Evidence of validity and reliability of the Colombian version of Addenbroke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide evidence that supports the validity and reliability of the Colombian version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) in comparison to the MMSE at assessing and finding patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Additionally, the study aims to determine the optimal cut-off scores based on the age of a population with a low education level. METHOD: This study included 314 individuals (235 participants diagnosed with MCI and 79 cognitively healthy) who live in two different rural departments (states) in Colombia. The participants were recruited for this study through community clubs for the older adults. Most of the individuals were female (236), the average age was 65.95 years of age (SD= 7.8), and the average education level was of 3.78 years (SD = 1.79). It is important to note that the sample only included people with a maximum of 6 years of schooling. RESULTS: A ROC analysis indicated that the ACE-R is more effective than the MMSE at evaluating and finding MCI individuals within the three groups. The cut-off points for the Under 60 years of age group was 83.50 (sensitivity 0.880% and specificity 0.632%); 61-69 years of age 80.50 (sensitivity 0.714% and specificity 0.677%); and Over 70 years of age was 79.50 (sensitivity 0.750% and specificity 0.659%). The internal consistency analysis with MacDonald's Ω determined reliability indicators ≥70 in the ACE-R, except for the age range of 61 to 69 years. CONCLUSION: The Colombian version of the ACE-R demonstrates to be a valid and reliable global cognitive screening tool. It is effective at discerning MCI individuals from healthy within a group of participants with a low education level.

Parental Perception of Remote Education in Pandemic: An Analysis Based on Children's Cognitive Performance.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed patterns of human interaction, including in the educational sector, which was forced to transform relationships among students, families, and the academic community. The present study sought to establish the interrelationships between performance on cognitive tests during the preschool stage and the perceptions of parents about remote education in school children during the pandemic. The study included 100 preschool children from socially vulnerable sectors who underwent remote and distance learning in 2020 and 2021. The reliability of the applied questionnaire was determined through a confirmatory factor analysis. A structural equation model was constructed to determine the perceptions of parents about remote education based on cognitive performance during the preschool stage. The model fit yielded favorable results for predictive variables (χ2 = 7.734, DF = 9 [p = 0.561], the comparative goodness-of-fit index [CFI] = 1.000, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.000, standardized mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.069), and executive function (χ2 = 3.711, DF = 5 [p > 0.592], CFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.000, SRMR = 0.039) as latent variables that affected parents' perceptions. These results indicate that parents' perceptions of remote education are mediated by predictive aspects of learning and executive function during the preschool stage.

Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Southern Regions of Colombia.

Background: Recent reports suggest that by 2050 there will be an increase of around 310% of cases affected by dementia in Latin American countries. A previous study in a Southern region reported one of the highest prevalences of dementia in Latin America. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment associated with low education, rurality, and demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited a community-dwelling sample of 823 adults from rural and urban areas of two Southern provinces of Colombia from 2020-2022. Participants were assessed with a neuropsychological protocol validated in Colombia. To obtain general and region-specific prevalence rates, age, sex, schooling, and socioeconomic level were considered and controlled for. Results: Most of the participants reported low education and socioeconomic level, the participation of women was higher. It was determined that the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was 53.6%, with 56.6% in the province of Caquetá followed by 51.9% in the province of Huila. The amnestic MCI represented 42.6%, the amnestic multi-domain was 39%, the non-amnestic 16.55%, and the non-amnestic multi-domain 1.81%. Our participants reported comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. We also observed a relationship between exposure to pesticides and MCI. Conclusions: We observed one of the highest prevalences of MCI in Latin America reported to date. Variables such as age, gender, and education proved risk factors for MCI in the explored regions. Our findings are very much in line with recent studies that highlight the influence of non-canonical risk factors of dementia in underrepresented countries from Latin America.

Emotional processing in bullying: an event-related potential study.

Bullying is a subtype of violence that leads to maladaptive behaviors and emotional responses, with implications for social competence, emotions, and empathy. The present study compared the time course of emotional processing in children who were involved in the dynamics of bullying (i.e., as victims, bullies, and observers) by evaluating event-related potentials [early posterior negativity and late positive potential (LPP)] in different brain regions during a passive visualization task that involved positive, neutral, and negative social pictures. High-density electroencephalograms were recorded in 45 children, 8-12 years old (M = 9.5 years, SD = 1.3), while they observed emotional and neutral social pictures that we selected from the International Affective Picture System. Late positive potential had higher amplitudes in the victim group, especially in posterior and anterior regions. In the central region, LPP was greater toward neutral social pictures in bullying victims. The greater amplitude of LPP in victims was observed during and after the stimulus. The results showed a consistent response with a higher intensity in response to emotional stimuli in the victim group, suggesting a tendency toward hypervigilance that could interfere with emotional regulation.

