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Timko CA, Schnabel J, Orloff NC. The importance of improving cognitive flexibility in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: The case for cognitive remediation therapy. Int J Eat Disord 2024; 57:1109-1118. [PMID: 38333943 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inefficiencies in executive functioning (EF), more specifically cognitive flexibility and an overly detailed processing style, are frequently observed in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and have been identified as potential targets in treatment. Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is an adjunctive treatment approach specifically designed to have a positive impact on EF. Mainly evaluated in adults, CRT has been criticized for its perceived ineffectiveness in promoting weight restoration or directly reducing eating disorder symptoms. METHOD We argue that we need to refocus our conceptual framework for using CRT as an adjunctive treatment and specifically explore its potential benefit in adolescents. RESULTS Adolescence is a critical window for EF development during which CRT has the potential to have the most impact. While it may not specifically ameliorate eating disorder symptoms and directly improve weight gain, CRT may mitigate the impact of malnutrition on adolescent brain development, reduce attrition rates in treatment, and improve cognitive flexibility and (indirectly) other maintaining factors, thereby improving global functioning. DISCUSSION More research needs to be done to understand the development of EF in adolescents with AN and how best to employ CRT as an adjunctive treatment to support development and target maintaining factors. The current article broadly reviews findings on executive functioning inefficiencies in adolescents with AN and discusses the purpose and role of CRT in treating AN. Finally, we highlight key critiques of using CRT and pose questions for future research. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Treatments targeting executive functioning in adolescents with AN are limited. We need to better understand how CRT can benefit adolescents in treatment. Increasing treatment options, including adjunctive treatments, is necessary to reduce the long-term impact of AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Alix Timko
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jiana Schnabel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Natalia C Orloff
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Equip Health, Carlsbad, California, USA
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Tapia JL, Aras LM, Duñabeitia JA. Enhancing Executive Functions in Pediatric Epilepsy: Feasibility and Efficacy of a Computerized Cognitive Training Program. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:484. [PMID: 38671701 PMCID: PMC11049550 DOI: 10.3390/children11040484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, significantly impacts individuals' neurobiological, cognitive, and social lives. This report presents a feasibility study investigating the effects of a computerized cognitive training program on enhancing executive functions, particularly inhibitory control, in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Employing a pre-test-intervention-post-test design, the study involved 26 participants with diverse epileptic syndromes, focusing on those without severe intellectual disabilities. The intervention, based on the CogniFit Inc. platform, consisted of personalized tasks aiming to improve participants' inhibitory skills over 16 weeks, with an average of 40 sessions completed per participant. Results indicated significant improvements in reaction times and error rates in an anti-saccade task, demonstrating enhanced inhibitory control and general performance post-intervention. These findings suggest that targeted cognitive training is a feasible approach to bolster executive functions in young individuals with epilepsy, potentially improving their academic performance, employability, and social interactions. The study underscores the importance of early cognitive interventions in epilepsy management, highlighting the potential for computerized programs to aid in mitigating cognitive deficits associated with the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Tapia
- Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC), Universidad Nebrija, 28043 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Jon Andoni Duñabeitia
- Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC), Universidad Nebrija, 28043 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Languages and Culture, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
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Kéri S, Kelemen O. Motion and Form Perception in Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia. Pediatr Rep 2024; 16:88-99. [PMID: 38251318 PMCID: PMC10801474 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric16010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) is a rare type of psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, grossly disorganized behavior, and poor psychosocial functioning. The etiology of COS is unknown, but neurodevelopmental factors are likely to play a critical role. A potential neurodevelopmental anomaly marker is the dorsal visual system dysfunction, which is implicated in motion perception, spatial functions, and attention. (2) Methods: To elucidate the role of the dorsal visual system in COS, we investigated 21 patients with COS and 21 control participants matched for age, sex, education, IQ, and parental socioeconomic status. Participants completed a motion and form coherence task, during which one assesses an individual's ability to detect the direction of motion within a field of moving elements or dots and to recognize a meaningful form or object from a set of fragmented or disconnected visual elements, respectively. (3) Results: The patients with COS were impaired in both visual tasks compared to the control participants, but the evidence for the deficit was more substantial for motion perception than for form perception (form: BF10 = 27.22; motion: BF10 = 6.97 × 106). (4) Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of dorsal visual stream vulnerability in COS, a potential marker of neurodevelopmental anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Kéri
- Sztárai Institute, University of Tokaj, 3944 Sárospatak, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Oguz Kelemen
- Department of Behavioral Science, Albert Szent Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Psychiatry, Bács-Kiskun County Hospital, 6000 Kecskemét, Hungary
