title: A new computerized cognitive and social cognition training specifically designed for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder in early stages of illness: A pilot study.
abstract: People with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders at early stages of the illness present cognitive and social cognition deficits that have a great impact in functional outcomes. Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) has demonstrated consistent effect in cognitive performance, symptoms and psychosocial functioning. However, any CRT intervention or social cognition training have been specifically designed for patients in the early stages of psychosis. The aim of this pilot study is to assess the efficacy of a new computerized cognitive and social cognition program for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder with recent diagnosis. A comprehensive assessment of clinical, social and non-social cognitive and functional measures was carried out in 53 randomized participants before and after the 4-months treatment. Significant results were observed in Spatial Span Forwards, Immediate Logical Memory and Pictures of Facial Affect (POFA) total score. None of these results were explained by medication, premorbid social functioning or psychopathological symptoms. No impact of the intervention was observed in other cognitive and social cognition outcome neither in clinical and functional outcomes. This new computerized intervention may result effective ameliorating visual attention, logical memory and emotional processing in patients in the early stages of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.
authors.affiliation: Research Department. Foundation Parc Taulí. Universitary Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Parc Taulí Sabadell, Universitary Hospital, 08208, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Research Unit. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: msfernandez@tauli.cat.
authors.forename: Sol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Gonzalo
authors.affiliation: Research Department. Foundation Parc Taulí. Universitary Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Parc Taulí Sabadell, Universitary Hospital, 08208, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Research Unit. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turon
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department Parc Taulí. Sabadell. University Hospital -Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Research Unit. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Merce
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jodar
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Department, Parc Taulí. Sabadell. University Hospital - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Research Unit. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pousa
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Department, Parc Taulí. Sabadell. University Hospital - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hernandez Rambla
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Department, Parc Taulí. Sabadell. University Hospital - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
authors.forename: Rebeca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Department, Parc Taulí. Sabadell. University Hospital - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, International Excellence Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. International Excellence Campus, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive Remediation Therapy; Early phases of psychosis; Emotional processing; Theory of mind