Original Title: Eficacia y seguridad de la terapia neuropsicológica asociada a los procesos neurológicos. Indicaciones en el ámbito hospitalario

Authors' objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neuropsychological therapy applied in the management of neurological disorders and cognitive impairment.

Authors' results and conclusions: Results In the exploratory review, 585 references were analyzed and 153 studies were included, which identified cognitive dysfunction as the most represented indication in more than half of the references analyzed. Likewise, more than half of the studies analyzed addressed cognitionoriented interventions, including cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive training and cognitive stimulation. In the systematic review of systematic reviews, 1,927 references were analyzed and five studies were included. These papers evaluated the efficacy of these three types of neuropsychological interventions in people with cognitive impairment. The results indicated that they produce significant improvements in domains such as global cognition, verbal fluency, and goal attainment. However, the quality of evidence and magnitude of effects vary, and in some cases, no significant benefits in quality of life, mood, or daily activities are observed. Conclusions According to the scientific literature reviewed, the three neuropsychological interventions evaluated demonstrate significant benefits in multiple domains, with no substantial adverse effects reported. However, the scientific community has identified a need for more robust and comparative studies with prolonged follow-up periods. Such studies would facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of the interventions' durability and costeffectiveness, as well as optimize their impact on patients' functionality and well-being.

Authors' methods: Materials and methods The present report utilizes two complementary approaches: a preliminary exploratory review to provide an overview of neuropsychological interventions for neurological disorders and cognitive impairment, and a systematic review of systematic reviews to assess the efficacy and safety of these interventions. For both approaches, specific search strategies were developed, and the following electronic databases were consulted: MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS), PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, InaHTA, the US Clinical Trials Registry ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO (World Health Organization) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Primary studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. Two independent reviewers conducted the study selection and data extraction. A qualitative synthesis of the results was performed. The quality of the studies was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool for systematic reviews.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.aetsa.org/publicacion/eficacia-y-seguridad-de-la-terapia-neuropsicologica-asociada-a-los-procesos-neurologicos-indicaciones-en-el-ambito-hospitalario/

Year Published: 2025

URL for published report: https://www.aetsa.org/download/publicaciones/Neuropsicologia-hospitalaria_web.pdf

Requestor: Spanish Health Ministry

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: Spain

DOI: 10.52766/JPPN6226

Organisation Name: Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Area

Contact Address: Area de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias Sanitarias de Andalucia (AETSA) Avda. Innovación, s/n Edificio Arena 1. Sevilla (Spain) Tel. +34 955 006 309

Contact Name: aetsa.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es

Contact Email: aetsa.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es

Copyright: <p>Andalusian Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AETSA)</p>