Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11434/1554
Title: Computer-assisted cognitive remediation combined with strategic instruction achieves greater improvement in cognition than an active control in schizophrenia.
Epworth Authors: Ponsford, Jennie
Other Authors: Shayden, Bryce
Rirchard, Lawrence
Rossell, Susan
Carruthers, Sean
Lee, Stuart
Keywords: Cognitive Impairment
Schizophrenia
Psychosocial Disability
Cognitive Remediation
CR
Cognitive Dysfunction
Psychosocial Interventions
Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation
Cognition
Living Skills
Self-Efficacy
Computer Gaming
CG
Internal Cognitive Strategies
Functional Improvements
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Issue Date: Jun-2018
Conference Name: Epworth HealthCare Research Week 2018
Conference Location: Epworth Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
Abstract: Background and aims: Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and predicts psychosocial disability. Cognitive remediation (CR) has shown promise for addressing cognitive dysfunction in this illness. A limitation of past research, however, is that CR often occurs alongside other psychosocial interventions, preventing assessment of unique efficacy. Active control conditions and follow-up assessments are also inconsistently utilized. This study explored whether computer-assisted ‘drill-and-strategy’ cognitive remediation would produce greater improvements in cognition, living skills and self-efficacy than a computer gaming (CG) control. Method: Fifty-six outpatients with schizophrenia were randomized into CR or CG, and offered 20 one-hour computer sessions over 10 weeks. Cognition, psychiatric symptoms, independent living skills, self-efficacy and quality of life were assessed at baseline, end-group and 3 months follow-up. Results: Primary analysis was conducted for participants who completed the end-group assessment (CR=22; Control=21). Linear mixed-effect analysis found a significant interaction effect for cognition (p=.028). Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons revealed that cognition was better at end-group and 3 month follow-up than baseline for CR participants (both p<.01), with no differences between timepoints for control participants. A significant time effect was evident for self-efficacy (p=.028), with both conditions showing higher self-efficacy at end-group than baseline. No other significant effects were observed. Conclusions: CR combined with internal cognitive strategies may achieve unique improvements in cognition in people with schizophrenia, whereas broader participation in facilitated social groups may achieve improvements in everyday self-efficacy. An explicit focus on the translation of learning experiences may, however, be needed to achieve significant functional improvements.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11434/1554
Type: Conference Poster
Affiliated Organisations: School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
Psychiatry, St Vincent’s, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
Department of Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Type of Clinical Study or Trial: Prospective Study
Appears in Collections:Mental Health
Research Month

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