Neurorehabilitation in brain tumours: evidences and suggestions for spreading of knowledge and research implementation

Blog, Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, Research

#NPsychPick of the Month: More evidence that early neurorehabilitation can improve the quality of life for brain tumour patients

Carlos Gonzalez
November 19, 2024

Neurorehabilitation in brain tumours: evidences and suggestions for spreading of knowledge and research implementation via Current Opinion in Oncology.

Bartolo, M., Intiso, D., & Zucchella, C. (2023). Neurorehabilitation in brain tumours: evidences and suggestions for spreading of knowledge and research implementation. Current opinion in oncology, 35(6), 543–549.

Summary:

Drawing from the article “Neurorehabilitation in brain tumours: evidences and suggestions for spreading of knowledge and research implementation” by Bartolo, Intiso, and Zucchella, this review highlights the critical role of neurorehabilitation in addressing the sensory-motor and cognitive challenges caused by brain tumours and their treatments.

Key Takeaways:

Early evaluation through a multidisciplinary approach identifies diverse functional impairments.
Tailored rehabilitation programs address physical, cognitive, psychological, and social aspects, improving recovery and participation.
Collaborative care helps patients rebuild their lives and enhances their overall quality of life.

🚀 The Way Forward:

There’s a growing need to promote awareness of rehabilitation among neuro-oncologists and to drive high-quality research in this field.

#NPsychPick of the Month: “There’s something quite unique about behavioural addictions”

Carlos Gonzalez
October 23, 2024

Ella Rhodes spoke to Dr Venetia Leonidaki and Dr Rebecca Lockwood about their work in treating behavioural addictions, and upcoming events via The Psichologist.

Dr Venetia Leonidaki (pictured, left) is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National Gambling Clinic, and Dr Rebecca Lockwood is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National Centre for Gaming Disorders.

Read The Interview Here…

The Carers Way Ahead is a free web-based psychoeducation program to help families and carers learn how to respond in positive and helpful ways to challenging behaviours that their person with a brain injury may engage in.

Blog, Brain Injury, NPsychPick

#NPsychPick of the Month: Strategies to help families and carers manage challenging behaviour in their person with traumatic brain injury

Carlos Gonzalez
September 20, 2024

Strategies to help families and carers manage challenging behaviour in their person with traumatic brain injury.

The Carers Way Ahead is a free web-based psychoeducation program to help families and carers learn how to respond in positive and helpful ways to challenging behaviours that their person with a brain injury may engage in.

#NPsychPick of the Month: Efficacy of an Intensive Exposure Intervention for Individuals With Persistent Concussion Symptoms Following Concussion: A Concurrent Multiple Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design Study

Carlos Gonzalez
September 2, 2024

Efficacy of an Intensive Exposure Intervention for Individuals With Persistent Concussion Symptoms Following Concussion: A Concurrent Multiple Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design (SCED) Study.

King, Skye MSc; Stapert, Sven Z. PhD; Winkens, Ieke PhD; van der Naalt, Joukje PhD, MD; van Heugten, Caroline M. PhD; Rijkeboer, Marleen M. PhD

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

Objective:

After a concussion, 1 in 3 patients report persistent symptoms and experience long-term consequences interfering with daily functioning, known as persistent concussion symptoms (PCS). Evidence suggests PCS is (partly) maintained by anxious thoughts about brain functioning, recovery, and experienced symptoms, leading to avoidance behaviors, which may prevent patients from meeting life demands. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of a newly developed intensive exposure intervention for individuals with PCS after concussion aimed to tackle avoidance behavior.

Setting:

Participants took part in the intervention at the Maastricht University faculty.

Participants:

Four participants who experienced PCS after concussion partook in the exploratory study. Participants’ age ranged between 20 and 32 (mean = 26.5, SD = 5.9) years, with an average length of time after the concussion of 9.8 months.

Design:

A concurrent multiple-baseline single-case design was conducted. The baseline period (A phase) length was randomly determined across participants (3, 4, 5, or 6 weeks). The exposure intervention (B phase) was conducted by psychologists over a 4-week period and consisted of 3 stages: exploration (2 sessions), active exposure (12 sessions conducted over 1 week), and 2 booster sessions.

Main Measures:

Participants answered daily questions on a visual analog scale related to symptom experience, satisfaction with daily functioning, and degree of avoidance of feared activities. Additional outcomes included symptom severity, catastrophizing, fear of mental activity, anxiety, depression, and societal participation.

Results:

Tau-U yielded significant effects (P < .05) for all participants on all measures when comparing baseline and intervention phases. The pooled standardized mean difference was high for all measures (symptom experience = 0.93, satisfaction of daily functioning = 1.86, and activity avoidance = −2.05).

Conclusions:

The results show efficacy of the newly developed intensive exposure treatment for PCS after concussion, which is based on the fear avoidance model. Replication in a larger heterogeneous sample is warranted and needed.

#NPsychPick of the Month: 12 rehab mantras

Carlos Gonzalez
July 18, 2024

12 rehab mantras.

The rehab mantras summarise important principles of neurorehabilitation in short, memorable and repeatable nuggets. Find out what they mean, the research behind them, and discover to what extent they can contribute to best practices.

by Brainkind

#NPsychPick of the Month

#NPsychPick of the Month: Mood Tracker: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-Monitoring Intervention for Emotional Distress After Traumatic Brain Injury

Carlos Gonzalez
June 13, 2024

Mood Tracker: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-Monitoring Intervention for Emotional Distress After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Sherer, Mark PhD; Juengst, Shannon PhD; Sander, Angelle M. PhD; Leon-Novelo, Luis PhD; Liu, Xiangyi MS; Bogaards, Jay MA; Chua, Wilma BBA; Tran, Kim MA

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

Objective:

Persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently experience emotional distress (ED) manifested in anxiety and depression. However, they may not access mental health services due to external (eg, access, transportation, and cost) or internal (eg, stigma and discomfort with traditional counseling) barriers. Based on substantial literature indicating that self-monitoring can ameliorate several health conditions, we conducted a randomized, parallel group, wait-list control (WLC) trial of a self-monitoring intervention to decrease ED after TBI.

Setting:

Community in the southwestern United States.

Participants:

Persons with medically documented complicated mild, moderate, and severe TBI.

Design:

About 127 participants were randomized in blocks of 6 to an active treatment (AT) group, wherein they completed multiple assessments of ED each week over a 6-week period via a smartphone app, or a WLC group in a parallel group, controlled trial. Participants received weekly support calls to promote self-monitoring of ED using ecological momentary assessment.

Main Measures:

ED (Patient Health Questionnaire—9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder—7), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools—Objective.

Results:

Analysis of the primary study outcome at 6 weeks after initiation of treatment for the AT group did not demonstrate that self-monitoring was effective in decreasing ED as compared to the WLC group. Brief support calls made weekly to promote compliance with self-monitoring were effective in achieving the target number of self-assessments. About 80% of support calls lasted less than 5 minutes. Greater ED was associated with lower life satisfaction and lower participation indicating the importance of addressing ED in persons with TBI.

Conclusion:

Additional work is needed to develop nontraditional interventions to circumvent barriers that prevent persons with TBI from accessing care for ED. Brief support calls may be an effective, low-cost intervention to improve compliance with self-monitoring or self-management interventions.

Read more…

Blog, Psychedelic, Research, Therapy

#NPsychPick of the Month: Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy in 3-D: Acceptance, Connectedness, and Defensiveness: Neuropsychoanalysis: Vol 25, No 2.

Carlos Gonzalez
April 11, 2024
Acceptance, Authenticity, Connectedness, Defensiveness, Psychedelic, Transitional space

Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy in 3-D: Acceptance, Connectedness, and Defensiveness.