An Overview of Psychological Interventions on Breast Cancer Patients: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: Psychological morbidities are common in breast cancer patients. Clinical conditions like depression, cognitive alterations, anxiety, distress, fear of cancer, sleep disorders, and fatigue may persist in cancer survivors. Therefore, psychological interventions are an essential treatment for breast cancer. Objective: To identify psychological interventions and psychological outcomes for women with breast cancer. Methods: Five databases were searched: EMBASE, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE (Ovid), CENTRAL (Ovid) y PsycINFO (APA PsyNET), from Jan 2014 to Jun 4th, 2018. Two authors reviewed all title articles and abstracts in databases and selected potentially eligible studies. A narrative synthesis of results was used due to the heterogeneity in randomized controlled trials, population characteristics, psychotherapies applied, outcomes, and timing of assessments. Results: This overview included 14 randomized controlled trials which comprise 1914 participants (included non-metastatic and metastatic), across 21 articles. The most common psychological interventions were cognitive-behavioral based. The principal psychological outcomes assessed were depression, quality of life, fatigue, and anxiety. Conclusion: Results from this review are useful to clarify an overview of intervention in psychological morbidities in breast cancer. Comorbidities vary, contribute costs to patients, and there is insufficient empirical evidence about psychotherapies to resolve all psychological morbidities in breast cancer patients.

Introducción: Las morbilidades psicológicas son comunes en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Condiciones clínicas como depresión, alteraciones cognitivas, ansiedad, angustia, miedo al cáncer, trastornos del sueño y fatiga pueden persistir en sobrevivientes de cáncer. Por ello, las intervenciones psicológicas son relevantes durante el tratamiento en el cáncer de mama. Objetivo: Identificar intervenciones y resultados psicológicos para mujeres con cáncer de mama. Métodos: Se buscaron en cinco bases de datos: EMBASE, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE (Ovid), CENTRAL (Ovid) y PsycINFO (APA PsyNET), de enero de 2014 al 4 de junio de 2018. Dos autores revisaron todos los artículos en bases de datos y seleccionaron estudios potencialmente elegibles. Se utilizó una síntesis narrativa de los resultados debido a la heterogeneidad en ensayos controlados aleatorios, características de la población, psicoterapias aplicadas, resultados y tiempo de las evaluaciones. Resultados: Este resumen incluyó 14 ensayos controlados aleatorios que comprometen a 1914 participantes (incluidos no metastásicos y metastásicos) en 21 artículos. Las intervenciones psicológicas más comunes fueron basadas en el comportamiento cognitivo. Los principales resultados psicológicos evaluados fueron la depresión, la calidad de vida, la fatiga y la ansiedad. Conclusión: Los resultados de esta revisión son útiles para aclarar una visión general de la intervención en morbilidades psicológicas en el cáncer de mama. Las comorbilidades varían, contribuyen con costos a los pacientes y no hay suficiente evidencia empírica sobre psicoterapias para resolver todas las morbilidades psicológicas en la mujer con cáncer de mama.

La depresión y su relación con el deterioro cognitivo leve y la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Un estudio de revisión sistemática / Depression and its relationship with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease: A review study

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar si la depresión antecede al deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) como factor de riesgo o como predictor en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). Se realizó una revisión sistemática de estudios observacionales (transversales y de cohorte o seguimiento) mediante el algoritmo de búsqueda PRISMA, de los marcadores clínicos en DCL y EA, en las bases de datos Science Direct, Springer, Scopus y Proquest. Los criterios de elegibilidad del estudio incluyeron como criterios inclusión: tipos de documentos, artículos de estudios primarios; tipo de fuente, revistas científicas, en idioma inglés, desde enero de 2010 hasta abril de 2020, en pacientes con DCL y EA y en el grupo de edad comprendido en personas con un rango de edad mínimo de 45años. Los criterios de exclusión fueron: las publicaciones de más de 10años (el objetivo del artículo era explorar estudios recientes), estudios de investigación secundaria, tipo de documento de informe, otros idiomas diferentes al inglés. Se identificaron 3.385 artículos, de los que finalmente se seleccionaron 30 artículos. Se encontró que existe una asociación entre la depresión y la EA, pero propiamente como un factor de riesgo, mas no como un predictor o marcador clínico del desarrollo de la EA. El grado de asociación es mayor cuando presentan sintomatología depresiva y simultáneamente reportan quejas de memoria subjetiva o la presencia de DCL. (AU)

The objective of the present study was to determine whether depression precedes Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a risk factor or as a predictor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A systematic review of observational studies (cross-sectional and cohort or follow-up) was carried out using the PRISMA search algorithm, for clinical markers in MCI and AD, in the Science Direct, Springer, Scopus and Proquest databases. The study eligibility criteria included inclusion criteria: of types of documents, articles of primary studies, type of source scientific journals, published in the English language, from January 2010 to April 2020, in patients with MCI and AD and in the group of age included in people with a minimum age range of 45years. Exclusion criteria were: publications older than 10years because the aim of the article was to explore recent studies, secondary research studies, type of report document, languages other than English. 3385 articles were identified, of which 30 articles were finally selected. It was found that there is an association between depression and AD, but properly as a risk factor but not, as a predictor or clinical marker of the development of AD. The degree of association is greater when they present depressive symptoms and simultaneously report subjective memory complaints or the presence of MCI. (AU)

[Depression and its relationship with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease: A review study]. / La depresión y su relación con el deterioro cognitivo leve y la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Un estudio de revisión sistemática.

The objective of the present study was to determine whether depression precedes Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a risk factor or as a predictor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A systematic review of observational studies (cross-sectional and cohort or follow-up) was carried out using the PRISMA search algorithm, for clinical markers in MCI and AD, in the Science Direct, Springer, Scopus and Proquest databases. The study eligibility criteria included inclusion criteria: of types of documents, articles of primary studies, type of source scientific journals, published in the English language, from January 2010 to April 2020, in patients with MCI and AD and in the group of age included in people with a minimum age range of 45years. Exclusion criteria were: publications older than 10years because the aim of the article was to explore recent studies, secondary research studies, type of report document, languages other than English. 3385 articles were identified, of which 30 articles were finally selected. It was found that there is an association between depression and AD, but properly as a risk factor but not, as a predictor or clinical marker of the development of AD. The degree of association is greater when they present depressive symptoms and simultaneously report subjective memory complaints or the presence of MCI.

Procesos cognitivos en trombosis de seno longitudinal superior: reporte de caso / Cognitive processes in superior longitudinal sinus thrombosis: case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: la trombosis de seno longitudinal superior es una enfermedad de difícil detección a causa de sus diferentes causas y debido al polimorfismo de sus manifestaciones neurológicas; además es común en el sexo femenino relacionado a los estímulos estrogénicos y otros factores hormonales, pero poco probable en menor de 40 años. PACIENTE: paciente menor de 40 años posterior a presentar dos episodios de accidentes cerebrovasculares isquémicos, se evalúa un año después de la lesión el estado cognitivo y funcional mediante la batería Neuropsi Atención y Memoria y el Inventario de Adaptabilidad Mayo-Portland; los procesos cognitivos afectados en un nivel de clasificación leve fueron la atención y concentración, el funcionamiento ejecutivo; en el estado funcional reportado por el cónyuge sugiere afectación de síntomas clínicos como irritabilidad, ira agresividad, dolores de cabeza, cansancio y reacciones a síntomas menores e interacción inadecuada, estos síntomas no fueron reportados por la paciente sugiriendo posible anosognosia en su proceso de adaptabilidad CONCLUSIÓN: Tras un proceso de lesión cerebral por afectación trombótica, las secuelas cognitivos y funcionales permanecen posterior a la recuperación espontanea, llevando a emplear procesos de rehabilitación.

INTRODUCTION: the superior longitudinal sinus thrombosis is a disease difficult to detect because of its different causes and because of the polymorphism of its neurological manifestations; It is also common in females related to estrogen stimuli and other hormonal factors, but unlikely in younger than 40 years. PATIENT: a patient younger than 40 years after having two episodes of ischemic strokes, cognitive and functional status is assessed one year after the injury using the neuropsi battery attention and memory and the mayo-portland adaptability inventory; Cognitive processes affected at a slight level of classification were attention and concentration, executive functioning; In the functional status reported by the spouse suggests involvement of clinical symptoms such as irritability, anger, aggression, headaches, fatigue and reactions to minor symptoms and inadequate interaction, these symptoms were not reported by the patient suggesting possible anosognosia in her process of adaptability CONCLUSIÓN: After a process of brain injury due to thrombotic involvement, the cognitive and functional sequelae remain after spontaneous recovery, suggesting the import of rehabilitation processes.

