Cognitive Training Effectiveness on Memory, Executive Functioning, and Processing Speed in Individuals With Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review
Frontiers in Psychology
Caetano, T., Pinho, M. S., et al. (2021).
Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 730165.
<div>This systematic review investigates the impact of cognitive training programs on memory, executive functioning, and processing speed in adults with substance use disorder (SUD). </div>
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal)
1985 to 2019
<div>Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies with a control group</div>
26
<div>Overall, cognitive training had positive effects for adults with SUD. Across studies, the follow results were reported:</div>
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<ul>
<li>clear, significant improvements for at least one cognitive domain (16 out of 26 studies);</li>
<li>marginal, but significant improvements for at least one cognitive domain (2 studies);</li>
<li>ambiguous or unclear results (3 studies);</li>
<li>no significant improvement (5 studies);</li>
<li>positive results for executive functioning (3 studies) and problem solving (1 study); and</li>
<li>mixed outcomes for memory/working memory (6 positive, 5 neutral) and processing speed (1 positive, 3 neutral).</li>
</ul>
<div>Eight studies reported positive impacts on clinical or substance abuse-related outcomes. This was even seen in some studies that did not report significant improvements in cognition. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Limitations to this review include heterogeneity between studies (i.e., different types of SUDs, different types of cognitive trianing programs), lack of long-term follow-up, and risk of bias. </div>
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