Computer-assisted attention training in schizophrenics

Abstract

The evaluation of a computer-assisted attention training program is compared with a cognitive group training program. Both programs were devised to reduce cognitive deficits in schizophrenics. The training programs were given to 30 acute schizophrenics and 30 healthy subjects. Both were shown to be effective in reducing distraction of schizophrenics in reaction-time tasks. By means of training, schizophrenics may attain the same results in reaction time tasks as healthy individuals. The results are discussed under theoretical, methodical and practical aspects.

Cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia: a quantitative analysis of controlled studies

“…Three studies yielded two effect sizes each, because they compared two cognitive rehabilitation approaches with a control condition (Hermanutz and Gestrich 1991;Medalia et al 2000bMedalia et al , 2001Bellack et al 2001). The total N of included participants was 543.…”

“…One study by Medalia et al (2000a) was excluded because the study group consisted of patients with different diagnoses. Twelve studies were selected for the review (Olbrich and Mussgay 1990;Hermanutz and Gestrich 1991;Benedict et al 1994;Burda et al 1994;Field et al 1997;Medalia et al 1998Medalia et al , 2000bMedalia et al , 2001Spaulding et al 1999;Wykes et al 1999;Bell et al 2001;Bellack et al 2001;van der Gaag et al 2002). These studies are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…But do these effects generalize to other meaningful outcomes? Five studies have assessed the effects of training on level of symptomatology (Olbrich and Mussgay 1990;Hermanutz and Gestrich 1991;Medalia et al 1998;Spaulding et al 1999;Wykes et al 1999). Only the study by Medalia et al (1998) showed a significant decline in symptoms in favor of the training group.…”

A Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia

“…Similarly, only 11 studies evaluated functional outcomes (16,19,20,22,24,25,27,29,(42)(43)(44), and this was the first meta-analysis to quantitatively demonstrate that cognitive remediation improved psychosocial functioning. Furthermore, the impact of cognitive remediation on functioning was moderated by several factors, including the provision of adjunctive psychiatric rehabilitation, cognitive training method, and patient age, suggesting potentially important factors for improving the impact of treatment programs.…”

“…Despite the number of controlled studies of cognitive remediation, only six studies (16,19,21,(28)(29)(30) examined whether improvements in cognitive functioning were maintained at a posttreatment follow-up, precluding the exploration of moderators of treatment effects. The relative lack of data addressing this question may be important because different program, patient, or setting factors could influence the long-term maintenance of cognitive effects compared to short-term effects.Similarly, only 11 studies evaluated functional outcomes (16,19,20,22,24,25,27,29,(42)(43)(44), and this was the first meta-analysis to quantitatively demonstrate that cognitive remediation improved psychosocial functioning. Furthermore, the impact of cognitive remediation on functioning was moderated by several factors, including the provision of adjunctive psychiatric rehabilitation, cognitive training method, and patient age, suggesting potentially important factors for improving the impact of treatment programs.…”