Desempeño de la cognición social en niños y niñas inmersos en la dinámica del acoso escolar en la ciudad de Neiva, Colombia / Performance of social cognition in boys and girls immersed in the dynamics of bullying in the city of Neiva, Huila (Colombia)

Resumen La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo comparar el desempeño en ejecución de las pruebas de cognición social en los perfiles de niños y niñas vinculados al acoso escolar en una institución educativa pública de la ciudad de Neiva. Con un diseño de tipo transversal y a través de un muestreo no probabilístico de tipo intencional, se evaluaron 103 estudiantes de básica primaria, seleccionados de acuerdo con los criterios de elegibilidad. Los resultados mostraron una mayor frecuencia de niños que se identificaron como observadores-víctimas y un desempeño inferior en las pruebas de faux pas (metida de pata), historias extrañas de Happé y test de miradas en la comparación por perfiles de acoso escolar y la edad. Los resultados sugieren profundizar en estudios que relacionen la convivencia escolar y el desarrollo de la cognición social con las características sociodemográficas y culturales en la población estudiada.

Abstract The objective of this research was to compare the performance of social cognition tests in the profiles of boys and girls linked to bullying in a public educational institution in the city of Neiva. With a cross-type design and through a non-probabilistic sampling of intentional type, 103 primary school students selected according to the eligibility criteria were evaluated. The results showed a higher frequency of children who identified themselves as observers-victims and a lower performance in faux pas-boobs, strange stories by Happé and a comparison test by profiles of bullying and age. The results suggest deepening studies that relate school life and the development of social cognition with sociodemographic and cultural characteristics in the population studied.

Característica Neuroendocrinas del trauma temprano y su relación con el bullying / Neuroendocrine characteristics of early trauma and its relation to bullying

Resumen El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar el sustento teórico de los mecanismos neurobiológicos y neuroendocrinos que se desarrollan con el trauma temprano, los cuales pueden ser generadores de vulnerabilidad cognitiva y emocional en los sujetos expuestos a ambientes con características de maltrato infantil; por otro lado, se pretende identificar la relación existente entre la vulnerabilidad temprana expresada cognitiva y afectivamente con las relaciones concernientes a perfiles de niños víctimas de acoso escolar en la primera infancia y proponer un esquema explicativo para el desarrollo de perfiles de vulnerabilidad o resiliencia a partir del rol que cumple la escuela como factor protector para la modificación de la expresión de los genes en los niños, niñas y adolescentes en condiciones de vulnerabilidad.

Abstract The aim of this article is to review the theoretical basis of neurobiological and neuroendocrine mechanisms that develop early trauma, which can be generators cognitive and emotional vulnerability in subjects exposed to environments with characteristics of child abuse; furthermore, it seeks to identify the relationship between early vulnerability cognitive expressed and affectively with relationships concerning profiles of child victims of bullying in early childhood and propose an explanatory framework for the development of profiles of vulnerability or resilience from the role that school as a protective factor for modifying the expression of genes in children and adolescents in vulnerable conditions.

Toma de decisiones en menores con factores de riesgo para el Trastorno Disocial de la Conducta / Decision making in minors with risk factor of dissocial behavior disorder

Introducción. Existe la hipótesis de que las emociones participan del proceso cognitivo de la toma de decisiones guiando la conducta y dotando a la experiencia de una cualidad positiva o negativa que permite la adaptación del individuo al medio social. Método: La muestra estuvo conformada por 81 menores de edad (48 que cumplían con uno o dos criterios del DSM-IV y 33 sin alteraciones de comportamiento). Se utilizó la Escala Muldimensional de la Conducta, el SNAP IV y el Check list para TDC como instrumentos de tamizaje para su selección, posteriormente se realizó la evaluación con la versión computarizada de la IGT (Iowa Gambling Task). Resultados: Se dan diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo estudio y de comparación para la selección de las barajas desventajosas B durante la ejecución de la tarea. Los menores en riesgo presentaron un desempeño menor para la prueba general de toma de decisiones. Discusión: Los resultados indican la presencia de alteraciones en los procesos de toma de decisiones de los menores que presentan uno o dos criterios clínicos para desarrollar el TDC.

