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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Impaired cognitive functioning in stress-induced exhaustion disorder: a new tablet-based assessment

Authors: Aniko Bartfai, Marie Åsberg, Aniella Beser, Kimmo Sorjonen, Alexander Wilczek, Siegbert Warkentin

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The adverse health effects of stress induced exhaustion disorder (SED) cause increasing concern in Western societies. This disorder is characterized by severe fatigue, decreased tolerance to further stress, and attention and memory lapses. Despite subjective complaints, individual cognitive deficits are not always detected in a clinical setting, which calls for the validation of more sensitive instruments.

Aim

The objective of this study was to investigate if a short, tablet-based serial naming task, MapCog Spectra (MCS) could be used as a marker for cognitive problems in SED.

Participants

The study comprised of 39 subjects (35 females, four males) with SED. Their mean age was 46,8 years (SD 10.1; range 30–60 yrs.). All participants were healthcare professionals, with a college or university degree, doctors, registered nurses, and psychologists.

Methods

The MCS was used to assess the number of aberrant pauses during serial naming of coloured geometrical shapes. The Coding, Matrix Reasoning, Digit Span, Symbol Search of the WAIS-IV, and RUFF 2&7 tests, were administered together with a short interview.

Results

Mean values were within normal reference limits for all tests, except for the MCS, which showed a significantly higher number of aberrant pauses (p < 0,001) in the SED group, compared to normal reference values. Although subjects performed within normal limits on the RUFF 2&7, a significant difference between individuals was found in the performance strategy of the participants.

Conclusion

Here we report that subjects with SED have performance deficits on the MCS, in terms of aberrant pause times, despite average performance on WAIS-IV tests measuring inductive reasoning, processing speed, working memory, and attention. We also demonstrate that subjects use different strategies to overcome their problems. These findings add to the growing evidence of cognitive deficits in SED and that the MCS might aid neuropsychologists in disentangling cognitive markers, important to substantiate the subjective complaints of affected individuals.

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Title: Impaired cognitive functioning in stress-induced exhaustion disorder: a new tablet-based assessment
Authors: Aniko Bartfai
Marie Åsberg
Aniella Beser
Kimmo Sorjonen
Alexander Wilczek
Siegbert Warkentin
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03454-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Impaired cognitive functioning in stress-induced exhaustion disorder: a new tablet-based assessment

Abstract

Background

Aim

Participants

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Aim

Participants

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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