Neuropsychological Rehabilitation of Executive Functions: Challenges and Perspectives
Priscila Dib Gonçalves, Mariella Ometto, Gabriela Sendoya, Cristine Lacet, Luciana Monteiro, Paulo Jannuzzi Cunha
Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil.
Equilibrium Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil.
Interdisciplinary Group of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (GREA), Institute of Psychiatry (IPq), School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil 2Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging (LIM 21), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil 3Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil 4Psychology & Neuropsychology Service, Institute of Psychiatry (IPq), School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil.
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging (LIM 21), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil 3Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil.
Psychology & Neuropsychology Service, Institute of Psychiatry (IPq), School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo (USP), S?o Paulo, Brazil.
DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2014.41004   PDF    HTML     6,532 Downloads   11,507 Views   Citations

Abstract


Introduction: Executive Dysfunction (ED) is associated with difficulties in daily life and poor treatment adherence in individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this paper is to present an update of Executive Function (EF) Rehabilitation Techniques. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature review using the following keywords: executive function, mental disorders and rehabilitation in the PubMed, specific journals and books. Results: There is evidence of improvement of EF using some rehabilitation techniques, such as goal planning, goal management training, problem solving training, verbalization, drill and practice approach, metacognitive strategy instruction, computer-assisted training and neurofeedback. However, impact of rehabilitation on daily life remains poorly understood. Conclusion: Executive Dysfunction (ED) may be remediated and/or compensated at a certain degree by neuropsychological rehabilitation, but there is still a great challenge in this area based on how to measure effectiveness of EF interventions on daily life. There is a need for the development of new and/or combined techniques (i.e., pharmacological treatment, deep-brain stimulation) for a broader impact on quality of life for patients.



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P. Gonçalves, M. Ometto, G. Sendoya, C. Lacet, L. Monteiro and P. Cunha, "Neuropsychological Rehabilitation of Executive Functions: Challenges and Perspectives," Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, Vol. 4 No. 1, 2014, pp. 27-32. doi: 10.4236/jbbs.2014.41004.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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