Journal of Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT MANUAL FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Thapanee Foomooljareon — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a neuropsychological assessment manual for clinical psychologists.

Material and Methods: This research was conducted using a research and development approach based on the 7-step technology development process outlined by the Department of Mental Health. The study was divided into two phases: Phase 1 involved needs analysis, conceptual framework development, and the design and creation of a prototype manual with volunteer participants. Phase 2 assessed the effectiveness of the manual with clinical psychologists and psychiatric patients. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with pre- and post-test measurements to evaluate knowledge gain.

Results: The developed manual consists of five chapters: 1) Introduction 2) Basic Knowledge of the Brain 3) Fundamentals of Neuropsychological Assessment 4) Neuropsychological Test, and 5) Writing Neuropsychological Test Reports. The manual demonstrated a content validity index (CVI) of 1.00. The effectiveness evaluation revealed that participants' knowledge scores after using the manual were significantly higher than before (p-value = 0.010). Additionally, 70% of participants reported the highest level of satisfaction with the manual.

Conclusion: The neuropsychological diagnostic assessment manual for clinical psychologists provides a structured and standardized approach for neuropsychological evaluations. It offers a valuable tool for clinical psychologists in the assessment of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric patients and can serve as an alternative in mental health service delivery.

PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF LITHIUM-INDUCED HYPOTHYROIDISM IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

กมลรัตน์ โสมรักษ์, Tuanthon Boonlue, ชลธิชา เทียมทัศน์, ทิชากร สุนารี — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Abstract

Objectives: To determine prevalence and management of Lithium-induced hypothyroidism.

Material and Methods: This descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of psychiatric patients at Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. The inclusion criteria were psychiatric patients over 18 years old who were using lithium and had undergone thyroid function tests. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence and management of lithium-induced hypothyroidism.

Results: Of the 146 patients studied, 12 had hypothyroidism, resulting in a prevalence rate of 8.22% among patients receiving lithium. Serum lithium concentrations were measured more than once a year in 73.28% of the patients, and thyroid function was assessed at least once a year in 59.59% of the patients on lithium. Patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism were either treated with levothyroxine or monitored for signs and symptoms while continuing lithium treatment with same or decreased dose.

Conclusion: The prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients receiving lithium was 8.22%. Patients with lithium-induced hypothyroidism are typically scheduled signs and symptoms monitoring.

DEVELOPMENT AND EFFECTIVE EVALUATION OF A MEDICATION ADHERENCE ON SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Abstract

Objectives: To develop and evaluate a program to promote adherence to medication for patients with schizophrenia.

Material and Methods: Research and development were conducted in three phases: Phase 1: Needs assessment for development; Phase 2: Research and development to develop a program prototype and assess the quality from content validity evaluation; Phase 3: Quasi-experimental research with two groups measuring before, after, and follow-up to evaluate and compare the program's results in patients with schizophrenia. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated-measure ANOVA.

Results: Phase 1: Stakeholder interviews revealed that service providers wanted to increase the coverage of activities to include relatives. Phase 2: Developing a prototype of a program to promote adherence to medication for schizophrenia patients, consisting of six 60-minute group sessions. Phase 3: A total of 100 participants (50 patients and 50 caregivers) were divide into experimental and control group, with 25 participants each. It was found that over time, the experimental group's medication adherence behavior scores in the immediate post-experiment period and the 1-month follow-up period significantly improved compared to the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The program effectively promotes medication adherence among patients with schizophrenia.

PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AT SOMDET CHAOPRAYA INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Abstract

Objectives: 1) To examine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia, 2) To explore the characteristics of cognitive impairment, and 3) To identify associated factors contributing to cognitive impairment in this population.

Material and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional included 130 outpatients with schizophrenia at Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The assessment tools consisted of 1) a demographic questionnaire, 2) the Thai version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and 3) the Vienna Test System. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyses with statistically significant level of 0.05.

Results: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 58.5%. Domain of impairment included attention, memory, executive functions, and processing speed. The significant protective factors against cognitive impairment included education level: lower or upper secondary school (adjusted OR = 0.052; 95%CI = 0.006, 0.427), and bachelor’s degree or higher (adjusted OR = 0.065; 95%CI = 0.007, 0.562). In addition, receiving trihexyphenidyl was associated with higher risk of cognitive impairment (adjusted OR = 3.097; 95%CI = 1.178, 8.140).

Conclusion: Higher education levels were protective factors against cognitive impairment, whereas the use of anticholinergic drugs was identified as a risk factor.

The trend and direction of using artificial intelligence in mental health care

nutsurang kingkhuntod — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND PSYCHIATRY DISORDERS IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY PEOPLE

kanyanat supaporn, สาธิก สุทธิวิริวรรณ, สุลี ถาวรกุล — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700