Introduction: There is a hypothesis that proposes that emotions take part in the cognitive process related to decision-making behavior; such processes provide experience of a positive or negative quality that allows the adaptation of a human being to a social background. Methods: There were 81 minors participants (48 qualified with one or two standards of DSM-IV and 33 without conduct disorders). We used Multidimensional Scale of Conduct, SNAP IV, and checklist for CD as screening instruments for its selection, and later we performed the assessment with the online version of IGT (Iowa Gambling Task). Results: A statistically significant difference was present between study and control groups in the selection of unfavorable decks of cards. Those children affected by behavioral disorders presented lower results in the general decision-making test. Conclusions: Results suggest the presence of disorders in decision-making in minors that present one or two clinical criteria to develop CD. This could be due to difficulties in contingency processing for unfavorable decisions, which prevented them from generating somatic states based on the possible future consequences.

Resultados de un programa de rehabilitación neurocognitiva en pacientes con secuelas de trauma craneoencefálico / Results from a neurocognitive rehab program on patients with sequelae of traumatic brain injury

Introducción: Los procesos de rehabilitación neurocognitiva se ven afectados por la ineficiencia en el seguimiento posterior a la hospitalización, desde una perspectiva de intervención multidisciplinar en la rehabilitación se considera la mejoría de las secuelas que afectan las condiciones cognitivas, emocionales, conductuales, sociales y vocacionales del paciente. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de un programa de rehabilitación neurocognitiva en los procesos de atención, memoria y función ejecutiva en pacientes con secuelas por TEC. Métodos: El programa de rehabilitación neurocognitiva se clasificó de acuerdo al proceso cognitivo objeto de intervención: (orientación, atención, memoria, funciones ejecutivas, lenguaje, aspectos comportamentales y emocionales) y se desarrolló en 60 sesiones individuales y 10 grupales durante un período de 5 meses. Resultados: En función de las puntuaciones del Neuropsi los pacientes del grupo estudio mostraron mejor desempeño, observándose diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en los procesos de memoria (p = 0,018) y atención y funciones ejecutivas (p = 0,028). Conclusiones: Dada las características preliminares del estudio se precisa que los cambios observados en la cognición, especialmente en el proceso atencional de los pacientes podrían estar relacionados a la implementación del programa neurocognitivo.

Introduction: Neurocognitive rehabilitation have been affected by careless monitoring provided after hospitalization. Following a multidisciplinary intervention during rehab, some improvement is expected with regards complications affecting a patient’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral, social and vocational circumstances. Objective: To assess the effect of a rehabilitation program neurocognitive processes attention, memory and executive function in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: This would be measure through a neurocognitive rehabilitation program demonstrated with results based on the memory function and attention span. This neurocognitive rehabilitation program is design to highlight the cognitive process that act as an object ofintervention: (guidance/orientation, attention, memory, executive functions, languages, behavioral manners and affective) and it was developed through 60 individual sessions and 10 collective sessions over 5 months. Results: In the results provided by the NEUROPSI test, patients from the study group showed a better performance, and significant differences were observed in memory process, attention span (p = 0,0018) and executive function (p = 0,028). Conclusions: Given thepreliminaryfindings from the study, we suggest that changes in cognition during a patient’s attention span could be linked to the implementation of this neurocognitive program.

[Effects of a 'theory of mind' cognitive development pilot programme in three children with autism: emotional component]. / Efectos de un programa piloto de desarrollo cognitivo 'teoria de la mente' en tres niños con autismo: componente emocional.

INTRODUCTION: Theory of mind is defined as the capacity to predict, understand and act when faced with other people's behaviour, their knowledge, their intentions, their emotions and their beliefs. It is proposed as a feasible alternative for establishing a programme adapted to the characteristics of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. CASE REPORTS: The effect of a 'theory of mind' cognitive development pilot programme on the emotional skills of three children with autism spectrum disorder is reported. Case 1: 9-year-old boy, with scarce emotional identification and expression, as well as difficulties to hold fluent and coherent conversations. Case 2: 10-year-old boy, with mechanical, not very fluent language, and difficulties to start and maintain a conversation. Case 3: 8-year-old girl who presents deficits in the non-verbal communicative behaviours used in social interaction and difficulties to adapt to situations other than everyday ones. In the three cases there is an improvement in the emotional capacities following implementation of the programme; moreover, their parents, teachers or therapists perceived positive changes in the children's adaptive skills. CONCLUSIONS: The methodological and structural aspects of the cognitive development programme were well-suited to the children with autism who took part in the research study. Due to the preliminary nature of this study, it is suggested that future research should utilise a larger sample and a double-blind design with randomised case-controls that allow the findings to be generalised.

