The Effect of a Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation on Improving Cognitive Functions in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Before-After Study

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment is a chronic and disabling manifestation of schizophrenia. Objectives: This before-after study was conducted to examine the effect of a short course computer-assisted cognitive remediation on improving cognitive functions of patients with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with schizophrenia were enrolled into the study. The intervention consisted of 10 onehour sessions held 2-3 times a week, using the Cogpack software that includes tasks to improve attention, memory, and executive function. The patients' cognitive functioning was assessed before and after the remediation, using tests in the CANTAB battery, including stop signal task (SST) and choice reaction time (CRT) to assess attention levels, pattern recognition memory (PRM) and Paired associate learning (PAL) to examine memory, and stocking of Cambridge (SOC) and intra-extra dimensional task (IED) to evaluate executive function. Results: IED and SOC revealed a statistically significant improvement in executive function after the intervention. PAL revealed a significant improvement in memory functioning in most aspects after the intervention, while PRM did not. CRT showed a significant improvement in some aspects of attention and concentration after the intervention, while SST did not. Conclusions: This before-after study revealed that a relatively short course of a computer-assisted cognitive remediation can be applied to improve several aspects of cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. A randomized controlled trial is required to establish the effectiveness of the intervention.

Alzheimer Patients and Traditional Cognitive Stimulation or with Specific Software: the Gradior Software

“…In fact, these elements were also defended and described by the contributions of Toribio-Guzmán [2]. In the same sense we see connections with other similar works carried out in different countries [4,8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Specifically, we understand that cognitive stimulation using software can be more effective than traditional cognitive stimulation, especially while it is maintained [5].…”

“…Gradior Spain [2] Smart brain Spain [4] Serius Games (SG) [16] Virtual Reality (VR) India [8] Erica Italy [17] JCORES Japan [18] Cogpack Iran [19] Constant Therapy USA [20] Parrot [21] Long Lasting Memories (LLM) Spain [22] BBA Spain [23] REHACOP Spain [24] COMCOG Corea [25] In the same way, other recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of video games in improving cognitive processes affected by the physiological effect of aging, neurodegenerative diseases or others, with potentially beneficial effects. The Pervasive game for personalized treatment of cognitive and functional deficits associated with chronic and Neurodegenerative diseases (PERSON project) proposed new tools for cognitive rehabilitation, with the aim of improving the quality of life of patients with cognitive deficits, especially in the early stages, through the use of sophisticated and non-invasive technology [6].…”

A Short Course Computer-assisted Cognitive Remediation in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Recently, a large body of literature has consistently demonstrated the benefits of long-term CRT on cognition and psychosocial functioning with moderate effect sizes ( Katsumi, Hoshino, Fujimoto, & Niwa, 2015 ; McGurk, Twamley, Sitzer, McHugo, & Mueser, 2007 ; Grynszpan et al, 2011 ; Deste et al, 2019 ; Kurtz & Richardson, 2011 ). In 2016, a before-after study was conducted in Iran by Sharifi and associates ( Sharifi, Sedighnia, Ataie, Tabatabaee, & Tehranidoost, 2016 ). This study demonstrated the efficacy of CRT in schizophrenia.…”