title: "How is cognitive remediation training perceived by people with schizophrenia? A qualitative study examining personal experiences".
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meta-analytical findings have shown Cognitive Remediation (CR) effectiveness in augmenting cognitive and functional outcomes. Comparatively, a minimum amount of qualitative evidence has been reported to date.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the subjective experience of participants undertaking a CR trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty people with schizophrenia completed a questionnaire-facilitated interview, after having completed 20 h of CR. Thematic analysis was then used to identify codes and themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes were identified. In relation to reported benefits, all participants found the training to be a positive experience, with 70% having identified cognitive improvements, 45% improved motivation or confidence and 20% improved social skills. The role of the cognitive trainer in being supportive, adaptive and instructive was consistently reported as important, and most participants commented positively about the group format. Fewer participants had observed a transfer to real life settings, with improved social skills, use of cognitive strategies or aspects of everyday living reported by 40% of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data highlight that all participants reported participation in CR to be a positive experience, with many reporting observed benefits following participation. Key aspects of the training that contributed to this positive experience were also identified and may assist in the further development of this intervention.
authors.affiliation: a Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred Department of Psychiatry and Monash University Central Clinical School , Melbourne , Australia .|b School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University , Melbourne , Australia .
authors.forename: Natalia A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.affiliation: a Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred Department of Psychiatry and Monash University Central Clinical School , Melbourne , Australia .|b School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University , Melbourne , Australia .
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: a Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred Department of Psychiatry and Monash University Central Clinical School , Melbourne , Australia .|c Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology , Melbourne , Australia , and.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: d St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Castle
authors.affiliation: a Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred Department of Psychiatry and Monash University Central Clinical School , Melbourne , Australia .|b School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University , Melbourne , Australia .|c Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology , Melbourne , Australia , and.|d St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rossell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cognitive remediation; qualitative research; schizophrenia; subjective experience