TITLE: Efectos de un programa piloto de desarrollo cognitivo 'teoria de la mente' en tres niños con autismo: componente emocional.Introduccion. La teoria de la mente se define como la capacidad para predecir, comprender y actuar frente a la conducta de otras personas, sus conocimientos, sus intenciones, sus emociones y sus creencias. Se plantea como una alternativa viable para establecer un programa adaptado a las caracteristicas de los niños diagnosticados con trastorno del espectro autista. Casos clinicos. Se describe el efecto de un programa piloto de desarrollo cognitivo 'teoria de la mente' en las habilidades emocionales de tres niños con trastorno del espectro autista. Caso 1: niño de 9 años, con escasa identificacion y expresion emocional, asi como dificultades para mantener conversaciones fluidas y coherentes. Caso 2: niño de 10 años, con lenguaje mecanico, poco fluido, y dificultades para iniciar y mantener una conversacion. Caso 3: niña de 8 años que presenta deficits en las conductas comunicativas no verbales usadas en la interaccion social y dificultades para adaptarse a situaciones no cotidianas. En los tres casos se presenta mejoria de las capacidades emocionales posterior a la implementacion del programa; ademas, los padres, docentes o terapeutas percibieron cambios positivos en las habilidades adaptativas de los niños. Conclusiones. Los aspectos metodologicos y estructurales del programa de desarrollo cognitivo fueron adecuados para los niños con autismo participantes de la investigacion. Debido al caracter preliminar del estudio, se sugiere para futuras investigaciones una muestra mayor y un diseño doble ciego con aleatorizacion caso/control que permitan la generalizacion de los resultados.

Efectos de un programa piloto de desarrollo cognitivo ‘teoría de la mente’ en tres niños con autismo: componente emocional / Effects of a ‘theory of mind’ cognitive development pilot programme in three children with autism: emotional component

Introducción. La teoría de la mente se define como la capacidad para predecir, comprender y actuar frente a la conducta de otras personas, sus conocimientos, sus intenciones, sus emociones y sus creencias. Se plantea como una alternativa viable para establecer un programa adaptado a las características de los niños diagnosticados con trastorno del espectro autista. Casos clínicos. Se describe el efecto de un programa piloto de desarrollo cognitivo ‘teoría de la mente’ en las habilidades emocionales de tres niños con trastorno del espectro autista. Caso 1: niño de 9 años, con escasa identificación y expresión emocional, así como dificultades para mantener conversaciones fluidas y coherentes. Caso 2: niño de 10 años, con lenguaje mecánico, poco fluido, y dificultades para iniciar y mantener una conversación. Caso 3: niña de 8 años que presenta déficits en las conductas comunicativas no verbales usadas en la interacción social y dificultades para adaptarse a situaciones no cotidianas. En los tres casos se presenta mejoría de las capacidades emocionales posterior a la implementación del programa; además, los padres, docentes o terapeutas percibieron cambios positivos en las habilidades adaptativas de los niños. Conclusiones. Los aspectos metodológicos y estructurales del programa de desarrollo cognitivo fueron adecuados para los niños con autismo participantes de la investigación. Debido al carácter preliminar del estudio, se sugiere para futuras investigaciones una muestra mayor y un diseño doble ciego con aleatorización caso/control que permitan la generalización de los resultados (AU)

Introduction. Theory of mind is defined as the capacity to predict, understand and act when faced with other people’s behaviour, their knowledge, their intentions, their emotions and their beliefs. It is proposed as a feasible alternative for establishing a programme adapted to the characteristics of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Case reports. The effect of a ‘theory of mind’ cognitive development pilot programme on the emotional skills of three children with autism spectrum disorder is reported. Case 1: 9-year-old boy, with scarce emotional identification and expression, as well as difficulties to hold fluent and coherent conversations. Case 2: 10-year-old boy, with mechanical, not very fluent language, and difficulties to start and maintain a conversation. Case 3: 8-year-old girl who presents deficits in the non-verbal communicative behaviours used in social interaction and difficulties to adapt to situations other than everyday ones. In the three cases there is an improvement in the emotional capacities following implementation of the programme; moreover, their parents, teachers or therapists perceived positive changes in the children’s adaptive skills. Conclusions. The methodological and structural aspects of the cognitive development programme were well-suited to the children with autism who took part in the research study. Due to the preliminary nature of this study, it is suggested that future research should utilise a larger sample and a double-blind design with randomised case-controls that allow the findings to be generalised (AU)