[Impact of a new cognitive remediation strategy on interpersonal problem solving skills and social autonomy in schizophrenia].
BACKGROUND
Despite recent developments, the impact of pharmacotherapy on social autonomy and interpersonal problem solving skills in patients with schizophrenia remains limited, with consequences in terms of socio-professional functioning. Indeed, independently of the positive, negative and/or disorganization symptoms, functional deficits in patients with schizophrenia rely mainly on various cognitive impairments.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of a new Cognitive Remediation Strategy on interpersonal problem solving skills, social autonomy and symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Thirty patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in a program consisting of 14 training sessions of 4 cognitive functions (attention/concentration, topological memory, logical reasoning, executive functions) using the REHACOM software. Measurements of attention (Continuous Performance Test, CPT), memory (Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, RBMT) and executive functions (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST) as well as interpersonal problem solving skills (Assessment of Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills, AIPSS) and social autonomy (Social Autonomy Scale, EAS) and finally schizophrenia symptoms (Positive And Negative Syndrom Scale, PANSS) were undertaken at the beginning and the end of the 14 remediation meetings.


RESULTS
Cognitive functions, interpersonal problems solving skills, social autonomy and symptoms were significantly improved by the Cognitive Remediation Strategy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm the therapeutic impact of a Cognitive Remediation Strategy among 30 schizophrenic patients stabilised on clinical, therapeutic and functional levels. The question of the long-term maintenance of such improvements still requires further investigation.
Cochet
A
A
EA 3092, UCBL Lyon1, IFR 19, Institut Fédératif des Neurosciences de Lyon, CH Le Vinatier, 95, boulevard Pinel, 69677 Bron cedex, France.
Saoud
M
M
Gabriele
S
S
Broallier
V
V
El Asmar
C
C
Daléry
J
J
D'Amato
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011340:Problem Solving; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D012919:Social Behavior