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Neuropsychological changes in patients with substance use disorder after completion of a one month intensive outpatient treatment program
Author(s) -
McKowen James W.,
Isenberg Benjamin M.,
Carrellas Nicholas W.,
Zulauf Courtney A.,
Ward Nalan E.,
Fried Ronna S.,
Wilens Timothy E.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12824
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , neuropsychology , medicine , cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery , executive dysfunction , psychiatry , substance abuse , executive functions , clinical psychology , psychology , cognition , working memory , spatial memory
Background and Objectives Data suggest individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) exhibit high rates of executive functioning (EF) impairment, and that EF level can predict treatment retention. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if patients who completed a 1 month intensive outpatient program (IOP) for SUD demonstrated recovered EF. Methods Baseline and follow‐up neurocognitive functioning was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and the self‐reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF‐A) questionnaire. Results The final sample included 15 patients who completed the one month IOP and for whom data were available (53% male, aged 36 years ± 13.4). Despite exhibiting general improvements in EF and significant improvements in organization, subjects continued to manifest significant executive dysfunction as evaluated by self‐report and computerized assessment. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Patients with SUD often manifest high levels of executive dysfunction upon entry into SUD treatment that, while improving minimally, appears to persist despite intensive outpatient treatment at 1 month. These persistent EF deficits may affect patient engagement and participation in treatment, thus necessitating SUD programs to assess and accommodate EF issues throughout treatment. (Am J Addict 2018;XX:1–7)