Executive functioning in addicts following health mobile cognitive stimulation Evidence from alcohol and heroin patients

P. Gamito, J. Oliveira, P. Lopes, D. Morais, R. Brito, S. Cristovao, C. Cacoete, E. Henriques, D. Silva, A. Silva, S. Rebelo, A. Bastos, A. Deus

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The consequences of alcohol and opioid dependence are severe and may range from physical diseases to neuropsychological deficits in several cognitive domains. Alcohol and opioid abuse has also been related to brain dysfunction specifically in the prefrontal cortex. In order to assess these deficits and the application of a novel approach of cognitive stimulation to alcohol and heroin addicts, we have carried out a neuropsychological intervention program with mobile technology. Sixty-six alcohol and heroin addicts in rehabilitation were submitted to cognitive stimulation during four weeks in a three-day/week basis. The results of the neuropsychological assessments showed an overall increase of general cognitive abilities and executive functioning following cognitive stimulation, being more pronounced in alcoholics who were assigned to treatment group with mobile technologies in comparison to paper-and-pencil group and controls. These results support the usefulness of mobile serious games for neuropsychological stimulation to overcome executive dysfunction in patients with alcohol and heroin dependence.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2013 7th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and Workshops, PervasiveHealth 2013
Pages385-388
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Event2013 7th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and Workshops, PervasiveHealth 2013 - Venice, Italy
Duration: 5 May 20138 May 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2013 7th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and Workshops, PervasiveHealth 2013

Conference

Conference2013 7th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and Workshops, PervasiveHealth 2013
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityVenice
Period5/05/138/05/13

Keywords

  • addiction
  • alcohol
  • cognitive stimulation
  • executive function
  • heroin
  • mobile health

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