Does social cognition training augment response to computer-assisted cognitive remediation for schizophrenia?

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) improves cognition in schizophrenia but with modest effect sizes.
• Augmenting CRT is crucial to enhance its impact on neurocognition and social cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if adding computerized social cognition training (MRIGE) to CRT enhances neurocognition and social cognition in schizophrenia patients.
• To compare the efficacy of CRT plus MRIGE against CRT alone.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week parallel group trial involving 131 schizophrenia patients.
• Participants were randomized to either CRT (COGPACK or Brain Fitness) with MRIGE, or CRT alone for 36 sessions.
• Assessments included neurocognition, social cognition, psychopathology, and functioning at baseline and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• The combined intervention (CRT + MRIGE) demonstrated significantly greater improvements in MCCB indices (Visual Learning, Working Memory, Reasoning and Problem-Solving) and the neurocognitive composite score compared to CRT alone.
• Social cognition measures also showed significantly greater improvements with the combined intervention.
• Statistical significance was maintained after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions:

• Supplementing CRT with computerized social cognition training yields superior benefits in neurocognition and social cognition compared to CRT alone.
• The enhanced outcomes may stem from increased cognitive practice and the specific cognitive functions targeted by social cognition training.
• This combined approach represents a promising strategy for improving cognitive and social functioning in schizophrenia.