Neuropsychological Assessment and Rehabilitation

Siegfried Gauggel, Aachen, Germany

In this workshop an introduction into neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation is provided. In a first part prevalent neuropsychological disorders are presented . In addition, the terminology and major assumptions behind neuropsychological assessment are explained. This is accomplished by presentations of short and prototypical clinical descriptions of paradigmatic disorders. The sample cases start with a short medical history, present results of neuropsychological assessments, and explain test results in relation to the patients' medical condition and history. Based on this information therapeutic strategies are derived.

The second part is centered around the description of assessment strategies (i.e., the assessment and evaluation of functional domains in specific disorders) and frequently used neuropsychological tests (e.g., Auditory Verbal Learning test, Attention Network Test, Trail Making Test). The history and the development of the selected tests are discussed, and practical instructions on how to administer and evaluate test results are provided. In addition, important rating scales (e.g., Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Apathy Evaluation Scale, Neuropsychiatric Rating Schedule, Functional Independence Measure) are introduced with which symptoms and limitations in activities and participation can be measured.

The third part of the workshop focuses on neuropsychological intervention strategies. Approaches are presented not only to the usual foci of restitution of functions (e.g., (visual perception, memory, learning, and attention) through specific training programmes, but also interventions to deficits in areas of more complex, everyday activity such as executive, motivational and social and emotional functioning. Neuropsychological interventions are subsumed under the umbrella of psychotherapy.

References

Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R. A. (1992). Psychological compensation: a theoretical framework. Psychological Bulletin, 112(2), 259-283.
Eslinger, P. J. (2002). Neuropsychological Interventions: Clinical Research and Practice. New York: Guilford Press.
Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., & Loring, D. W. (2004). Neuropsychological assessment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wilson, B. A. (2003). Neuropsychological Rehabilitation: Theory and Practice. Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.
Wilson, B. A. (2000). Compensating for cognitive deficits following brain injury. Neuropsychological Review, 10(4), 233-243.