Delivery of Neuropsychological Interventions for Adult and Older Adult Clinical Populations: An Australian Expert Working Group Clinical Guidance Paper

Dana Wong; Kerryn Pike; Rene Stolwyk; Kelly Allott; Jennie Ponsford; Adam McKay; Wendy Longley; Pascalle Bosboom; Antoinette Hodge; Glynda Kinsella; Loren Mowszowski

doi:10.1007/s11065-023-09624-0

Delivery of Neuropsychological Interventions for Adult and Older Adult Clinical Populations: An Australian Expert Working Group Clinical Guidance Paper

Neuropsychol Rev. 2023 Nov 30. doi: 10.1007/s11065-023-09624-0. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Dana Wong¹, Kerryn Pike^{2

3}, Rene Stolwyk^{4

5}, Kelly Allott^{6

7}, Jennie Ponsford^{4

5}, Adam McKay^{4

8}, Wendy Longley^{9

10}, Pascalle Bosboom^{11

12}, Antoinette Hodge¹³, Glynda Kinsella¹⁴, Loren Mowszowski¹⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. d.wong@latrobe.edu.au.
² School of Psychology and Public Health & John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
³ School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
⁴ School of Psychological Sciences, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ , Orygen, Parkville, Australia.
⁷ Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
⁸ MERRC, Rehabilitation and Mental Health Division, Epworth HealthCare, Richmond, Australia.
⁹ Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹⁰ The Uniting War Memorial Hospital, Waverley, Sydney, Australia.
¹¹ MindLink Psychology, West Perth, Australia.
¹² School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
¹³ The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia.
¹⁴ School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁵ Faculty of Science, School of Psychology & Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 38032472
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-023-09624-0

Abstract

Delivery of neuropsychological interventions addressing the cognitive, psychological, and behavioural consequences of brain conditions is increasingly recognised as an important, if not essential, skill set for clinical neuropsychologists. It has the potential to add substantial value and impact to our role across clinical settings. However, there are numerous approaches to neuropsychological intervention, requiring different sets of skills, and with varying levels of supporting evidence across different diagnostic groups. This clinical guidance paper provides an overview of considerations and recommendations to help guide selection, delivery, and implementation of neuropsychological interventions for adults and older adults. We aimed to provide a useful source of information and guidance for clinicians, health service managers, policy-makers, educators, and researchers regarding the value and impact of such interventions. Considerations and recommendations were developed by an expert working group of neuropsychologists in Australia, based on relevant evidence and consensus opinion in consultation with members of a national clinical neuropsychology body. While the considerations and recommendations sit within the Australian context, many have international relevance. We include (i) principles important for neuropsychological intervention delivery (e.g. being based on biopsychosocial case formulation and person-centred goals); (ii) a description of clinical competencies important for effective intervention delivery; (iii) a summary of relevant evidence in three key cohorts: acquired brain injury, psychiatric disorders, and older adults, focusing on interventions with sound evidence for improving activity and participation outcomes; (iv) an overview of considerations for sustainable implementation of neuropsychological interventions as 'core business'; and finally, (v) a call to action.

Keywords: Clinical implementation; Clinician competencies; Cognitive rehabilitation; Neuropsychological intervention.

Publication types

Review