Percorrer por autor "Freire-Santos, Filipa"
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- Development and usability of VRainSUD’s cognitive training virtual reality platform for substance use disordersPublication . Caetano, Tânia; Pinho, Maria Salomé; Freire, Hugo; Mota, Dany; Ramadas, Eduardo; Lopes,Jessica; Freire-Santos, Filipa; Dixe, Maria dos AnjosCognitive deficits have been shown to increase the likelihood of relapse in individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). As such, cognitive training programs are important interventions for this population. In this study, we describe the development and test the usability of a virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive training program for individuals with SUD – VRainSUD. A total of 17 patients receiving inpatient treatment for SUD at an Addiction Treatment Center agreed to participate in the study. Participants completed 9 tasks designed to test the platform’s usability. The key performance indicators (e.g., time to complete the task) as well as any relevant observations were recorded. Finally, each participant completed a brief survey and the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). VRainSUD was considered easy and pleasant to use but additional instructions were required on certain cognitive training tasks. The total PSSUQ score confirmed an overall high level of satisfaction concerning the platform’s usability (2.72 ± 1.92). Among the three subscales, system usefulness presented the most satisfactory score (1.76 ± 1.37) and information quality presented the least satisfactory score (3.00 ± 1.95). Changes were made to the platform to improve the on-screen information and instructions. Overall, participants showed interest in integrating VRainSUD into their standard treatment. Despite limited prior VR experience, they quickly adapted to the controllers and navigation. VRainSUD can be a potentially successful add-on to SUD treatment.
- Effectiveness of a virtual reality-based cognitive training program on memory, executive functioning, and processing speed in individuals with substance use disorders: a quasi-experimental studyPublication . Caetano, Tânia; Pinho, Maria Salomé; Ramadas, Eduardo; Freire-Santos, Filipa; Dixe, Maria dos AnjosBackground: Cognitive deficits are frequently observed in individuals with Substance use disorders (SUD) and have been linked to poorer treatment outcomes and a heightened risk of relapse. We aimed to study the effectiveness of a 6-week virtual reality-based cognitive training program (VRainSUD-VR) on neuropsychological outcomes, specifically memory, executive functioning, and processing speed, as well as on treatment dropout rates in individuals with SUD. We hypothesized that adding VRainSUD-VR to treatment as usual (TAU) would lead to greater cognitive improvements compared to TAU alone. As a secondary hypothesis, we expectedVRainSUD-VRtoreducefalsememoriesrelativetoTAU. Methods: A non-randomized design with a control group, pre- and post-test assessments, and convenience sampling was employed. Patients (N = 47) were assigned to either the control group (CG), which received TAU (n = 22), or the experimental group (EG), which received VRainSUD-VR in addition to TAU (n = 25). Cognitive and treatment outcomes (e.g., dropout rates) were assessed at pre- and post-test. Results: Statistically significant time × group interactions were found for overall executive functioning [F(1,75) = 20.05, p < 0.001] and global memory [F(1,75) = 36.42, p < 0.001], indicating the effectiveness of VRainSUD-VR. No significant time × group interactions were found for most processing speed outcomes (p >0.05). Conclusion: VRainSUD-VR could be integrated into residential programs to improve general executive functioning, perceptual reasoning, and working memory, including visual working memory, as well as different aspects of global memory, such as visual, auditory, immediate, and delayed recall. Future research should explore the long-term effects of this intervention and consider additional potential mediating factors to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying its effectiveness.