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Working memory and attention are still impaired after three years in patients with stress‐related exhaustion
Author(s) -
Jonsdottir Ingibjörg H.,
Nordlund Arto,
Ellbin Susanne,
Ljung Thomas,
Glise Kristina,
Währborg Peter,
Sjörs Anna,
Wallin Anders
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/sjop.12394
Subject(s) - cognition , neuropsychology , psychology , working memory , executive functions , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , burnout , clinical psychology , cognitive skill , impaired memory , psychiatry , audiology , medicine
Cognitive impairment is one of the most pronounced symptoms reported by patients with stress‐related mental health problems. Impairments related to executive function and to some extent speed and attention are therefore common in patients with stress‐related burnout/exhaustion. In this paper we present a follow‐up of cognitive performance in patients with stress‐related exhaustion several years after they initially sought medical care. Thirty patients and 27 healthy controls, mean age 49 years ( SD 6.5) and 55 years ( SD 6.7) respectively, were included, all of whom had undergone baseline measurements of neuropsychological functioning. The mean follow‐up time was three years. Half of the patients still reported mental health problems at follow‐up and over time no major changes in cognitive performance were noted. The patients still performed significantly poorer than controls with regard to cognitive functions, mainly related to speed, attention and memory function. Long‐lasting impairment of cognitive functions related to speed, attention and memory function noted in patients with stress‐related exhaustion should be acknowledged and taken into consideration during treatment and when discussing a return to work. Follow‐up periods longer than three years are needed to explore the persistence of the cognitive impairment.