[Computer assisted cognitive training advances mood and psychological wellbeing - a comparison to paper pencil...

In this study a computer-assisted cognitive training programme (CAT) was compared to a paper-pencil-cognitive training and evaluated in psychiatric patients for its effects on neuropsychological parameters, mood and dysfunctional cognitions.

A total of 29 subjects were randomized either to the computer group or the paper-pencil group. Both groups underwent 20 sessions cognitive training. At the beginning and at the end of the training, both groups were given neuropsychological tests (memory, attention, concentration and information processing speed) and also questionnaires to assess depressive mood, thoughts, negative self communication and locus of control.

At the start of the study, both the groups were comparable in demographic, diagnostic, neuropsychological and almost cognitive parameters. Compared to the baseline values, only the computer group improves significantly in mood and increases its positive self-verbalisation. In both groups no remarkable changes were found in the neuropsychological parameters.

According to these results a computer-assisted cognitive training programme might primarily have a positive influence on mood than in parameters of performance and thus could be a very interesting therapeutic tool in the treatment of psychiatric patients.