Tests de ejecución continua: Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT) y TDAH. Una revisión

En los últimos años son frecuentes las publicaciones sobre el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) que utilizan los test de ejecución continua, siendo escasos los trabajos que permiten una visión global de las numerosas utilidades de estos instrumentos y la variedad de los mismos En este trabajo se describen las características de este tipo de test, en relación a su uso y aplicación en el TDAH, haciendo espe¬cial hincapié, posteriormente, en la relación entre el Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT) y el TDAH. Con este propósito, se han revisado las publicaciones científicas sobre el tema, abarcando el periodo de tiempo desde 1990 hasta Mayo de 2015. Los re-sultados observados en las 139 investigaciones recogidas sugieren dos utilidades principales: 1) Instrumentos complementarios para la evaluación y diagnóstico del Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad y, 2), como prueba para la valoración de la eficacia de las intervenciones terapéuticas. Se exponen las ventajas e inconvenientes de estos instrumentos y la proyección futura de los mismos.Continuous Performance Tests: Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (VAT / CPT) and ADHD. A review. A review. In recent years, publications about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using continuous performance tests are frequent, although there are few studies that allow us to have an overview of the numerous uses of these instruments and their variety. This work describes and analyzes the characteristics of this kind of tests, in relation to its use and application in ADHD with particular emphasis in the relationship between ADHD and the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT) (Sandford and Turner, 2002). For this purpose, the scientific literature on the subject, covering the period from 1990 to May 2015 was reviewed. The results observed in 139 collected researches suggest two main utilities: 1) as a complementary tool for evaluation and diagnosis of ADHD and, 2) regarding treatment, as a test to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. The advantages and disadvantages of these instruments and its future projection are exposed

Administering the CPT/IVA to evaluate the effects of neurofeedback in ADHD

Continuous Performance Tests (CPT) have proven effective for monitoring the effects of treatments for ADHD, especially neurofeedback and virtual reality. The Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT), which is ba¬sed on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, allows hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and inattention to be assessed at the visual and auditory level. The goal of this study is to determine whether the IVA/CPT is a useful scale to measure the therapeutic efficacy of neurofeedback. A total of 16 male and female subjects ages 7-14 with a diagnosis of ADHD who had been randomly assigned to neurofeedback treatment participated in the study. Attention and hyperactivity were the variables evaluated in the pre- and post-treatment phases. Through comparisons of means and effect size calculation, the efficacy of neurofeedback was estimated according to the children’s performance in the auditory and visual variables of the CPT/IVA. The data obtained reveal signifi¬cant improvement in self-control and symptoms of inattention following the treatment

Aplicación del CPT/IVA en la valoración de los efectos del neurofeedback en el TDAH

Los tests de ejecución continua (Continuous Performance Test-CPT) han resultado eficaces para monitorizar los efectos de tra¬tamientos aplicados en TDAH, especialmente Neurofeedback y Realidad Virtual. El Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT) basado en los criterios diagnósticos del DSM-IV, permite valorar, visual y auditivamente, sinto¬matología hiperactiva-impulsiva e inatención. El objetivo de este estudio es precisar la utilidad del IVA/CPT como medida de eficacia terapéutica respecto al neurofeedback. Han participado 16 sujetos de ambos sexos entre 7 y 14 años, con diagnóstico de TDAH, asignados aleatoriamente a tratamiento de Neurofeedback. Se han evaluado las variables atención e hiperactividad en las fases pre- y post-tratamiento. La eficacia del neurofeedback, a partir de contrastes de medias y cálculo del tamaño de efec¬to, se ha estimado según la ejecución de los niños en las variables del CPT/IVA, auditivo y visual, respectivamente. Los datos obtenidos revelan mejoría significativa tanto en control de comportamiento como respecto a sintomatología atencional tras el tratamiento.Continuous Performance Tests (CPT) have proven effective for monitoring the effects of treatments for ADHD, especially neurofeedback and virtual reality. The Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT), which is ba¬sed on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, allows hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and inattention to be assessed at the visual and auditory level. The goal of this study is to determine whether the IVA/CPT is a useful scale to measure the therapeutic efficacy of neurofeedback. A total of 16 male and female subjects ages 7-14 with a diagnosis of ADHD who had been randomly assigned to neurofeedback treatment participated in the study. Attention and hyperactivity were the variables evaluated in the pre- and post-treatment phases. Through comparisons of means and effect size calculation, the efficacy of neurofeedback was estimated according to the children’s performance in the auditory and visual variables of the CPT/IVA. The data obtained reveal signifi¬cant improvement in self-control and symptoms of inattention following the treatment

Preliminary Validation and Gender Invariance of the Technology Anxiety Scale in Older Spanish Adults

Background: Technology anxiety is more prevalent in older people and can compromise their functionality in an increasingly techno-dependent world. There are no validated instruments to assess it in older Spanish people. Method: A technology anxiety scale was cross-culturally adapted and applied to 355 Spaniards (66% women, M = 78.63, SD = 6.77). Two models were tested by confirmatory factor analysis: a one-dimensional model (technology anxiety) and a model with two correlated factors (fear and confidence in technology, respectively). Results: Both showed an adequate fit, although higher in the two-factor correlated model (χ2 = 243.797, df = 26, CFI = .969, TLI = .945, SRMR = .039). Concurrent validity was confirmed through correlations with psychological well-being, quality of life, and health satisfaction. Configural, metric, and scalar factorial gender invariance were also verified. Conclusion: Our data support the preliminary validity of the Technology Anxiety Scale in older Spanish men and women

Demanda de apoyo psicosocial en cuidadores de niños con enfermedades de baja prevalencia

La denominación de enfermedades raras agrupa un conjunto heterogéneo de patologías que comparten su baja prevalencia, estimada por debajo de 5 casos por cada 10.000 habitantes. Se trata de enfermedades crónicas, de difícil diagnóstico, respecto a las cuales no existe una respuesta terapéutica integral. Conllevan disminución de la esperanza de vida y problemas significativos a los individuos que las padecen. Su repercusión adversa se extiende también a la familia. El trabajo realizado en este contexto tiene como objetivos: a) analizar la percepción de progenitores respecto a las consecuencias de la enfermedad diagnosticada a sus hijos y a sus necesidades asistenciales y de apoyo y b) determinar la influencia que sobre estas cuestiones ejerce el grado de incapacidad asociada. Han participado 33 progenitores de niños diagnosticados de enfermedades raras e infrecuentes, agrupados en dos subgrupos según el tipo de afectación cognitiva o física vinculada. Los resultados revelan que el grado de afectación física de la enfermedad influye sobre la valoración de la calidad de vida de los progenitores. Independientemente del diagnóstico, los padres que muestran elevados niveles de alteraciones emocionales refieren necesidades insatisfechas de información y formación relativa al manejo de los aspectos emocionales y conductuales implicados.The denomination of rare diseases includes a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by their low prevalence, estimated in less than 5 cases each 10.000 inhabitants. They are chronic diseases, difficult to diagnose, without a complete therapeutic response. It evolves decreasing life expectancy and significant problems to affected individuals. Its adverse impact extends to the family. The work carried out in this context has the followings objectives: a) to analyze parent’s perception with regard to the consequences of their children disease and their care and support needs and b) to determine the influence of the associated disability. 33parents of children diagnosed with rare and unusual illnesses have been interviewed, grouped in two subgroups according to the kind of cognitive or physic suffering. Results reveals that the seriousness of the disease’s physical symptoms has influence on parents perceptions of quality of life. Regardless of the diagnosis, parents, with show high levels of emotional disorders, indicates the necessity of information and training relating to the management of the emotional and behavioral aspects involved

Psychological factors and wellbeing in breast cancer patients compared to healthy women

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with nearly 1.7 million new cases diagnosed every year. This represents about 12% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women (World Cancer Research Fund International, 2015). Also, it is estimated an increase of between 22.000-25.000 new cases per year. Even more, in spite of being considered a multi-causal disease, we must consider that between the 70% and the 80% breast cancer occurs in women without a likely risk factor