Neurocognitive Functions in Patients With Remitted and Nonremitted Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to clarify the neurocognitive features of outpatients with remitted and nonremitted schizophrenia.


METHODS
The neurocognitive functions of 22 remitted and 41 nonremitted outpatients with schizophrenia and age-matched healthy controls were compared, after controlling for demographic and psychiatric variables.


RESULTS
The spatial attention scores of both groups were lower than those of age-matched healthy controls. The processing speed and visual attention of remitted patients were better than those of nonremitted patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychiatric nurses should place patients with nonremitted schizophrenia in environments that facilitate patient vigilance and limit the need for quick responses.
Faculty of Nursing, Kansai University of Health Science, Kumatori, Sennan, Osaka, Japan.
Yusuke
Y
Kurebayashi
Graduate School of Health Science, Kyorin University, Hachioji City, Tokyo, Japan.
Junichi
J
Otaki
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
Neurocognitive function; nursing; schizophrenia; spatial awareness; visual attention