Personal autonomy, dependence and severe mental disorders unit

The Unit is a pioneer in the implementation of evaluations for patients with serious mental disorders and/or cognitive impairments, in a comprehensive and personalized manner.

In addition, we have a support technology that allows us to objectify parameters that were traditionally obtained subjectively. To do this, the unit practices:

• Extensive and detailed neuropsychological examinations of the clinical status.
• Neurocognitive functions and social cognition and psychosocial functioning.
• Genetic diagnosis service for the evaluation of diseases of the nervous system.
• Analysis of visual attention (TOBII).
• A comprehensive system for diagnosing physical dysfunctions. This system helps determine the extent of the disease and identify the duration of the recovery processes, guaranteeing the patient’s well-being.

The implementation of integrated programs for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of functional decline, both physical and neurocognitive, in people with severe mental disorders (SMI), and in those with a higher risk of simultaneously presenting other diseases. The multimorbidity related to neurocognitive alterations and the effects of polypharmacy is the object of study.

Clinical evaluation

An integrated service is presented, made up of three main evaluation areas:

• Neurocognitive (or non-social cognition).
• Social cognition.
• Psychosocial functioning.
• Symptoms, course, medication and multimorbidity.

Intervention programs mainly focused primarily on two strategies:

• Psychoeducation for patients and relatives.
• Training and recovery of basic and social cognitive skills.

Functional evaluation:

• Functional assessment of the musculoskeletal system.
• Assessment of the cervical spine.
• Gait assessment.
• Assessment of the lumbar spine.
• Upper limb assessment: shoulder.
• Assessment of the upper limb: joint balance.
• Assessment of the lower limbs.
• Upper limb assessment: muscle balance.

Visual attention analysis

Tobii T60 Eye Trackers enables on-screen eye tracking studies for a wide variety of research purposes. Accurate 60 Hz or 120 eye tracking, and provides reliable results in a natural testing environment.