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Dassing R, Offerlin-Meyer I, Cugnot A, Danion JM, Krasny-Pacini A, Berna F. Improving autobiographical memory in schizophrenia using wearable cameras: A single-case experimental study. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2024; 34:103-132. [PMID: 36520673 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2022.2155668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autobiographical memory (AM) impairments influence both sense of identity and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia. However, cognitive remediation methods addressing these difficulties do not sufficiently consider the heterogeneity of this disorder and frequently face methodological limitations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a method using a wearable camera (NarrativeClip®), through an alternating treatments design across two types of AM training. In parallel, repeated measures were used to appreciate the efficacy, specificity, and generalizability of the programme's benefits. Three patients were invited to wear the camera during 24 personal events. Ten of these events memories were trained by visual cueing (wearable camera condition), 10 others by verbal cueing (written diary condition) and 4 were not trained (control condition). Using pictures collected by the wearable camera seemed particularly relevant, since it promoted more detailed recalls than the diary method, from the first training session and until the end of a one-year follow-up. In addition, the repeated measures performed revealed (1) the efficacy (improvement in AM capacities after participating in the programme), (2) specificity (persistence of working memory deficits), and (3) generalizability (improvement in measures of episodic memory) of our cognitive remediation programme's effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romane Dassing
- INSERM U1114 - Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabelle Offerlin-Meyer
- INSERM U1114 - Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alice Cugnot
- INSERM U1114 - Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Marie Danion
- INSERM U1114 - Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Agata Krasny-Pacini
- INSERM U1114 - Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- University Rehabilitation Institute Clemenceau, Strasbourg, France
| | - Fabrice Berna
- INSERM U1114 - Cognitive Neuropsychology and Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia, Strasbourg, France
- Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Martini F, Spangaro M, Bechi M, Agostoni G, Buonocore M, Sapienza J, Nocera D, Ave C, Cocchi F, Cavallaro R, Bosia M. Improving outcome of treatment-resistant schizophrenia: effects of cognitive remediation therapy. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023:10.1007/s00406-023-01731-6. [PMID: 38114732 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS) represents a main clinical issue, associated with worse psychopathological outcomes, a more disrupted neurobiological substrate, and poorer neurocognitive performance across several domains, especially in verbal abilities. If cognitive impairment is a major determinant of patients' functional outcomes and quality of life, targeting cognitive dysfunction becomes even more crucial in TRS patients in order to minimize cognitive and functional deterioration. However, although Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) represents the best available tool to treat cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, specific evidence of its efficacy in TRS is lacking. Based on these premises, our study aimed at investigating possible differences in CRT outcomes in a sample of 150 patients with schizophrenia, stratified according to antipsychotic response (TRS vs. non-TRS). Subjects were assessed for neurocognition through Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) at baseline and after CRT. As expected, we observed greater baseline impairment among TRS patients in BACS-Verbal Memory and WCST-Executive Functions. Repeated measures ANCOVAs showed significant within-group pre-/post-CRT differences in the above-mentioned domains, both among non-TRS and TRS subjects. However, after CRT, no differences were observed between groups. This is the first study to indicate that CRT represents a highly valuable resource for TRS patients, since it may be able to fill the cognitive gap between treatment response groups. Our finding further highlights the importance of early implementation of CRT in addition to pharmacotherapy to reduce the cognitive and functional burden associated with the disease, especially for TRS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Martini
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Spangaro
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Margherita Bechi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Agostoni
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Buonocore
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Sapienza
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Humanities and Life Sciences, University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Ave
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cocchi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Cavallaro
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Bosia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Sampedro A, Peña J, Sánchez P, Ibarretxe-Bilbao N, Iriarte-Yoller N, Pavón C, Ojeda N. Moderators of functional improvement after integrative cognitive remediation in schizophrenia: Toward a personalized treatment approach. Psychiatry Res 2023; 329:115495. [PMID: 37802012 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive remediation is an effective intervention for improving functional outcome in schizophrenia. However, the factors that moderate this improvement are still poorly understood. The study aimed to identify moderators of functional outcome improvement after integrative cognitive remediation (REHACOP) in schizophrenia. This was a secondary analysis of data from two randomized controlled trials, which included 182 patients (REHACOP group=94; active control group=88). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to identify moderators of functional outcome improvement. Two baseline level groups (low-level and high-level) were created to analyze the moderating role of this baseline level cluster using repeated measures ANCOVA. The REHACOP was effective regardless of participants' baseline level, but regression analyses indicated that the effectiveness on functional outcome was higher among those who were older, had fewer years in education, lower scores in baseline cognition and functional outcome, and more negative symptoms. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that the baseline level cluster influenced the improvement in functional outcome, with the low-level group showing greater improvements. The results reinforced the need to implement cognitive remediation programs more broadly as a treatment for schizophrenia in healthcare services. Furthermore, they provided evidence for the development of personalized cognitive remediation plans to improve benefits in different schizophrenia profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agurne Sampedro
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avda. Universidades 24, Bilbao 48007, Spain
| | - Javier Peña
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avda. Universidades 24, Bilbao 48007, Spain.
