P Moretta1, O Masotta1, E Crispino1, G Castronovo2, S Ruvolo2, C Montalbano2, V Loreto1, L Trojano1,3, A Estraneo1. 1. a Disorders of Consciousness Laboratory, ICS Maugeri, IRCCS , Scientific Institute of Telese Terme , Telese Terme , Italy. 2. b ICS Maugeri, Neurorehabilitation Unit , Presidio Sanitario di Sciacca , Sciacca , Italy. 3. c Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology , University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Caserta , Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the possible presence of reduced cognitive efficiency in family caregivers of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DOC). SUBJECTS: The participants were 27 caregivers of 25 patients with DOC admitted to the severe brain injury units of the ICS Maugeri, Institutes of Telese Terme and Sciacca, Italy. METHODS: We examined cognitive functions such as short- and long-term memory, executive functions and attention by means of standardized tests. We also assessed features of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, psychophysiological symptoms, prolonged grief disorder, psychological burden and quality of life. All scores on neuropsychological tests were compared with those of the 15 matched control subjects. RESULTS: Enrolled family caregivers showed high frequency of clinically relevant depressive symptoms and anxiety; half of them met the criteria for prolonged grief disorder. Caregivers achieved scores lower than the matched controls on tests for selective attention, verbal fluency and long-term spatial memory. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers' burden is associated with a reduced efficiency of selected executive measures and visuospatial learning. These results emphasize the need for appropriate psychological and cognitive supporting therapies for family caregivers of patients with DOC, also considering their delicate involvement in clinical decision-making and in providing care.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the possible presence of reduced cognitive efficiency in family caregivers of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DOC). SUBJECTS: The participants were 27 caregivers of 25 patients with DOC admitted to the severe brain injury units of the ICS Maugeri, Institutes of Telese Terme and Sciacca, Italy. METHODS: We examined cognitive functions such as short- and long-term memory, executive functions and attention by means of standardized tests. We also assessed features of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, psychophysiological symptoms, prolonged grief disorder, psychological burden and quality of life. All scores on neuropsychological tests were compared with those of the 15 matched control subjects. RESULTS: Enrolled family caregivers showed high frequency of clinically relevant depressive symptoms and anxiety; half of them met the criteria for prolonged grief disorder. Caregivers achieved scores lower than the matched controls on tests for selective attention, verbal fluency and long-term spatial memory. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers' burden is associated with a reduced efficiency of selected executive measures and visuospatial learning. These results emphasize the need for appropriate psychological and cognitive supporting therapies for family caregivers of patients with DOC, also considering their delicate involvement in clinical decision-making and in providing care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Disorders of consciousness; cognitive functioning; cognitive impairment; family caregivers; psychological distress; rehabilitation
Authors: A Pascarella; S Fiorenza; O Masotta; V Tibollo; D Vella; Anna Maria Nardone; Marta Rossi; P Volanti; F Madonia; Gaetano Cstronovo; D De Cicco; Caterina Guarnaschelli; M P Achilli; C Chiapparino; M T Angelillo; M A Tommasi; F Pisano; G Grioni; G Vezzadini; G Ferriero; S Salvaderi; R Bellazzi; Anna Estraneo Journal: Funct Neurol Date: 2018 Jan/Mar
Authors: Carlo Cavaliere; Sivayini Kandeepan; Marco Aiello; Demetrius Ribeiro de Paula; Rocco Marchitelli; Salvatore Fiorenza; Mario Orsini; Luigi Trojano; Orsola Masotta; Keith St Lawrence; Vincenzo Loreto; Blaine Alexander Chronik; Emanuele Nicolai; Andrea Soddu; Anna Estraneo Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2018-10-18 Impact factor: 4.003