Effects of a process-based cognitive training intervention for patients with stress-related exhaustion

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

Stress-related exhaustion has been linked to a pattern of selective cognitive impairments, mainly affecting executive functioning, attention and episodic memory. Little is known about potential treatments of these cognitive deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a process-based cognitive training intervention, designed to target the specific cognitive impairments associated with stress-related exhaustion. To this end, patients diagnosed with exhaustion disorder (ED) were randomized to either a multimodal stress rehabilitation program with the addition of a process-based cognitive training intervention (training group, n = 27) or a treatment-as-usual control condition, consisting of multimodal stress rehabilitation with no additional training (control group, n = 32). Treatment effects were evaluated through an extensive cognitive test battery, assessing both near and far transfer effects, as well as self-report forms regarding subjective cognitive complaints and burnout levels. Results showed pronounced training-related improvements on the criterion updating task (p < 0.001). Further, evidence was found of selective near transfer effects to updating (p = 0.01) and episodic memory (p = 0.04). Also, the trained group reported less subjective memory complaints (p = 0.02) and levels of burnout decreased for both groups, but more so for the trained group (p = 0.04), following the intervention. These findings suggest that process-based cognitive training may be a viable method to address the cognitive impairments associated with ED.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftStress
Vol/bind18
Udgave nummer5
Sider (fra-til)578-588
Antal sider11
ISSN1025-3890
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 3 sep. 2015

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. This research was supported by a grant from the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working life and Welfare, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (REHSAM), the Västerbotten County Council and the Graduate School in Population Dynamics and Public Policy at Umeå University.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Taylor & Francis.

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