| | - Pedro Sánchez
- Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Hospital of Zamudio. Bizkaia Mental Health Network, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Medicine, University of Deusto. Faculty of Health Sciences, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Naroa Ibarretxe-Bilbao
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avda. Universidades 24, Bilbao 48007, Spain
| | - Nagore Iriarte-Yoller
- Araba Mental Health Service, Alava Psychiatric Hospital, Bioaraba, New Therapies in Mental Health, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Cristóbal Pavón
- Araba Mental Health Service, Alava Psychiatric Hospital, Bioaraba, New Therapies in Mental Health, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Natalia Ojeda
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avda. Universidades 24, Bilbao 48007, Spain
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Szmyd JK, Lewczuk K, Teopiz KM, McIntyre RS, Wichniak A. THINC-Integrated Tool (THINC-it): A Brief Measurement of Changes in Cognitive Functioning and Its Correlation with the Life Quality of Patients with Schizophrenia and Related Disorders-A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030389. [PMID: 36979199 PMCID: PMC10046273 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This pilot study aimed to assess patients' cognitive functioning with the Polish version of the THINC-it tool and to analyze its association with self-reported quality of life (QOL). METHODS Twenty-one patients (mean age: 37.8 ± 10.4) were assessed at baseline and after six weeks of a standard therapeutic outpatient program. Participants completed the World Health Organization QOL Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the THINC-it tool at both visits. The tool consists of tasks evaluating working memory (SYMBOL CHECK), attention (SPOTTER), executive functions (TRIALS), and cognitive skills (CODEBREAKER). RESULTS During the second visit, patients showed significant improvements in mean latency of correct responses of SPOTTER: p = 0.021, Cohen's d = 0.38 and in the Physical health domain: p = 0.007, Cohen's d = 0.37. The number of correct responses for CODEBREAKER was positively associated with the Physical health domain at visit 1 (r = 0.53, p = 0.014) and visit 2 (r = 0.42, p = 0.058). The number of correct responses at SYMBOL CHECK was positively related to QOL in the Environment domain only at visit 2 (r = 0.45, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the THINC-it tool has utility as a cognitive measure in adults with schizophrenia in both clinical and research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna K Szmyd
- Third Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Jana III Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karol Lewczuk
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kayla M Teopiz
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, 73 Mathersfield Drive, Toronto, ON M4W 3W4, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, 73 Mathersfield Drive, Toronto, ON M4W 3W4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Adam Wichniak
- Third Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Jana III Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
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Marquez-Arrico JE, Gonzalez-Sanchez A, Navarro JF, Penadés R, Adan A. Patients with Schizophrenia Showed Worse Cognitive Performance than Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorder in a Sample with Comorbid Substance Use Disorders. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11226648. [PMID: 36431125 PMCID: PMC9698443 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Comorbidity of substance use disorders (SUD) and severe mental illness (SMI) is highly frequent in patients, the most common diagnoses being schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Since comorbidity has its own clinical features, and neurocognitive functioning is not always similar to psychiatric symptoms the present study explores the cognitive performance of patients with dual disorders. A neuropsychological battery of tests was used to assess 120 under treatment male patients, 40 for each group considered (SZ + SUD, BD + SUD and MDD + SUD) who were mainly polyconsumers. Significant differences (with premorbid IQ as a covariate) were found among the groups, with SZ + SUD having a worse performance in attention, verbal learning, short term memory and recognition. The consideration of a global Z score for performance evidenced an impaired neurocognitive pattern for SZ + SUD compared with BD + SUD and MDD + SUD. According to norms, all patients showed difficulties in verbal learning, short-term memory and recognition. Our research indicated that the neurocognitive functioning of dual disorder patients was influenced by the comorbid SMI, with SZ + SUD presenting major difficulties. Future studies should thoroughly explore the role of such difficulties as indicators or endophenotypes for dual schizophrenia disorders, and their usefulness for prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E. Marquez-Arrico
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, School of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebrón 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Gonzalez-Sanchez
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, School of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebrón 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Francisco Navarro
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Rafael Penadés
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, School of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebrón 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Adan
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, School of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebrón 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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