Work Activity Augmented by Cognitive Rehabilitation for Schizophrenia

Work Activity Augmented by Cognitive Rehabilitation: Continuation and Follow-up

This research investigates the benefits of productive activity and cognitive rehabilitation for patients with schizophrenia. Key questions are:

1. does cognitive rehabilitation plus work activity produce better outcomes than work activity alone?
2. Is cognitive rehabilitation more helpful for individuals with moderate or greater cognitive impairment than for individuals without such impairment?
3. Does cognitive rehabilitation reduce the dropout rate and increase participation in work activity for cognitively impaired subjects?
4. What features of cognitive rehabilitation are most important for clinical and rehabilitation outcomes?

This is a randomized, matching study in which subjects are stratified by degree of cognitive impairment, then randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Work Services Only vs. Work Services plus cognitive rehabilitation. Longitudinal analysis of work activity, work performance, symptoms, quality of life, cognitive function and service utilization are made.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

• change in psychiatric medications or housing within 30 days of study intake
• episode of drug abuse within 30 days of study intake
• GAF score 30 or less
• known neurological disease or developmental disability