Cognitive And Neuropsychological Assessments For Co-Occurring Opioid And Amphetamine-Type Stimulant (COATS) Dependent Patients
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Date
2016-12
Authors
Hashim, Norhamizah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Several studies have shown that individuals with drug dependence have poorer cognitive functions in the domain of executive functions. Studies investigating cognitive impairments in people with poly-drug use are limited. This study is designed to evaluate the scope and the specific patterns of deficits in cognitive and neuropsychological functioning among opiate and ATS (Dual Drug Dependence (DDD)) abusing individuals enrolled in a medication-assisted treatment in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan. A total of n=96 male respondents (n=56 patients, and n=40 control group) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Cognitive functions evaluated were Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, Trail Making Test, Raven’s Progressive Matrices, Digit Span Test, Digit Symbol Test, and Stroop Test were administered. Results showed that patients performed significantly worse in perceptual motor speed and visual scanning measured by Trail Making Test Part A, cognitive flexibility measured by Trail Making Test Part B, and mental processing speed measured by Digit Symbol Test compared to those in the control group. Results suggest that there were slight impairments in perceptual motor speed, visual scanning, cognitive flexibility, and mental processing speed among patients with dual drug dependence. Therefore, proper prevention and treatment interventions should take into account the cognitive problems in patients who have dual dependency.
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Keywords
Cognitive and neuropsychological assessments , amphetamine-type stimulant