Integrated neurocognitive therapy in chronic schizophrenic inpatients: preliminary data and considerations

The present paper aims at studying the efficacy of the Integrated Neurocognitive Therapy (INT), according to Roder's model, in a group of chronic schizophrenics in a long term residential condition. This kind of treatment is particularly interesting because, according to the most recent studies concerning schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder, allows to act on the neuro- and socio- cognitions areas, which are the most deteriorated ones. Moreover the INT program includes also computer aided activities (Cog PacK), which largely proved their efficacy on neurocognition.

The study sample consists of 10 inpatients suffering of Schizophrenia (according to DSM-5), 5 Male and 5 Female, average age 52, disorder average length 24,9 years, with IQ not <80. The sample took part in the 18 months INT program and has been evaluated through the neurocognitive set RBANS and MCST (modified version of WCST for the survey of the executive functions: abstraction, categorization, set shifting at the beginning of the treatment (T0), after 12 months (T1), and at its end, after 18 months (T2).

As regards neurocognition, starting from the preliminary result analysis, the only statistical significance refers to time factor concerning the immediate memory measured by RBANS at T2. We can also point out an improvement trend in T1 evaluations for the single cognitive functions and for the general cognitive profile. Concerning the executive functions (MCST), even without any statistical significance, a general improvement trend is present (completed categories, persisting and not persisting mistakes).

The data presented, even in a numerically reduced sample, encourage however an optimistic perspective concerning the INT rehabilitation use in schizophrenic inpatients, substantially confirming the data already present in literature. We have to pay specific attention even in the evaluation of computerized programs, whose use can aid the general sociocognitive functioning. We hope that later and wider studies will support what we have herein preliminarly presented and discussed.