Gender differences in cognitive Theory of Mind revealed by transcranial direct current stimulation on medial prefrontal cortex.

Gender differences in social cognition are a long discussed issue, in particular those concerning Theory of Mind (ToM), i.e., the ability to explain and predict other people's mental states.

A study of the psychological distress in family caregivers of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness during in-hospital rehabilitation.

Objectives: To study psychological distress in a sample of caregivers of patients affected by prolonged disorders of consciousness during hospital stay in the Neurorehabilitation Unit.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four caregivers of 22 patients affected by prolonged disorders of consciousness admitted to postacute rehabilitation center, completed self-reported questionnaires for assessment of depressive symptoms, state and trait anxiety, psychophysiological disturbances, prolonged grief disorder, psychological coping strategies, quality of perceived needs, perceived social support, and caregiver burden; at admission, and after four and eight months.

Results: At admission depressive symptoms were found in 20/24 caregivers, high levels of anxiety in 16, and relevant psychophysiological disturbances in 10 participants; eight caregivers (32%) met criteria for prolonged grief disorder.