Premium
Effectiveness of computerized cognitive rehabilitation training on symptomatological, neuropsychological and work function in patients with schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Lee Woo Kyeong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
asia‐pacific psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1758-5872
pISSN - 1758-5864
DOI - 10.1111/appy.12070
Subject(s) - cognitive remediation therapy , cognitive rehabilitation therapy , rehabilitation , cognition , neuropsychology , psychology , trainer , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , cognitive training , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , intervention (counseling) , clinical psychology , cognitive skill , psychiatry , medicine , computer science , programming language
There has been plenty of interest in cognitive rehabilitation for schizophrenia here in K orea since the year 2000. But the efficacy studies of cognitive remediation intervention are still deficient. The primary purpose of this study was to develop a computer‐assisted cognitive remediation program and conduct a clinical trial in a group of schizophrenic patients. Methods Sixty patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to a computerized cognitive rehabilitation ( C og‐trainer) group plus usual rehabilitation ( UR ) or to a usual rehabilitation ( UR ) group only. Clinical, neuropsychological and functional outcome variables were assessed at baseline and after intervention. The C og‐trainer group received 20 sessions of computerized cognitive remediation training over 3 months. This training program consists of 10 units, with each unit being divided into three stages: (i) practice; (ii) application; and (iii) advanced. Results Compared to the UR group, the C og‐trainer exhibited a significant improvement in attention, concentration and working memory. The C og‐trainer group also showed improvement in the work quality subscale of the work behavior inventory. However, there were no significant benefits of computerized cognitive remediation where symptoms were concerned. Discussion These results indicate that computerized cognitive rehabilitation training can contribute to an improvement in the cognitive function of people with schizophrenia. The changes in cognitive outcomes can also contribute to improvement in job functioning. Further study of generalization to other functional outcome measures will be necessary. Long‐term follow‐up studies are needed to confirm the maintenance of such improvements.