title: Cognitive training of self-initiation of semantic encoding strategies in schizophrenia: A pilot study.
abstract: Available cognitive remediation interventions have a significant but relatively small to moderate impact on episodic memory in schizophrenia. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a brief novel episodic memory training targeting the self-initiation of semantic encoding strategies. To select patients with such deficits, 28 participants with schizophrenia performed our Semantic Encoding Memory Task (SEMT) that provides a measure of self-initiated semantic encoding strategies. This task identified a deficit in 13 participants who were then offered two 60-minute training sessions one week apart. After the training, patients performed an alternate version of the SEMT. The CVLT-II (a standardised measure of semantic encoding strategies) and the BVMT-R (a control spatial memory task) were used to quantify memory pre- and post-training. After the training, participants were significantly better at self-initiating semantic encoding strategies in the SEMT (p = .004) and in the CVLT-II (p = .002). No significant differences were found in the BVMT-R. The current study demonstrates that a brief and specific training in memory strategies can help patients to improve a deficient memory process in schizophrenia. Future studies will need to test this intervention further using a randomised controlled trial, and to explore its functional impact.
authors.affiliation: a Douglas Mental Health University Institute , Montreal , Canada.|b Department of Psychology , McGill University , Montreal , Canada.
authors.forename: Synthia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guimond
authors.affiliation: a Douglas Mental Health University Institute , Montreal , Canada.|c Department of Psychiatry , McGill University , Montreal , Canada.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lepage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012660:Semantics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Episodic memory; Memory training; Schizophrenia; Semantic encoding strategies