Kelly, Mary Ann
(2005)
Neuropsychological Prediction of Learning and Adherence in Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The relationship between specific aspects of cognition and adherence is examined in a group of individuals participating in the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease, an intensive lifestyle modification program. This research was guided by a hypothesis of supply and demand - the information-processing skills in highest demand for adherence may be in short supply due to how the cardiovascular disease process impacts the brain. This hypothesis was evaluated by using results of neuropsychological testing administered to participants before they began the Ornish program to predict specific learning and adherence outcomes. Hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the contribution made by neuropsychological and non-neuropsychological variables (disease, demography, amount of Ornish lifestyle knowledge at the time of program entry and self-reported emotional status, psychosocial adjustment, and quality of life) to the prediction of adherence and program-specific learning. Nine outcomes were examined including behavioral adherence (diet, exercise, group support, and stress management), in-program learning (knowledge acquisition and procedural learning), staff perceptions of participant learning, and the level of program intensity required at the end of twelve weeks (Phase II Stratification). Neuropsychological variables made the most significant and unique contributions to the majority of predictive models. Measures of working memory and executive control were strongly represented in the adherence models. Explicit verbal memory and working memory were, respectively, significant facilitators of in-program knowledge acquisition and improvements in the accuracy of food diaries. Also, working memory was an important predictor of the level of program intensity participants needed at the end of twelve weeks. In summary, most aspects of the neuropsychological supply - information-processing demand (NIP) model were supported. By carefully selecting neuropsychological measures that capture vulnerable areas of cognitive processing in individuals with cardiovascular disease, the importance of cognitive information-processing capacity to adherence and adherence-based learning is demonstrated. Moreover, the research validates previous studies showing that critical cognitive moderators of adherence and learning cannot be discerned by health care professionals delivering clinical care, even when this contact involves intensive educational interventions. Only through the administration of a broad-based neuropsychological assessment battery are these essential cognitive facilitators of learning and adherence identified.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
20 June 2005 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
17 May 2005 |
| Approval Date: |
20 June 2005 |
| Submission Date: |
15 June 2005 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Education > Psychology in Education |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Ornish Knowledge Test; Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; Four-Word Short Term Memory Test; Martin and Park Environmental Demands |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-06152005-192755/, etd-06152005-192755 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:47 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:44 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8107 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}