Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Services in the United States: Brief Report from a Survey of Clinical Neuropsychologists

• Published in: Archives of clinical neuropsychology 2017-05, Vol.32 (3), p.369-374
• Main Authors: Block, Cady, Santos, Octavio A, Flores-Medina, Yvonne, Rivera Camacho, Diego Fernando, Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain Injuries, Traumatic - complications; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy; Cognitive Remediation - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Neurological Rehabilitation - statistics & numerical data; Neuropsychology - statistics & numerical data; Psychotherapy - statistics & numerical data; Stroke - complications; United States
• ISSN: 0887-6177; 1873-5843
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acx002

To provide a brief presentation of preliminary data on rehabilitation services provided by clinical neuropsychologists within the United States. This survey utilized data extracted from a larger international research study conducted in 39 countries including N = 173 professionals who reported to engage in neuropsychological rehabilitative services within the past year (63.6% female, 44.36 ± 11.83 years of age) took part in the study. Neuropsychologists providing rehabilitation services in the United States in the past year were more likely to provide individual versus group therapy, likely to employ technology (e.g., personal computers, mobile phones/smartphones) as part of treatment services, see a range of diagnostic groups most prominently traumatic brain injury and stroke/vascular conditions, and work to address a range of both cognitive (e.g., memory, attention/concentration, and executive functioning) and psychological (e.g., emotional/behavioral adjustment and well-being, awareness of disability/disease) issues. Prior published surveys suggest that clinical neuropsychologists have a growing involvement in rehabilitation services within the United States but with little clarity as to the actual characteristics of actual professional activities and practices. The present study aimed to provide such information and hopefully will be helpful in promoting additional systematic studies in this area.