Effects of cognitive remediation therapy on patients with schizophrenia

Objective: To explore the effects of cognitive remediation therapy on patients with schizophrenia. Method:86 remitted patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to either therapy group (n=43) receiving cognitive remediation treatment or control group (n=43) receiving common treatment for 24 weeks.Social disability screening schedule (SDSS),brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and Wiscosin card sorting test (WCST) were administered to all subjects at pre-and post-treatment. Results:Three patients of each group dropped at the endpoint.①After treatment,the therapy group showed significant decrease (t=5.33,P0.05),and more decrease in SDSS score (t=2.16,P0.05) than control group.②Of WCST,the correct responses was significantly increased (t=2.56,P0.05),and persistent error responses was significantly declined (t=4.71,P0.05) in the therapy group after treatment.No significant differences were found between two groups at pre-and post-treatment (all P0.05).③Regression analysis was conducted with SDSS total score as the independent variable and correct responses,persistent error responses and categories completes of WCST as the dependent variable.The correct responses,persistent error responses and categories completes entered the regression equation at pre-treatment,while the persistent error responses entered the regression equation at post-treatment.The persistent error responses were positively correlated with SDSS score. Conclusion:The cognitive remediation treatment can improve cognitive function and social function of patients with schizophrenia.The cognitive function restoration can predict social function improvement in remitted patients with schizophrenia.