Remediating HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders via Cognitive Training: A Perspective on Neurocognitive Aging.

Over 50% of adults with HIV exhibit some form of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, ranging from mild asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment to HIV-associated dementia. As adults age with HIV and become susceptible to cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities, the prevalence and severity of such neurocognitive disorders are likely to increase. With compromised renal and hepatic functioning often accompanying HIV, pharmaceutical interventions to address such neurocognitive disorders may not be the best strategy and are not without risks. Fortunately, as noted in the geriatric literature, cognitive training strategies have been shown to improve targeted neurocognitive domains and everyday functioning. A review of some of these cognitive training strategies, especially as they relate to aging with HIV, are highlighted and explained in the context of neuroAIDS, aging, and neurocognitive reserve. Implications for practice and research are provided.

Predictors of improvement following speed of processing training in middle-aged and older adults with HIV: a pilot study.

Speed of processing training has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in normal older adults. A recent study demonstrated that middle-aged and older adults with HIV also improved on a measure of speed of processing and a measure of everyday functioning after such training. The primary objective was to examine what predicts the speed of processing training gains observed in the previous study. Participants were administered an extensive battery of demographic, psychosocial, and neuropsychological measures at baseline. They were randomized either to the speed of processing training group (n = 22) or to a no-contact control group (n = 24). Participants received approximately 10 hours of computerized speed of processing training. Predictors of training gains on the Useful Field of View (UFOV) Test and the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) Test were examined through correlational analyses. In general, those who performed worse on the UFOV and TIADL at baseline demonstrated significantly more training gains. Also, higher HIV viral load, poorer medication adherence, a higher number of years diagnosed with HIV, and lower baseline scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (an executive functioning measure) were correlated with better TIADL training gains. TIADL performance improved in those with higher HIV viral load, poorer medication adherence, and poor executive functioning. Speed of processing training may be a way to improve everyday functioning and therefore quality of life in more medically and cognitively vulnerable adults with HIV.

Prospective memory deficits are associated with unemployment in persons living with HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether deficits in prospective memory (i.e., "remembering to remember") confer an increased risk of unemployment in individuals living with chronic HIV infection. METHODS: Fifty-nine Unemployed and 49 Employed individuals with HIV infection underwent comprehensive neuropsychological and medical evaluations, including measures of prospective memory. RESULTS: The Unemployed participants demonstrated significantly lower performance on time- and event-based prospective memory, which was primarily characterized by errors of omission. Importantly, prospective memory impairment was an independent predictor of unemployment when considered alongside other neurocognitive abilities, mood disturbance, and HIV disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective memory impairment is a salient predictor of unemployment in persons living with HIV infection and might be considered in screening for unemployment risk and developing vocational rehabilitation plans.

Music therapy: a novel motivational approach for dually diagnosed patients.

Co-occurring mental illness and addiction is very common and results in worse treatment outcomes compared to singly diagnosed addicted individuals. Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders is associated with better treatment outcomes; however there is a wide range of what is included in integrated treatment. Due to patient and staff interests, integrated treatment often includes complementary and alternative therapies, including music and art therapy. There is a need to study how these approaches effect treatment engagement, retention, and outcome. This study was a prospective naturalistic non-randomized pilot study without a control group that sought to evaluate how participation in a music therapy program affected treatment outcomes for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and addiction. In summary, music therapy appears to be a novel motivational tool in a severely impaired inpatient sample of patients with co-occurring disorders. Future studies of music therapy in integrated co-occurring disorder setting should include a control group.

HIV-related brain impairment from palliative care to rehabilitation.

Brain impairment is a distressing manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment leading eventually to dementia and death. Patients with advanced brain impairment are clinically difficult to manage and usually require residential care. In 1997, a brain impairment unit opened at the Mildmay Hospital UK in London to meet the needs of this patient group. It began as a nurse-led unit, has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to care and aims to maximize the quality of life until death. In a study of patients admitted during its first year, it emerged that while the condition of many patients declined resulting in death, some patients improved sufficiently with rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment to return to independent living. The possible reasons for this are discussed in this article. Study findings have not only affected the approach to care but have also highlighted some unexpected problems; the importance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach in caring for the group of patients becomes evident.

HIV-related neurological disability and prospects for rehabilitation.

The worldwide epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to expand. Modest progress in prolonging survival has focused attention on the issue of quality of life among persons living with AIDS. Physical functional status (disability) is one of the most important determinants of quality of life. This paper outlines a conceptual approach to AIDS disability and provides new data examining the epidemiology of physical functional deficits in the population. In addition, the common neuromuscular and central neurological impairments encountered in AIDS are discussed with suggestions for potential rehabilitation interventions. The paper concludes with the author's view of the future of rehabilitation in persons with AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Neuropsychological impairment in human immunodeficiency virus-infection: implications for employment. HNRC Group. HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center.

Individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus-Type 1 (HIV-1), are at increased risk for neurobehavioral impairment, particularly in later stages of the disease. Even patients in the medically asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic stages of infection may show mild deficits on comprehensive neuropsychological (NP) test batteries, although the clinical significance of such deficits remains uncertain. The present study used vocational difficulties as markers of clinical significance of NP impairment. In a sample of 289 HIV-infected, nondemented men, those who evidenced NP impairment had a higher unemployment rate (p < .001) than did their unimpaired counterparts. In HIV-positive subjects who remained employed, NP impairment was strongly associated with subjective decreases in job-related abilities. Neither depression nor medical symptoms could explain the relationship between the NP impairment and employment problems. These results are consistent with previous studies investigating other neuropsychiatric disorders, which suggest that even mild NP impairment can interfere with employment status. From this standpoint, such impairment in HIV-infected persons may be described as "clinically significant."

The clinical management of HIV-related dementia and other memory disorders in the residential drug treatment environment.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related dementia and other memory and attention disorders are described in terms of etiology, incidence, and symptoms. Assessment for cognitive impairment includes basic screening (examples are given), or a thorough neuropsychological evaluation. Implications for treatment within the residential drug treatment environment include: (a) providing accurate information to staff and residents; (b) identifying residents' anticipatory anxiety; (c) supportive counseling of residents; (d) coaching residents in the use of coping strategies; (e) creating environmental support; and (f) frequent reassessment of treatment goals, including the appropriateness of independent living. Helpful concrete suggestions are listed.

Rehabilitation dimensions of AIDS: a review.

With the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), many rehabilitation professionals are faced with new challenges. This report covers two basic problems that are becoming common in rehabilitation practice: the management of the patient who suffers from disability resulting from HIV infection or AIDS, and the management of the traditional rehabilitation patient who may coincidentally be infected with HIV. Common manifestations of HIV infection and associated secondary infections and neoplasms are discussed, as well as are the complications of current medical treatments. This report also explores specific neurologic and musculoskeletal disorders and the fatigue associated with AIDS. In addition, potential approaches to rehabilitation management are evaluated, and consideration is given to the management of the asymptomatic HIV carrier. The differences between HIV infection in adults and children are explored, and the social implications of HIV rehabilitation are discussed. After consideration of the basic pathophysiology of infection and the modes of transmission, the significance and ethics of serologic testing are examined, and the concept of universal precautions is described. The paper concludes with a discussion of the use of safe sex practices by the disabled population.