Cognitive Remediation Therapy and Schizophrenia

Efficacy of Hierarchized Computer-assisted Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Schizophrenia

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a new Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) on cognition, social autonomy, symptoms and brain functioning in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

In a 2 arms blind study versus sham,80 patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in a program consisting of 14 training sessions of 4 cognitive functions (attention/concentration, topological memory, logical reasoning, executive functions)by means REHACOM® software. Measures of cognitive functioning using the Cogtest® battery as well as social autonomy (Social Autonomy Scale, EAS) and schizophrenia symptoms (Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS) were undertaken at the beginning and the end of the meetings of remediation.

Among those 80 participants, 30 patients to (15 active / 15 sham) were randomized to participate in an fMRI study in order to investigate the impact of such CRT program on brain functioning (n-back task before CRT and 3 months later).

Inclusion Criteria:

• schizophrenia (DSM IV criteria)
• remitted symptoms
• french language
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• addiction, neurological disease
• only for second randomized patient participating in MRI study (n=30) : MRI counterindications