Abstract
Aim: We examined the efficacy and effectiveness (transfer to functional competence and everyday functioning) of cognitive remediation in early-course (within 5years of first episode) and long-term (more than 15years of illness) schizophrenia. Methods: Treatment lasted 12 weeks and included computerized exercises, strategic monitoring and methods to transfer cognition to behaviour. Assessments included a standard battery of neurocognition, performance-based measures of social and adaptive competence, and case manager ratings of real-world functional behaviour. Changes from baseline to post-treatment were examined with repeated measures analysis of variance and estimated premorbid intelligence and total months in hospital as covariates. Results: The early-course group had larger improvements in measures of processing speed and executive functions, as well as larger improvements in adaptive competence and real-world work skills. Duration of illness was inversely associated with improvement in neurocognition and real-world work skills. Conclusions: Treatment of cognitive impairments is feasible in both early-course and chronic schizophrenia, but the clinical meaningfulness and generalization to functioning appear to be more substantial when delivered early. Cognitive remediation should be considered a tool for early intervention in schizophrenia.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 32-38 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Early Intervention in Psychiatry |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2014 |
Keywords
- Cognition
- Cognitive remediation
- First-episode
- Functioning
- Schizophrenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Phychiatric Mental Health
- Biological Psychiatry