Lawrence Fischman.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

As psychiatry weighs a move from a categorical to a dimensionally-based classification system, clinical research and treatment paradigms may shift towards identifying which dimensions of mental health can improve treatment outcomes across a broad range of diagnostic categories. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, which is currently in clinical trials for a wide range of conditions from PTSD to tobacco dependency, holds promise for just such a dimensional approach to treatment. Anecdotal reports and qualitative studies have hinted at its potential for decreasing defensiveness and increasing feelings of acceptance and connectedness. In this theoretical paper, I draw upon ideas and research with psychedelics, infant observation, social psychology, and psychoanalysis to explain why psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is especially well-suited for addressing these dimensions of mental health. Because studies already support the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in one dimensionally-based application – the treatment of existential anxiety in patients with cancer – I begin with a look at psychological models of defensiveness in relation to the fear of death. I then use the models of Winnicott, Stern, Carhart-Harris/Friston and others to discuss the experiences of awe, omnipotence, and creativity within ordinary and psychedelic states, and touch on a fourth dimension of mental health, authenticity. I suggest psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may be viewed as a transitional space ideally suited for working through experiences of disconnection through the process of illusion-disillusionment, allowing gradual acceptance. I conclude with a summary of how acceptance, connectedness, and defensiveness are related to each other and to one’s sense of self.

Read more…

Blog, Brain development, Health, mental health, Therapy

#NPsychPick of the Month – Chasing the numinous: Hungry ghosts in the shadow of the psychedelic renaissance. Helge Michael Osterhold, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold. Wiley Library August 2023.

Carlos Gonzalez
December 21, 2023
brain, NPsychPick, NPsychResearch, psychedelics

Chasing the Numinous: Hungry Ghosts in the Shadow of the Psychedelic Renaissance.

Helge Michael Osterhold, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

In recent years a renewed scientific, public and commercial interest in psychedelic medicines can be observed across the globe. As research findings have been generally promising, there is hope for new treatment possibilities for a number of difficult-to-treat mental health concerns. While honouring positive developments and therapeutic promise in relation to the medical use of psychedelics, this paper aims to shine a light on some underlying psycho-cultural shadow dynamics in the unfolding psychedelic renaissance. This paper explores whether and how the multi-layered collective fascination with psychedelics may yet be another symptom pointing towards a deeper psychological and spiritual malaise in the modern Western psyche as diagnosed by C. G. Jung. The question is posed whether the West’s feverish pursuit of psychedelic medicines—from individual consumption to entheogenic tourism, from capitalist commodification of medicines and treatments to the increasing number of ethical scandals and abuse through clinicians and self-proclaimed shamans—is related to a Western cultural complex. As part of the discussion, the archetypal image of the Hungry Ghost, known across Asian cultural and religious traditions, is explored to better understand the aforementioned shadow phenomena and point towards mitigating possibilities.

Read more…

Blog, Brain Injury, mental health, Neuropsychological, NPsychPick, NPsychTeamResearch, Research

#NPsychPick of the Month: Developing an understanding of the Frontal Lobe Paradox through clinical group discussions. Copstick, Sue Turnbull, Lorraine Bobbie Tibbles, Jennifer Ashworth, Sarah Swanepoel, Henk J. Kinch, Julianne Moffitt, Jenna. The Neuropsychologist November 2023 via NPsych

Carlos Gonzalez
November 14, 2023
brain, brain injury, health apps, neurorehabilitation, NPsychPick, NPsychResearch, rehabilitation, research

The Neuropsychologist 16

Developing an understanding of the Frontal Lobe Paradox through clinical group discussions.

Copstick, Sue Turnbull, Lorraine Bobbie Tibbles, Jennifer Ashworth, Sarah Swanepoel, Henk J. Kinch, Julianne Moffitt, Jenna.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

This discussion paper presents reflections from a group of clinical, forensic and neuropsychologists on their clinical caseloads in brain injury rehabilitation services at Cygnet Healthcare. These services specialise in working with people with coexisting mental health or behavioural difficulties where the work involves frequent staff discussions on interpreting an individual’s behaviour, considering its functions and whether it is part of an involuntary neuro-psychological disorder related to their brain injury, specifically the Frontal Lobe Paradox. Through consideration of six patients, the cognitive mechanisms that may relate to, or underlie apparent Frontal Lobe Paradox were highlighted. Several additional reasons were found to explain why people might show this paradox, including testing conditions, slowed processing, reduced attention, disinhibition, self-monitoring problems, and premorbid difficulties. The authors also discuss interventions, which could be used to support these individuals, with the aim of broadening clinical understanding and discussion surrounding the causes of, and treatment approaches for individuals presenting with potential Frontal Lobe Paradox.

