Desenvolvimento de protocolo psicométrico formal para detecção de espectro esquizofrênico

Abstract

The Schizophrenic spectrum is a set of neuroencephalo abnormalities that occurs at different levels and can cause delusions, hallucinations and behavioral disorders. It is difficult initial diagnosis and causes cognitive impairment. The delay in treatment causes irreversible brain damage. The methods and current diagnostic protocols are flawed in that it did not establish statistical parameters systematized for its characterization. This work aims to systematize the analysis and recognition of the schizophrenic spectrum through biostatistics evaluation of cognitive parameters. For better characterization of the schizophrenic spectrum group, other groups of human volunteers were part of the research, as these patient groups are part of the population admitted to psychiatric hospitals, all living in the same medium. So were part of the research group of volunteers from the schizophrenic spectrum, chemical dependents, dependents of alcohol, crossed dependent (chemical and alcohol) and the group of healthy. Healthy volunteers were from the external environment to the psychiatric hospital. For the valuation of the cognitive parameters, the research was based on a survey of scientific articles and academic papers published in the last two decades, which indicate certain specificities in tests characterizing the schizophrenic behavior. The method used in this work, to survey the cognitive parameters was the application of validated psychological tests. The application of methodology of psychological tests, correction and handling followed the criteria established by the Board of Psychology being performed by accredited and trained professional. A hospital multidisciplinary professional’s team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, nurses and assistants were mobilized to carry out the research in an interdisciplinary way. In the development of this work were used knowledge of statistics, biostatistics, planning and analysis of experiments, neurology, through electroencephalography and neuroanatomy, psychiatry, psychology and psychometrics, resulting in a transdisciplinary work of Biomedical Engineering. The survey results points to the differentiation of groups with characteristic scores for each of the groups in the different tests applied. The differentiation of groups by statistical scores facilitates the diagnosis of schizophrenia, opening up possibilities for patients keep the disease under control, with proper treatment, mitigating irreversible brain damage. It is necessary that replication of this research are made in larger groups for the proposed scores are more refined and better validated.