title: Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) benefits more to patients with schizophrenia with low initial memory performances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia mainly affect memory, attention and executive functions. Cognitive remediation is a technique derived from neuropsychology, which aims to improve or compensate for these deficits. Working memory, verbal learning, and executive functions are crucial factors for functional outcome. Our purpose was to assess the impact of the cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) program on cognitive difficulties in patients with schizophrenia, especially on working memory, verbal memory, and cognitive flexibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected data from clinical and neuropsychological assessments in 24 patients suffering from schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders-Fourth Edition, DSM-IV) who followed a 3-month (CRT) program. Verbal and visuo-spatial working memory, verbal memory, and cognitive flexibility were assessed before and after CRT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Wilcoxon test showed significant improvements on the backward digit span, on the visual working memory span, on verbal memory and on flexibility. Cognitive improvement was substantial when baseline performance was low, independently from clinical benefit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRT is effective on crucial cognitive domains and provides a huge benefit for patients having low baseline performance. Such cognitive amelioration appears highly promising for improving the outcome in cognitively impaired patients.
authors.affiliation: Centre Référent en Remédiation et Réhabilitation Psychosociale (C3R-P) (SHU, Secteur 17), Inserm U894, Hôpital Sainte-Anne , Paris , France .
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pillet
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morvan
authors.forename: Aurelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Franck
authors.forename: Chloé
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duboc
authors.forename: Aimé
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grosz
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Launay
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demily
authors.forename: Raphaël
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.forename: Marie-Odile
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Amado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D014706:Verbal Learning
keywords: Cognitive remediation therapy; schizophrenia; verbal learning; working memory