Empirical research studies have highlighted the need to investigate whether video game can be useful as a tool within a neuropsychological rehabilitation program for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients. However, little is known about the possible gains that this kind of video game-based interventions can produce and even if these gains can be transferred to real life abilities. The present paper aims to uncover key information related to the use of video game in ADHD neuropsychological rehabilitation/intervention by focusing on its gains and its capability to transfer/generalize these gains to real life situation via a systematic review of the empirical literature. The PRISMA guidelines were adopted. Internet-based bibliographic searches were conducted via seven major electronic databases (i.e., PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Core Collection BIOSIS Citation Index, MEDLINE, SciELO Citation Index, and PubMed) to access studies examining the association between video game interventions in ADHD patients and behavioral and cognitive outcomes. A total of 14 empirical studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The studies reported the attention, working memory, and the behavioral aspects as the main target of the intervention. Cognitive and behavioral gains were reported after the video game training (VGT). However, many bias related to the choice of outcome instruments, sampling and blindness of assessors, weaken the results power. Additional researches are important to clarify the effects and stability of the VGT programs, and an important effort should be made to construct better methods to assess improvements on everyday cognitive abilities and real world functioning.

psicologia.v17n2p140-152. Sistema de avaliação: às cegas por pares (double blind review).

ResumoA Fobia Social (FS) define-se como medo ou ansiedade acentuados acerca de uma ou mais situações em que o indivíduo é exposto a possível avaliação por outras pessoas. Através de uma revisão sistemática sobre a FS em estudantes adolescentes, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados Scielo, LILACS e PubMed, foram analisados 427 resumos, 11 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. A FS é um transtorno altamente incapacitante e que leva a prejuízos acadêmicos significativos. Assim, educadores devem estar atentos à dificuldade na sala de aula para que possam ser criadas estratégias de ensino que envolvam esses alunos, a fim de encaminhá-los a um especialista.

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There is increasing use of technological innovations in assessment and neuropsychological rehabilitation in research and clinical practice. Thus, the purpose of this narrative review is to present what and how new technologies has been historically embedded in clinical and experimental neuropsychology, with a demonstrated academic production increased in the last 10 years. The literature presents that neuropsychological assessment highlights the use of computerized versions of instruments which traditionally are used in pencil and paper; cognitive simulations, artifi cial intelligence, and problem solving tasks. However, computerized tests are the most established technologies in this fi eld. Further, a considerable part of the studies are performed in adults and elderly people, but few validations in children. In rehabilitation, the use of new technologies is more diversifi ed, such as electronic devices and cell phones, tablet computers, video games, virtual reality, robots, and videofeedback neurofeedback, transcranial direct current stimulation, among others. In neuropsychological rehabilitation, the new technologies have facilitated the development of compensatory strategies and real-world simulations. From this review we discuss the new possibilities of technological interfaces in neuropsychology, as well the need for development and validation of computerized batteries and more dynamic and versatile rehabilitation protocols.Keywords: Neuropsychological assessment, neuropsychological rehabilitation; technologies. Novas Tecnologias na Avaliação e Reabilitação Neuropsicológica ResumoNas últimas décadas, observa-se um crescente uso de inovações tecnológicas na avaliação e reabilitação neuropsicológica em pesquisas e na prática clínica. Sendo assim, o objetivo da presente revisão narrativa é apresentar quais são e como as novas tecnologias vem sendo inseridas historicamente na neuropsicologia clínica e experimental, com um aumento da produção acadêmica evidenciada nos últimos 10 anos. A literatura evidencia que a avaliação neuropsicológica destaca o uso de versões computadorizadas de instrumentos, que tradicionalmente utilizavam o lápis e papel; simulações cognitivas; inteligência artificial; e tarefas de resolução de problemas. Contudo, a que se mostra mais consolidada é o uso de baterias de testes computadorizados. Além disso, uma parte considerável de estudos é feito com adultos e idosos, 1

The purpose of the present study was to investigate different memory systems among children of different school ages. Ninety children who attend schools within the Rio de Janeiro municipality school system, ages 6 to 10 years, were studied. The study excluded children with learning disabilities. All children underwent a neuropsychological evaluation. A two-way analysis of variance revealed significant gender differences in the free delay episodic memory. Age differences were found for the free delay episodic memory and recognition on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) as well as the recall of the Rey Figure. Semantic memory correlated with Semantic Verbal Fluency. Working Memory as measured by Digit Span subtest of the WISC correlated with the first list learning of the RAVLT. Overall, study results indicated a lower performance among 6-year-old children and gender differences in children 8 and 10 years of age. Data are consistent with the literature and show a distinction in the evolution of different memory systems throughout life.

Problem statement: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive procedure whereby a pulsed magnetic field stimulates electrical activity in the brain. Dystonia is characterized by several disabling symptoms for which effective, mechanism-based treatments remain elusive. Approach: Consequently, more advanced non-invasive therapeutic methods were required. A possible method to modulate brain activity and potentially viable for use in clinical practice was rTMS. We focus on the basic foundation of rTMS, the effects of rTMS on neuroplasticity and sensorimotor integration and the experimental advances of rTMS that may become a viable clinical application to treat dystonia. Results: The findings showed that rTMS can improve some symptoms associated with dystonia and might be useful for promoting cortical plasticity in dystonic patients. These changes were transient and it is premature to propose these applications as realistic therapeutic options, even though the rTMS technique has shown itself to be, potentially, a modulator of sensorimotor integration and neuroplasticity. Conclusion/Recommendations: Functional imaging of the region of interest could highlight the capacity of rTMS to bring about plastic changes of the cortical circuitry and hint at future novel clinical interventions. We recommend further studies to clearly determine the role of rTMS in the treatment of these conditions. Finally, we must remember that however exciting the neurobiological mechanisms might be, the clinical usefulness of rTMS will be determined by their ability to provide patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders with safe, long-lasting and substantial improvements in quality of life.

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