Brief Project Summary
Investigators
Cognitive impairment is a significant risk factor for alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment dropout (Borernson et al, 2013). A meta-analysis of the neuropsychological effects of methamphetamine dependence generally revealed medium effect sizes in cognitive function (Scott et al, 2007).
Our team have led the development of the AOD Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) Project. This is a world leading, multifaceted project developed for people with substance use disorder. It provides resources for AOD treatment staff to screen for and support clients with cognitive impairment. It includes cognitive remediation groups specifically developed for people attending AOD treatment.
https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/ace-program
The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI), funded a comprehensive evaluation of the ACE Cognitive Remediation Groups. This was conducted across ten residential AOD treatment settings (N=526; Nardo et al., 2019). It demonstrated:
- Significant improvement in functional cognitive abilities as measured by BRIEF-A. Reduced rate of cognitive impairment for those completing the program (53% to 27%).
- Significant improvement in AOD treatment program completion levels (from 34% to 63%; Nardo, et al in preparation)
The ACE Cognitive Remediation Groups are likely to be of value for people attending community outpatient settings for methamphetamine use. The aim of the proposed project is to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the cognitive NCCRED Seed funding round 4 application remediation groups for people accessing methamphetamine treatment through the ISLHD Illawarra outpatient drug and alcohol services.
A major strength of the proposed project is that it is highly translatable. The project is being conducted in close collaboration with clinicians and management within the ISLHD. It also builds on existing resources developed in collaboration with the ACI. Should the intervention prove to be feasible, it will be easy to scale up for wider dissemination.
All study findings will be widely disseminated. This will involve promoting the findings through a range of mechanisms including ACE Program website (managed by the ACI AOD Network), NADA, QIT, conference presentations and publications in peer reviewed journals to inform the sector of key learnings.
A/Prof Peter Kelly, Principle Investigator
University of Wollongong, School of Psychology
Dr Jamie Berry, Cheif Investigator
Advanced Neuropsychological Treatment Services, Macquarie University
Ms Sarah Adams, Co-Investigator
Drug and Alcohol Service, ISLHD
A/Prof Vida Bliokas, Co-Investigator
University of Wollongong, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
Dr Siyu Qian, Co-Investigator
Drug and Alcohol Service, ISLHD
Ms Joanne Lunn, Study Coordinator
University of Wollongong, School of Psychology
