title: The pilot study of a Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Cognitive Remediation for patients with schizophrenia in Japan.
abstract: The main aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of a Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Cognitive Remediation (NEAR) in Japan. This multi-site study used a quasi-experimental design. Fifty-one patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated. The NEAR program consisted of two 1-h computer sessions per week and an additional group meeting session lasting 30 to 60 min once a week. The subjects completed 6 months of NEAR sessions before being assessed. Moreover, taking into consideration the possible practice effect, we assessed 21 control patients twice with an interval of 6 months. We assessed cognitive function by using the Japanese version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS-J). Consequently, the NEAR group showed significant improvement in overall cognitive function, and in comparison with the control group, these findings were generally similar except for motor speed. Although the present study has its limitations, it demonstrates that the NEAR is feasible in Japan as well as it is in Western countries.
authors.affiliation: Yowa Hospital, Tottori, Japan. ikezawa_s@yowakai.com
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikezawa
authors.forename: Tamiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mogami
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayami
authors.forename: Idumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Toshinori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Shenghong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagome
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012073:Remedial Teaching; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult