Recently, there has been increased interest in applying positive psychology to cognitive, emotional, and physical health. Positive psychology is a developed branch of psychology that focuses on positive behaviors such as gratitude, authenticity, and hopefulness and their impact on behavioral and psychological wellness. In a related vein, recent work has indicated that research in neuropsychology is increasingly focused on factors associated with cognitive health and overall wellness (Randolph, Citation2015). Some basic findings include that both cognitive and emotional strategies can promote health, and that changes in nutrition, exercise and sleep hygiene can mitigate cognitive challenges. Positive neuropsychology has been defined as “a practice and academic orientation focused on the study and promotion of cognitive health” (Randolph, Citation2013, Citation2015). The clinical implications of positive neuropsychology are that rather than solely focusing on deficits, disorders, and diagnoses, future neuropsychological research and service delivery might focus on methods, treatments and procedures for improving the cognitive, emotional and physical health of both injured and nonbrain-injured individuals. This would facilitate optimum peak performance, anti-aging, and longevity based practices throughout the lifespan.
One example would be the practice of Mindfulness, which has been the subject of neuroscience research (Davidson et al., Citation2003). Mindfulness meditation has been described as purposeful, nonjudgmental, and nonreactive attention to experiences in the present moment (Farb et al., Citation2007). Neuroscience research on mindfulness meditation has shown there is a difference in neural activity and regional grey matter density in participants who practice mindfulness meditation compared to those who do not (Holzel et al., Citation2011). It has been demonstrated that mindfulness meditation can promote neuroplasticity (Davidson, Citation2002), an important neuromodulation factor in our contemporary understanding of brain integrity. However, it must be admitted that much additional empirical neuropsychological research is needed to study the positive benefits of mindfulness (Fox et al., Citation2014). Nonetheless, the suggestion is that neuropsychologists should study the value of such brain based treatments and programs designed to promote peak performance, and the cognitive, emotional, and physical health of the general population. This would clearly be a paradigm shift, but at the same time there may be considerable value to society of such a change in focus in the field of neuropsychology.
Declaration of interest
Dr. Pimental discloses that she is the author and developer of the practice based models of Peak Performance Neuropsychology (PPN)sm, BESTsm, and BRAIN SMARTsm WELLNESS PROGRAMS.
References
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- Randolph, J. J. (2013). What is positive neuropsychology?. In J. J. Randolph (Ed.), Positive neuropsychology: Evidence-based perspectives on promoting cognitive health (pp. 1–11). New York, NY: Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
- Randolph, J. J. (2015). Positive neuropsychology: A framework for cognitive health. NAN Bulletin, 29(2), 25–26.