title: Pupillometer-based neurofeedback cognitive training to improve processing speed and social functioning in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.
abstract: Among individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, processing speed (PS) has been related to social and role functioning regardless of conversion to schizophrenia. This information processing dysfunction is a gateway to broader behavioral deficits such as difficulty executing social behaviors. We examined the feasibility of improving information processing relevant to social situations in CHR, including its sustainability at 2-month follow-up, and its association with concurrent social function.
  
  
  
  This was a double-blind RCT in which 62 CHR participants were randomized to Processing Speed Training (PST) or an active control matched for training format and the same dose and duration of treatment. PST is a tablet-based program that uses pupillometry-based neurofeedback to continually adjust training parameters for an optimal neurocognitive load and to improve visual scanning efficiency by inhibiting selection of nonessential targets and discriminating figure-ground details.
  
  
  
  The PST group showed faster motoric and nonmotoric PS at post training and 2-month follow-up. At 2 month follow-up, the PST group reported better overall social adjustment. Changes in PS from baseline to 2 months were correlated with overall social adjustment and social avoidance in the entire sample.
  
  
  
  This is the first study to test focal neurofeedback-based cognitive training for PS deficits in the putatively prodromal phase of schizophrenia to address associated social morbidity. Targeting PS appears to be a promising pathway to decreasing comorbidity and mitigating a risk factor for psychosis. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors: The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
authors: Jimmy
authors: J
authors: Choi
authors: Columbia Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center.
authors: Cheryl M
authors: CM
authors: Corcoran
authors: VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors: Joanna M
authors: JM
authors: Fiszdon
authors: The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
authors: Michael
authors: 0000-0002-3799-5465
authors: M
authors: Stevens
authors: Columbia Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center.
authors: Daniel C
authors: DC
authors: Javitt
authors: The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Deasy
authors: The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
authors: Lawrence C
authors: LC
authors: Haber
authors: The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Dewberry
authors: The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
authors: Godfrey D
authors: GD
authors: Pearlson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000072466:Cognitive Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000502:physiology*; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult