Is longer treatment better? A comparison study of 3 versus 6 months cognitive remediation in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Despite its extensive use for treating cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) currently lacks a standardized protocol. Duration is an important feature to be defined, as it may contribute to heterogeneous outcome. This study compares 2 treatment durations, 3 versus 6 months, to analyze their effects on both cognition and daily functioning.


METHODS
Fifty-seven outpatients with schizophrenia received 3 months of CACR and 41 received 6 months of CACR. All patients were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months with the Brief Assessment for Cognition in Schizophrenia and with the Quality of Life Scale (QLS).


RESULTS
Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant improvements in all cognitive domains after 3 months. A significant effect of treatment duration was observed only for executive functions, with significantly higher scores among patients treated for 6 months. Significant improvements in QLS were also observed after 6 months in both groups, with a significant time by treatment interaction for QLS Total Score.


CONCLUSIONS
Results confirm the efficacy of 3-months CACR in terms of both cognitive and functional improvements, suggesting that an extended intervention may lead to further benefits in executive functions and daily functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Mariachiara
M
Buonocore
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele and School of Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Marta
M
Bosia
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Margherita
M
Bechi
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele and School of Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Marco
M
Spangaro
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Silvia
0000-0002-2995-3855
S
Cavedoni
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Federica
F
Cocchi
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Carmelo
C
Guglielmino
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Laura
L
Bianchi
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Antonella Rita
AR
Mastromatteo
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Roberto
0000-0002-6877-1456
R
Cavallaro
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D000072466:Cognitive Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult