1
|
Nardo T, Batchelor J, Berry J, Francis H, Jafar D, Borchard T. Cognitive Remediation as an Adjunct Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychol Rev 2021; 32:161-191. [PMID: 33871785 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-021-09506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorders are associated with diverse neuropsychological impairments, with deficits in memory and executive functioning commonly observed. Cognitive remediation has been shown to be effective in other populations with cognitive impairments in these domains, including those with psychiatric disorders and acquired brain injuries, and it has been hypothesised to be similarly effective for those in treatment for substance use disorders. We aimed to systematically review the evidence for cognitive remediation interventions administered as an adjunct treatment to substance use rehabilitation. Studies were included if participants were receiving substance use treatment, if improving cognitive functioning was the main focus of the intervention and if they used an experimental design with a control condition receiving treatment-as-usual or an active control intervention. Two independent reviewers agreed on the final selection of 32 studies, encompassing cognitive remediation for working memory, memory, executive functioning and general cognition. Significant differences between intervention and control groups for cognitive test results and treatment outcomes were extracted and compared across treatment approaches. The review found considerable heterogeneity across studies, including in the types of interventions, the nature of participants and the outcome measures used. Further, a lack of quality studies with sufficient power meant that limited conclusions could be drawn, highlighting a need for further replication and research. However, findings indicate that cognitive remediation remains a promising potential avenue for improving cognition and treatment outcomes for those in treatment for substance use disorders. Protocol submitted prospectively to PROSPERO 30.09.2019, CRD42020150978.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talia Nardo
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | | | - Jamie Berry
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.,Advanced Neuropsychological Treatment Services, Strathfield South, NSW, 2136, Australia
| | | | - Deyyan Jafar
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bruijnen CJWH, Dijkstra BAG, Walvoort SJW, Markus W, VanDerNagel JEL, Kessels RPC, DE Jong CAJ. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with substance use disorder. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019; 38:435-442. [PMID: 30916448 PMCID: PMC6593747 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Cognitive impairments in substance use disorder predict treatment outcome and are assumed to differ between substances. They often go undetected, thus the current study focuses on the prevalence of and differences in cognitive functioning across substances by means of a cognitive screen at the early stage of addiction treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was administered to outpatients seeking treatment for substance use disorder. Patient characteristics (age, years of regular use, polysubstance use, severity of dependence/abuse, depression, anxiety and stress) were also taken into account. RESULTS A total of 656 patients were included (n = 391 used alcohol, n = 123 used cannabis, n = 100 used stimulants and n = 26 used opioids). The prevalence of cognitive impairments was 31%. Patients using alcohol had a lower total- and memory domain score than those using cannabis. Patients using opioids scored lower on visuospatial abilities than those using cannabis or stimulants. Younger patients scored higher than older patients. No effect was found for the other investigated characteristics. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Given the high prevalence of cognitive impairments, standard screening at an early stage of treatment is important to determine the course of treatment and maximise treatment outcome. Caution is needed in interpreting results about opioids due to an underrepresentation of this patient group, and more research is needed on the effect of age on Montreal Cognitive Assessment performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolien J W H Bruijnen
- Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Boukje A G Dijkstra
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Novadic-Kentron, Addiction Care Centre, Vught, The Netherlands
| | - Serge J W Walvoort
- Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wiebren Markus
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,IrisZorg, Centre for Addiction Treatment, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne E L VanDerNagel
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Tactus, Centre for Addiction and Intellectual Disability, Deventer, The Netherlands.,Aveleijn, Borne, The Netherlands
| | - Roy P C Kessels
- Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A J DE Jong
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hagen E, Erga AH, Nesvåg SM, McKay JR, Lundervold AJ, Walderhaug E. One-year abstinence improves ADHD symptoms among patients with polysubstance use disorder. Addict Behav Rep 2017; 6:96-101. [PMID: 29450242 PMCID: PMC5800580 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common comorbid disorder in patients suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals with co-occurring SUD and ADHD are more likely than SUD patients without ADHD to have developed SUD at a younger age, be polysubstance users, and need inpatient treatment more often. The present study investigates whether individuals with polysubstance use disorder who remain abstinent for a year after entering treatment have a more substantial reduction in ADHD symptoms than those who relapsed and controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS Subjects were SUD patients (N = 115) and healthy controls (N = 34). ADHD symptoms were assessed using the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Substance use was assessed by self-reports on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT). Participants were defined as having relapsed if they had an AUDIT score ≥ 8 or a DUDIT score ≥ 2 for women and ≥ 6 for men. RESULTS Patients who remained abstinent for one year reported a substantial reduction of ADHD symptoms compared to patients who relapsed and controls. CONCLUSIONS Abstinence alleviates ADHD symptoms among patients with polysubstance use disorder. We suggest that confirmation of an ADHD diagnosis should follow a period of abstinence to avoid identification of false-positive cases.
Collapse
Key Words
- ADHD
- ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- ASRS, ADHD Self-Report Scale
- AUDIT, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
- DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- DUDIT, Drug Use Disorders Identification Test
- GP, general practitioner
- Polysubstance
- REK, Regional Ethical Committee
- Recovery
- SUD, substance use disorder
- Substance use disorder
- WASI, Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Egon Hagen
- KORFOR - Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, Stavanger University Hospital, PB 8100, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Aleksander H. Erga
- The Norwegian Centre for Movement Disorders, Stavanger University Hospital, PB 8100, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Sverre M. Nesvåg
- KORFOR - Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, Stavanger University Hospital, PB 8100, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - James R. McKay
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3440 Market St., Suite 370, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Astri J. Lundervold
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Espen Walderhaug
- Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Gaustad, PB 4956, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sachdeva A, Chandra M, Choudhary M, Dayal P, Anand KS. Alcohol-Related Dementia and Neurocognitive Impairment: A Review Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS & ADDICTION 2016; 5:e27976. [PMID: 27818965 PMCID: PMC5086415 DOI: 10.5812/ijhrba.27976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Context Alcohol consumption has escalated rapidly in many countries over the past decade. Evidence suggests a correlation between alcohol use and cognitive decline. We have systematically reviewed the concept and controversies, epidemiology, nosology, neuropathology and neurobiology, neuropsychology and management updates of alcohol-related dementia (ARD) in this paper. Evidence Acquisition We retrieved papers for this review by searching the PubMed database for terms “alcohol and dementia”, “alcohol and cognitive impairment”, and “alcohol and wernicke-korsakoff” mentioned in the title of the published papers. A total of 131 studies showed up. Appropriate studies were shortlisted and included (n = 72). Cross-references if relevant were considered from the selected studies. Eligible articles were fully read by the authors and the results were compiled. Results The prolonged and excessive use of alcohol may lead to structural and functional brain damage, leading to ARD. The cognitive deficits are most frequently observed in domains of visuospatial functions, memory and executive tasks, with a potential of partial recovery if abstinence is maintained. However, there are doubts regarding the etiopathogenesis, nosological status, prevalence and diagnostic criteria for ARD, due to difficulty in assessment and various confounding factors. Conclusions With growing cohort of young and middle-aged people, there is a probable risk of upsurge of ARD. Presently, there are dilemmas over the diagnosis of independent ARD. Thus, there is a need to develop evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management of ARD through further systematic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Sachdeva
- Department of Psychiatry, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, India
- Corresponding author: Ankur Sachdeva, Department of Psychiatry, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, India. Tel: +91-1126593236; +91-9899528355, Fax: +91-1292413032, E-mail:
| | - Mina Chandra
- Department of Psychiatry and Drug De-addiction, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
| | - Mona Choudhary
- Department of Psychiatry and Drug De-addiction, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
| | - Prabhoo Dayal
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (WHO Collaborating Centre), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Kuljeet Singh Anand
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aharonovich E, Amrhein PC, Bisaga A, Nunes EV, Hasin DS. Cognition, commitment language, and behavioral change among cocaine-dependent patients. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2009; 22:557-62. [PMID: 19071981 DOI: 10.1037/a0012971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Patients' cognitive abilities and verbal expressions of commitment to behavioral change predict different aspects of substance abuse treatment outcome, but these 2 traits have never been examined conjointly. The authors therefore investigated patients' cognitive abilities and verbal expressions of commitment to behavioral change as predictors of retention and drug use outcomes in an outpatient cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) of adult cocaine-dependent patients. A neuropsychological battery was administered at baseline. Two independent raters used recordings of CBT sessions to code commitment language strength across the temporal segments (e.g., beginning, middle, and end) of 1 session per patient. Better cognitive abilities predicted treatment retention (p < .01) but not drug use, whereas mean commitment strength across the session segments predicted reduced drug use (p = .01). Results indicate that although commitment to behavioral changes such as abstinence may occur independently of patients' cognitive abilities, engagement in the behavioral intervention process appears to depend on cognitive abilities. Future clinical studies should further investigate the relations between cognition and commitment to change and their differential contributions to treatment processes and outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Aharonovich
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bates ME, Voelbel GT, Buckman JF, Labouvie EW, Barry D. Short-term neuropsychological recovery in clients with substance use disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2005; 29:367-77. [PMID: 15770112 PMCID: PMC3059764 DOI: 10.1097/01.alc.0000156131.88125.2a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairments are frequently observed in clients who enter treatment programs for substance abuse. The potential for early recovery of cognitive abilities is suggested by previous research; however, the extent of improvement and risk factors that may help predict individual differences in rates of recovery remain unclear. This study is a 6-week follow-up and retest of an original sample of 197 men and women who had received a broad neuropsychological assessment at addiction treatment entry. The aim was to examine the potential clinical significance of changes in cognitive functioning and the extent to which differential recovery was predictable from client background information. METHODS Fifteen neuropsychological tests were readministered to 169 of 197 clients 6 weeks after treatment entry. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate separately the practice effects and recovery in four cognitive domains: executive function, memory, information processing speed, and verbal ability. Client background information included age, sex, education, substance use and consequences, psychopathology, medical problems, familial alcoholism history, and childhood behavior problems. RESULTS A four-factor model of latent neuropsychological ability that was previously identified at treatment entry was replicated at follow-up. Statistically significant increases in the means of the four latent abilities were found. Memory showed a medium effect size improvement. Executive function, verbal ability, and information processing speed, however, showed only small effect size improvements, suggesting limited clinical significance. Substance use between treatment entry and follow-up, antisocial personality disorder, negative use consequences, less education, and medical problems were modestly predictive of less recovery. CONCLUSION Cognitive recovery in the first 6 weeks of treatment is possible, but, with the possible exception of memory, improvement may be minor in terms of clinical relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marsha E Bates
- Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Brown SA, Tapert SF, Granholm E, Delis DC. Neurocognitive Functioning of Adolescents: Effects of Protracted Alcohol Use. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2000. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb04586.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 341] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
8
|
Abstract
The current literature suggests that individuals who chronically abuse alcohol exhibit a wide variety of cognitive deficits resulting from cerebral dysfunction that is either directly or indirectly related to their alcohol consumption history. Cognitive deficits have been hypothesized as having implications for standard alcohol treatment efficacy as they may directly affect cognitively impaired individuals' abilities to utilize various treatment modalities. Although evidence is accumulating that suggests this is actually the case, the majority of alcohol treatment programs neither directly consider the impact cognitive deficits have on treatment efficacy nor do they employ cognitive rehabilitation treatment strategies to remediate identified cognitive deficits. Few studies exist that investigate the remediability of neurobehavioral deficits or the efficacy of integrating cognitive rehabilitation strategies into more traditional treatment programs. Empirical investigations conducted to date indicate that some cognitive deficiencies secondary to alcoholism are amenable to cognitive rehabilitation and this remediation is generalizable. Rigorous well-controlled treatment outcome investigations are needed in order to determine the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation techniques in naturalistic settings using ecological outcome measures. Also, emphasis should be placed on integrating cognitive rehabilitation techniques with proven efficacy into traditional alcoholism treatment programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D N Allen
- Psychology Service, Highland Drive VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|