Keith Laws
Keith R Laws C.Psychol, AFBPsS, FHEA FRSA is Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.
He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK.
He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Royals Society of Arts
Professor Laws is the author of more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, many book chapters and abstracts and recently a book entitled ‘Category-Specificity: Evidence for Modularity of Mind’. Additionally, his research on cognitive function in schizophrenia has received wide recognition and several awards. Several areas of Prof Laws research have generated significant public, professional and press interest(e.g. the impact of ecstasy on memory, the use of Ketamine as an anti-depressant, the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in severe mental disorder and sex differences in multitasking) .
His work has been reported widely in the national and international media (including Sunday Telegraph, Independent, Times, Guardian, Sun, Mirror, Reuters, Radio 4 Today programme, Radio 5, Radio 1).
Address: School of Life and Medical Sciences
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane Campus
Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK.
He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Royals Society of Arts
Professor Laws is the author of more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, many book chapters and abstracts and recently a book entitled ‘Category-Specificity: Evidence for Modularity of Mind’. Additionally, his research on cognitive function in schizophrenia has received wide recognition and several awards. Several areas of Prof Laws research have generated significant public, professional and press interest(e.g. the impact of ecstasy on memory, the use of Ketamine as an anti-depressant, the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in severe mental disorder and sex differences in multitasking) .
His work has been reported widely in the national and international media (including Sunday Telegraph, Independent, Times, Guardian, Sun, Mirror, Reuters, Radio 4 Today programme, Radio 5, Radio 1).
Address: School of Life and Medical Sciences
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane Campus
Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
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Books by Keith Laws
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
Chapter 2. EXAMINING SEMANTIC MEMORY: ASSESSMENT
Chapter 3. EXPLAINING CATEGORY SPECIFICTY: MODELS
Chapter 4. PSYCHOLINGUISTIC AND COGNITIVE INFLUENCES: NUISANCE VARIABLES AND CONFOUNDS
Chapter 5. DISSOCIATIONS, DOUBLE DISSOCIATIONS AND CATEGORY SPECIFICITY: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
Chapter 6. A ROLE FOR EVOLUTION OR EXPERIENCE: SEX DIFFERENCES
Chapter 7. INTACT AND IMPAIRED FUNCTION ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN: CATEGORY EFFECTS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS
Chapter 8. BIOLOGICAL CATEGORIES IN DISTRIBUTED COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS: NEURAL NETWORKS
Chapter 9. LOCALISED CATEGORIES IN THE CORTEX? FUNCTIONAL IMAGING AND LESION DATA
Papers by Keith Laws
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is conventionally considered the primary intervention for Hoarding Disorder (HD), yet various psychological interventions have recently emerged. This study, pre-registered at Prospero (CRD42023427534), aims to comprehensively assess a range of psychological interventions, including CBT, for reducing HD symptomatology.
Methods
A systematic literature search using PubMed and SCOPUS identified 41 eligible studies comprising 47 samples (N = 1343). Risk of bias for RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool, and methodological quality for all studies was evaluated using the Psychotherapy Outcome Study Methodology Rating Form (POMRF).
Results
Pre-post effects revealed a large reduction in HD symptomatology (g = −1.09), sustained at follow-up in 18 studies (g = −1.12, N = 588). Additionally, 8 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) demonstrated a substantial end-of-trial reduction in HD symptoms compared to controls (g = −0.75). Meta-regression found no moderating effects for: demographics, medication use, number of treatment sessions, or study quality. Similarly, no differences were observed between group and individual therapy, therapy with or without home visits, or CBT versus other psychological interventions.
Conclusion
This study confirms psychological therapies are effective in reducing hoarding symptoms, while indicating no superiority for CBT. Despite the benefits, symptoms often persist above the clinical cut-off for HD, highlighting the enduring clinical challenges in achieving symptomatic remission. The findings underscore the need to address methodological limitations and possible age and gender bias in future research to enhance the efficacy and inclusivity of psychological interventions for HD
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
Chapter 2. EXAMINING SEMANTIC MEMORY: ASSESSMENT
Chapter 3. EXPLAINING CATEGORY SPECIFICTY: MODELS
Chapter 4. PSYCHOLINGUISTIC AND COGNITIVE INFLUENCES: NUISANCE VARIABLES AND CONFOUNDS
Chapter 5. DISSOCIATIONS, DOUBLE DISSOCIATIONS AND CATEGORY SPECIFICITY: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
Chapter 6. A ROLE FOR EVOLUTION OR EXPERIENCE: SEX DIFFERENCES
Chapter 7. INTACT AND IMPAIRED FUNCTION ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN: CATEGORY EFFECTS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS
Chapter 8. BIOLOGICAL CATEGORIES IN DISTRIBUTED COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS: NEURAL NETWORKS
Chapter 9. LOCALISED CATEGORIES IN THE CORTEX? FUNCTIONAL IMAGING AND LESION DATA
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is conventionally considered the primary intervention for Hoarding Disorder (HD), yet various psychological interventions have recently emerged. This study, pre-registered at Prospero (CRD42023427534), aims to comprehensively assess a range of psychological interventions, including CBT, for reducing HD symptomatology.
Methods
A systematic literature search using PubMed and SCOPUS identified 41 eligible studies comprising 47 samples (N = 1343). Risk of bias for RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool, and methodological quality for all studies was evaluated using the Psychotherapy Outcome Study Methodology Rating Form (POMRF).
Results
Pre-post effects revealed a large reduction in HD symptomatology (g = −1.09), sustained at follow-up in 18 studies (g = −1.12, N = 588). Additionally, 8 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) demonstrated a substantial end-of-trial reduction in HD symptoms compared to controls (g = −0.75). Meta-regression found no moderating effects for: demographics, medication use, number of treatment sessions, or study quality. Similarly, no differences were observed between group and individual therapy, therapy with or without home visits, or CBT versus other psychological interventions.
Conclusion
This study confirms psychological therapies are effective in reducing hoarding symptoms, while indicating no superiority for CBT. Despite the benefits, symptoms often persist above the clinical cut-off for HD, highlighting the enduring clinical challenges in achieving symptomatic remission. The findings underscore the need to address methodological limitations and possible age and gender bias in future research to enhance the efficacy and inclusivity of psychological interventions for HD