Neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder and changes over time
Description
Neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder and changes over time: Attention and memory problems are some of the most persisting and debilitating symptoms related to PTSD. This symposium will focus on neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder with particular emphasis on changes over time or changes due to treatment.
Effects of psychotherapy on neuropsychological performance in PTSD: Two of the most common findings in neuropsychological studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are impairments of attention and verbal memory. This presentation addresses whether these impairments improve after trauma-focused psychotherapy. Data are presented from an ongoing randomized controlled trial comparing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (n = 70) and Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP; n = 70). Participants were outpatients diagnosed with PTSD after a type I trauma of different kind. Attention and memory were investigated before and after treatment using the following neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test, STROOP task, California Verbal Learning Test and Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Different versions of the memory tests were administrated at pre- and postassessment in order to control for learning effects. Preliminary results of treatment completers indicate significant improvements of verbal memory and divided attention after both treatments. Differences between the treatments as well as the clinical relevance of the findings will be discussed.
Effects of psychotherapy on neuropsychological performance in PTSD: Two of the most common findings in neuropsychological studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are impairments of attention and verbal memory. This presentation addresses whether these impairments improve after trauma-focused psychotherapy. Data are presented from an ongoing randomized controlled trial comparing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (n = 70) and Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP; n = 70). Participants were outpatients diagnosed with PTSD after a type I trauma of different kind. Attention and memory were investigated before and after treatment using the following neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test, STROOP task, California Verbal Learning Test and Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Different versions of the memory tests were administrated at pre- and postassessment in order to control for learning effects. Preliminary results of treatment completers indicate significant improvements of verbal memory and divided attention after both treatments. Differences between the treatments as well as the clinical relevance of the findings will be discussed.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Olff, M., Nijdam, M., Samuelson, K., Golier, J., Meewisse, M., Marmar, C., Yehuda, R., Gersons, B., & Neylan, T. (2007, November). Neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder and changes over time. Symposium conducted at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 23rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD
Citation
“Neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder and changes over time,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 13, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/19007.