Effect of non-pharmacological interventions on source memory processes in the early course of psychosis: A systematic review

Neural correlates of metacognition: Disentangling the brain circuits underlying prospective and retrospective second-order judgments through noninvasive brain stimulation

Metacognition encompasses the capability to monitor and control one's cognitive processes, with metamemory and metadecision configuring among the most studied higher order functions. Although imaging experiments evaluated the role of disparate brain regions, neural substrates of metacognitive judgments remain undetermined. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and discuss the available evidence concerning the neural bases of metacognition which has been collected by assessing the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on human subjects' metacognitive capacities. Based on such literature analysis, our goal is, at first, to verify whether prospective and retrospective second-order judgments are localized within separate brain circuits and, subsequently, to provide compelling clues useful for identifying new targets for future NIBS studies. The search was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines among PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PSYNDEX, MEDLINE, and ERIC databases. Overall, 25 studies met the eligibility criteria, yielding a total of 36 experiments employing transcranial magnetic stimulation and 16 ones making use of transcranial electrical stimulation techniques, including transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial alternating current stimulation. Importantly, we found that both perspective and retrospective judgments about both memory and perceptual decision-making performances depend on the activation of the anterior and lateral portions of the prefrontal cortex, as well as on the activity of more caudal regions such as the premotor cortex and the precuneus. Combining this evidence with results from previous imaging and lesion studies, we advance ventromedial prefrontal cortex as a promising target for future NIBS studies.

Sensory-based approaches in psychiatric care: A systematic mixed-methods review

AIMS

Sensory-based approaches, including sensory room, sensory cart and specific sensory integration programs, feature various sensory stimulations to focus on a particular space or program. This systematic mixed-methods review describes the impact of sensory-based approaches in psychiatric care and summarizes the important components of sensory interventions.

DESIGN

Systematic mixed-methods review was based on the guidelines by Pluye and Hong for comprehensively searching, appraising and synthesizing research evidence.

DATA SOURCES

Data were collected from five databases: CINAHL, Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane before March 9, 2020.

REVIEW METHODS

Qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods and original studies published in English on sensory-based approaches in psychiatric care were included. The studies were selected by screening titles, abstracts and full texts, and the quality of each study was assessed by two researchers independently. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were chosen for review. Through data integration, four subthemes with positive effects were formed: (1) calming of the patient's mood; (2) calming of the patient's body; (3) improvement of self-care ability; and (4) improvement of the nurse-patient relationship. The sensory-based approach may also lead to negative effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Several important components play important roles in the sensory-based approaches: (1) rich, culture-based, personalized sensory stimulation; (2) a quiet, safe, home-based physical environment; (3) a good one-to-one nurse-patient relationship; (4) and the cultivation of patient autonomy and self-management. Sensory-based approaches in a multicultural environment and home environment will be important topics of psychiatric care in the future.

IMPACT

There is a lack of synthesis of studies on results of sensory-based approaches in psychiatric care. Four components are important to sensory interventions. It is necessary for mental health service centres and home care for the patients with psychotic disorders to use sensory-based approaches for reference.