Improved cognitive function in schizophrenia after one year of cognitive training and vocational services

Schizophr Res. 2007 Nov;96(1-3):156-61. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2007.07.003. Epub 2007 Jul 31.

Abstract

A year-long program of Neurocognitive Enhancement Therapy (NET) was used to remediate cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia who were participating in a vocational program. Seventy-two stable outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, recruited from an urban community mental health center were randomly assigned to a twelve-month vocational program (VOC) or NET+VOC. The vocational program had characteristics of individual placement and support (IPS) programs but also included transitional funding. NET included computer-based cognitive training exercises, a social information processing group and a work feedback group. Sixty-two participants completed a neuropsychological test battery before and after treatment. After one year of treatment, participants receiving NET+VOC had significantly greater improvements on measures of executive function and working memory than did participants in the VOC only condition. Augmenting vocational services with a multifaceted cognitive remediation program may improve cognition in participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Outpatients
  • Psychotic Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Psychotic Disorders / therapy
  • Rehabilitation, Vocational*
  • Schizophrenia / complications
  • Schizophrenia / rehabilitation*
  • Schizophrenia / therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology