title: Evaluation of a cognitive remediation intervention for college students with psychiatric conditions.
abstract: Given the poor educational outcomes associated with psychiatric conditions, we developed Focused Academic Strength Training (FAST), a 12-week strategy-focused cognitive remediation intervention designed to improve academic functioning among college students with psychiatric conditions. Here we report initial results from a randomized controlled trial of FAST.
  
  
  
  Seventy-two college students with mood, anxiety, and/or psychotic disorders were randomized to receive FAST or services as usual and were assessed at baseline and 4 months (posttreatment).
  
  
  
  Repeated-measures analyses of variance indicated FAST-associated improvements in self-reported cognitive strategy use (p < .001), self-efficacy (p = .001), and academic difficulties (p = .025). There were no significant treatment-related improvements in neuropsychological performance.
  
  
  
  FAST may lead to an increase in self-efficacy and cognitive strategy use, as well as a reduction in academic difficulties among students with psychiatric conditions. Future analyses with follow-up data through 12 months will address the potential of FAST to improve academic functioning among this population. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Michelle G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Judy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Ann A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malenczak
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giacobbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karyczak
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego.
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Twamley
authors.affiliation: Division of Schizophrenia Research, University Behavioral Health Care, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D000073978:Academic Performance; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000072466:Cognitive Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult