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 (MSWS-12) scores across levels of disability status is multi-group measurement invariance. This assumption was tested in the present study between samples that differed in self-reported disability status. Participants (n = 867) completed a battery...

The purpose of these studies was to examine the relationship between perceptions of exercise-related changes (i.e., perceived mastery and physical change) and certainty with regard to the self-as-exerciser. It was hypothesized that seeing "change" would be associated with more favorable levels of exercise self-certainty and behavior relative to "no...

The purpose of this study was to validate the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) in a sample of older adults. Participants within two different exercise groups were assessed at two time points, 6 months apart. Group and longitudinal invariance was established for a novel, 8-item version of the PACES. The shortened, psychometrically sound mea...

Self-efficacy and the use of self-regulatory strategies are consistently associated with physical activity behavior. Similarly, behavioral inhibition and cognitive resource allocation-indices of executive control function-have also been associated with this health behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that self-efficacy...

This 12-month, 2 arm, single blind randomized controlled exercise trial examined relationships among changes in multidimensional self-esteem as a function of intervention mode (i.e., walking vs. flexibility-toning-balance). Data were collected on three equidistant occasions (baseline, 6 and 12 months). One-hundred seventy-nine older adults (M age =...

One primary assumption underlying the unambiguous interpretation of change in Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12) scores over time is longitudinal measurement invariance (i.e., Is the same construct being measured over time?). Such an assumption was tested in the present study over periods of 6 and 12 months in persons with relapsing-remi...

There is increasing evidence that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with brain structure and function, and improvements in CRF through exercise training have been associated with neural and cognitive functioning in older adults. The objectives of this study were to validate the use of a non-exercise estimate of CRF, and to examine its a...

To cross-validate the psychometric properties of the abbreviated Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LL-FDI), a measure of perceived functional limitations and disability. Baseline and 12-month follow-up assessments conducted across the course of a 12-month exercise program. University research community. Older healthy adults (N=179; mean...

Over 41 million Americans belong to private and public health clubs and fitness centers. Of those members, the attrition rate is 34.5% per year (International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association of the United States [IHRSA], 2005). In addition, 50% of people who begin structured exercise programs drop out within 6 months (Dishman, 2001), an...

This study examined differential trajectories of exercise-related self-efficacy beliefs across a 12-month randomized controlled exercise trial. Previously inactive older adults (N = 144; M age = 66.5) were randomly assigned to one of two exercise conditions (walking, flexibility-toning-balance) and completed measures of barriers self-efficacy (BARS...

This study examined individual and contextual factors that contribute to initial involvement and sustained participation in fitness club membership across age and gender. A web-based survey (N = 326) revealed the top participation motives were health and functioning and appearance, while factors facilitating commitment were seeing physical changes...

Psychology Dept. Thesis (M.S.)--Villanova University, 2004. Includes bibliographical references.