Predicting response to cognitive training for schizophrenia using results from two studies with different outcomes

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Schizophrenia treatment literature shows varied cognitive training outcomes.
• Collaborative data sharing can elucidate the reasons for this heterogeneity.
• This study investigates the impact of site and participant characteristics on these outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the contribution of site and participant characteristics to heterogeneous cognitive training outcomes in schizophrenia.
• To identify predictors of cognitive and functional capacity changes in adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.

Main Methods:

• Combined data from two independent studies (NY and LA) of 132 adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.
• Utilized similar cognitive exercises and outcome measures, but sites differed in coaching, group discussion, and compensation.
• Employed regression analyses to examine predictors of change in cognitive (MCCB) and functional capacity (UPSA).

Main Results:

• Medium to large effect size differences favored the NY site for both MCCB and UPSA outcomes.
• Site differences remained significant for cognition even after controlling for background characteristics.
• Improvement in functional capacity (UPSA) was associated with better baseline cognition (MCCB), lower baseline functional capacity, and younger age.

Conclusions:

• Both participant and treatment characteristics predict cognitive training outcomes in schizophrenia.
• Treatment characteristics appear more influential for cognitive gains.
• Participant characteristics seem more critical for improvements in functional capacity.