Effects of cognitive restructuring training on neurocognitive functions in opioid addicts

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of cognitive restructuring training on neurocognitive functions related to the prefrontal cortex in opioid addicts and its relationship to relapse prevention. Method: Thirty opioid addicts who completed a 21-day detoxification program were randomly placed in experimental and control groups. Before and after the training, the subjects underwent urinalysis and were tested on the Addiction-Stroop Task, Iowa Gambling Task, Wisconsin Card Sorting test and Emotion Recognition Scale. Results: Decision-making and emotion recognition were improved after the training course, but no significant difference was observed in attention bias, cognitive flexibility and relapse. Conclusions: Cognitive restructuring training and improvement of some neuropsychological functions are not enough to prevent relapse, and attention bias and cognitive flexibility should be adjusted.