Feasibility of cognitive remediation therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorders: a single-group pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundSet-shifting (SS) difficulties and weak central coherence (CC) are commonly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) aims to improve such cognitive processing; however, there are no reports on CRT for patients with ASD. This pilot study aimed to provide preliminary evidence to support the use of CRT for individuals with ASD and provide data to inform future studies.Participants and methodsNineteen individuals with ASD were recruited and administered a series of neuropsychological and questionnaire measures to examine cognitive function and clinical outcomes such as anxiety and depression. Participants received CRT, and cognitive function and clinical variables were re-evaluated at postintervention and after 3 months.ResultsThe participants demonstrated significant improvement in CC and anxiety at postintervention, which was maintained at 3-month follow-up. Although SS scores had improved with a large effect size, this was not statistically significant.ConclusionCRT improved CC and anxiety scores for individuals with ASD, suggesting that CRT is an effective treatment for individuals with ASD.

Cognitive Remediation Interventions in Autism Spectrum Condition: A Systematic Review

“…Two more recent case series have examined the use of a CRT intervention for people with AN in both autistic people, and people with high autistic traits ( 11 ). A small prospective pilot study in Japan ( 33 ) then aimed to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of CRT for anorexia nervosa ( 11 ) for ASC individuals. 19 patients diagnosed with ASC were included in the study.…”

“…This paper restricts itself to summarizing the findings narratively. CR interventions and ASC was examined in 13 studies; four RCTs (10,(18)(19)(20); two non-randomized control trials (27,28); four case series (30)(31)(32)34); two feasibility studies (29,33) and one case study (35). Table 1 includes a summary of limitations associated with each study that may impact interpretation.…”

“…More recently CRT has been adapted for use in people with AN, a manualized approach focusing on cognitive flexibility and additions were made to address central coherence-meaning that the adapted manual for eating disorders added cognitive exercises supporting participants in "bigger picture" thinking (11). This intervention was used in four studies (31,(33)(34)(35). Two studies investigated Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (19,29).…”

“…Studies identified were predominantly case series and have supported the feasibility and acceptability of individual CR interventions with positive feedback from participants (29,30,(32)(33)(34). However, the case series identified had small sample sizes which resulted in a lack of power to detect statistical differences and limits the generalizability of the findings.…”

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) in a specialist inpatient eating disorder service for children and adolescents: CAN‐CRT study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

“…Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is an intervention that targets cognitive training of inefficiencies identified in ED populations. It has been an intervention of choice in the treatment of several mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia (Thorsen, Johansson, & Løberg, 2014), bipolar disorder (Strawbridge et al, 2016), and autism (Okuda et al, 2017). It has also been adapted for the use, as an adjunct intervention, in the treatment of AN, specifically focusing on flexibility and bigger picture thinking (Tchanturia, 2014;Tchanturia, Giombini, Leppanen, & Kinnaird, 2017).…”