Motivational Interviewing combined with chess accelerates improvement in executive functions in cocaine dependent patients: A one-month prospective study

Author(s):Show less -

Goncalves, Priscila Dib ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]} ; Ometto, Mariella ^{[1, 2]} ; Bechara, Antoine ^[5] ; Malbergier, Andre ^[3] ; Amaral, Ricardo ^[3] ; Nicastri, Sergio ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Martins, Paula A. ^[2] ; Beraldo, Livia ^[3] ; dos Santos, Bernardo ^[6] ; Fuentes, Daniel ^[4] ; Andrade, Arthur G. ^[3] ; Busatto, Geraldo F. ^{[1, 2]} ; Cunha, Paulo Jannuzzi ^{[1, 2, 3, 7]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinary Res Appl Neurosci NAPNA, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat, Lab Psychiat Neuroimaging LIM 21, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Inst Psychiat IPq, Interdisciplinary Grp Studies Alcohol & Drugs GRE, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, IPq, Psychol & Neuropsychol Serv, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ So Calif, Dept Psychol, Brain & Creat Inst, Los Angeles, CA 90089 - USA

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Nursing, BR-05403000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Psychiat, Equilibrium Program, BR-01135000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE; v. 141, p. 79-84, AUG 1 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

Background: In cocaine-dependent individuals, executive function (EF) deficits are associated with poor treatment outcomes. Psychological interventions and pharmacological approaches have produced only modest effect sizes. To date, studies of this topic have been few and limited. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a new model of intervention, which integrates chess and Motivational Interviewing, Motivational Chess (MC) Methods: We evaluated 46 cocaine-dependent inpatients (aged 18-45), in two groups-MC (n=26); and active comparison-AC (n=20). Using neuropsychological tests and an impulsivity scale, we assessed the subjects before and after the study period (one month of abstinence monitored by urine toxicology screening). Results: The MC and AC groups did not differ at baseline. In the post-intervention assessment (after one month), both groups showed significant improvements in attention, mental flexibility, inhibitory control, abstraction abilities, and decision-making (p<0.01). In addition, the improvement in working memory was more significant in the MC group than in the AC group (group-by-time interaction, p=01). Conclusions: One month of abstinence was sufficient to improve various attentional and executive domains in cocaine-dependent subjects. The MC intervention was associated with greater improvements in EFs, especially working memory, suggesting that tailored interventions focusing on complex EFs accelerate the process of cognitive recovery during the initial period of abstinence. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/01272-6 - Research about the impact of neuropsychological rehabilitation on cocaine/crack dependents
• Grantee: Priscila Dib Goncalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master