Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal
مجله علوم اعصاب پایه و بالینی
BCN
Medical Sciences
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir
137
journal137
2008-126X
2228-7442
10.32598/bcn
en
jalali
1394
7
1
gregorian
2015
10
1
6
4
online
1
fulltext
en
NEuro COgnitive REhabilitation for Disease of Addiction (NECOREDA) Program: From Development to Trial
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Methodological Notes
Methodological Notes
Despite extensive evidence for cognitive deficits associated with drug use and multiple
publications supporting the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation treatment (CRT) services for drug
addictions, there are a few well-structured tools and organized programs to improve cognitive
abilities in substance users. Most published studies on cognitive rehabilitation for drug dependent
patients used rehabilitation tools, which have been previously designed for other types of brain
injuries such as schizophrenia or traumatic brain injuries and not specifically designed for drug
dependent patients. These studies also suffer from small sample size, lack of follow-up period
assessments and or comprehensive treatment outcome measures. To address these limitations,
we decided to develop and investigate the efficacy of a paper and pencil cognitive rehabilitation
package called NECOREDA (Neurocognitive Rehabilitation for Disease of Addiction) to improve
neurocognitive deficits associated with drug dependence particularly caused by stimulants (e.g.
amphetamine type stimulants and cocaine) and opiates. To evaluate the feasibility of NECOREDA
program, we conducted a pilot study with 10 opiate and methamphetamine dependent patients
for 3 months in outpatient setting. NECOREDA was revised based on qualitative comments
received from clients and treatment providers. Final version of NECOREDA is composed of brain
training exercises called “Brain Gym” and psychoeducational modules called “Brain Treasures”
which is implemented in 16 training sessions interleaved with 16 review and practice sessions.
NECOREDA will be evaluated as an add-on intervention to methadone maintenance treatment
in a randomized clinical trial among opiate dependent patients starting from August 2015. We
discuss methodological features of NECOREDA development and evaluation in this article.
Cognitive enhancers, Drug addiction, NECOREDA, Treatment
291
298
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-809-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Tara
Rezapour
tara.rezapour@gmail.com
1370031947532846005959
1370031947532846005959
No
Translational Neuroscience Program, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
Javad
Hatami
hatamijm@gmail.com
1370031947532846005960
1370031947532846005960
No
Translational Neuroscience Program, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
Ali
Farhoudian
farhoudian@yahoo.com
1370031947532846005961
1370031947532846005961
No
Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehmet
Sofuoglu
mehmet.sofuoglu@yale.edu
1370031947532846005962
1370031947532846005962
No
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, CT, USA.
Alireza
Noroozi
a_r_noroozi@yahoo.com
1370031947532846005963
1370031947532846005963
No
Neurocognitive Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
Reza
Daneshmand
daneshmand74@yahoo.com
1370031947532846005964
1370031947532846005964
No
Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ahmadreza
Samiei
ahmadrezasamiei2014@gmail.com
1370031947532846005965
1370031947532846005965
No
Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Hamed
Ekhtiari
H_Ekhtiari@razi.tums.ac.ir
1370031947532846005966
1370031947532846005966
Yes
Neurocognitive Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.