[Ten years of the prefrontal symptoms inventory (PSI). A systematic review]

Ten years ago, Revista de Neurologia published the validation of a new free tool: the Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI), from which an abbreviated version (PSI-20) was subsequently extracted. Over this decade, authors have demonstrated its excellent psychometric properties and clinical usefulness. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement, aims to analyse the body of research that has used the PSI or PSI-20 in order to assess its relevance in other research teams, other clinical populations and even other cultures.

A search was conducted to find articles written in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese that have used the inventory to carry out empirical research. Finally, 56 articles were selected.

The results show that the PSI and the PSI-20 have been widely used in Spain as well as in other Spanish-speaking countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador or Venezuela) and employed to a moderate extent in non-Spanish-speaking countries (Belgium, Brazil, Sweden or Switzerland). The clinical populations in which they have been used range from acquired brain injury and degenerative dementias to chronic pain, fibromyalgia, addictive behaviours or personality disorders. Given their versatility, they have also been used with the general population, including prison inmates, women in rural areas, university students or to study cognitive reserve.

The PSI and PSI-20 are useful instruments for research and clinical use, and the next challenge is to validate an English version, which is currently being worked on.