Read more…

HCPC registered psychologists with expertise and experience in neurorehabilitation. We offer services such as neuropsychological assessment NPsych

Blog, Diagnosis, Health, Memory, NPsychPick, Rehabilitation, Research, Trauma

#NPsychPick of the Month: Applying EMDR therapy with clients who have impaired cognitive abilities, EMDR Therapy Quarterly, Summer 2023

Carlos Gonzalez
September 13, 2023
blog, brain, brain injury, health apps, memory, neuroscience, npsych, NPsychPick, publication, research, trauma

Neuro EMDR: Applying EMDR therapy with clients who have impaired cognitive abilities

Author: Dr Jonathan Hutchins Simon Proudlock

EMDR therapy has been shown to be highly effective and time efficient in addressing trauma memories in both adults and children. However, there are questions about how EMDR can be effective with adults who have experienced a brain injury or are experiencing other cognitive difficulties. This article summarises some of the recent research within the area and proposes adaptations to the standard protocol that can be made to make best use of EMDR therapy in this population.

Introduction

Within the UK in 2019-2020 there were 356,669 UK admissions to hospital with acquired brain injury (ABI), or any brain injury that has occurred after birth including traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke or brain tumours, which is a 12% increase since 2005-2006 (Headway, 2023). In 2019, there were approximately 977 TBI admissions per day to UK hospitals, one every 90 seconds. The diagnostic criteria for TBI on the DSM V states that there must be an “impact to the head or other mechanisms of rapid movement or displacement of the brain within the skull with one or more of the following: loss of consciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, disorientation and confusion, neurological signs such as neuroimaging demonstrating injury or a worsening of a pre-existing seizure disorder” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Click here to go to the full article…

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Category : Blog

Neurorehabilitation in brain tumours: evidences and suggestions for spreading of knowledge and research implementation via Current Opinion in Oncology.

Ella Rhodes spoke to Dr Venetia Leonidaki and Dr Rebecca Lockwood about their work in treating behavioural addictions, and upcoming events via The Psichologist.

Strategies to help families and carers manage challenging behaviour in their person with traumatic brain injury.

Efficacy of an Intensive Exposure Intervention for Individuals With Persistent Concussion Symptoms Following Concussion: A Concurrent Multiple Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design (SCED) Study.

King, Skye MSc; Stapert, Sven Z. PhD; Winkens, Ieke PhD; van der Naalt, Joukje PhD, MD; van Heugten, Caroline M. PhD; Rijkeboer, Marleen M. PhD

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

Objective:

Setting:

Participants:

Design:

Main Measures:

Results:

Conclusions:

12 rehab mantras.

The rehab mantras summarise important principles of neurorehabilitation in short, memorable and repeatable nuggets. Find out what they mean, the research behind them, and discover to what extent they can contribute to best practices.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Mood Tracker: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-Monitoring Intervention for Emotional Distress After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Sherer, Mark PhD; Juengst, Shannon PhD; Sander, Angelle M. PhD; Leon-Novelo, Luis PhD; Liu, Xiangyi MS; Bogaards, Jay MA; Chua, Wilma BBA; Tran, Kim MA

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

Objective:

Setting:

Participants:

Design:

Main Measures:

Results:

Conclusion:

Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy in 3-D: Acceptance, Connectedness, and Defensiveness.

Lawrence Fischman.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

Chasing the Numinous: Hungry Ghosts in the Shadow of the Psychedelic Renaissance.

Helge Michael Osterhold, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

The Neuropsychologist 16

Developing an understanding of the Frontal Lobe Paradox through clinical group discussions.

Copstick, Sue Turnbull, Lorraine Bobbie Tibbles, Jennifer Ashworth, Sarah Swanepoel, Henk J. Kinch, Julianne Moffitt, Jenna.

#NPsychPick of the Month

Abstract

Introduction

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