What variables predict cognitive remediation associated improvement in individuals with psychosis?

On average, cognitive remediation (CR) is effective in improving cognitive function in individuals with psychosis, though there is considerable variability in treatment response. No consensus has emerged to date about the potential influence of patient and illness characteristics on CR efficacy. In the current analyses, we examined baseline demographic, cognitive, clinical, and functional ability variables as potential moderators of cognitive improvements during a randomized, controlled trial of a hybrid drill-and-practice plus strategy training CR intervention. In an attempt to disentangle non-specific vs. CR specific treatment effects, we separately examined potential predictors of cognitive improvement in individuals who received CR versus those in the control condition. Cognitive gains were predicted by a large array of demographic, symptom and cognitive variables, however this was true both in the CR and the control condition. CR-specific cognitive improvement was associated with more severe course of illness as indexed by higher number of hospitalizations, with poorer baseline cognition, and with less severe baseline negative symptoms.