Computer-assisted cognitive remediation in patients with schizophrenia : effects on symptoms, cognition and psychosocial functioning
dc.contributor.advisor
Power, Michael
en
dc.contributor.advisor
Schwannauer, Matthias
en
dc.contributor.advisor
O'Rourke, Suzanne
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dc.contributor.advisor
Delahunty, Tim
en
dc.contributor.author
MacLeod, Joanne Louise
en
dc.date.accessioned
2013-10-22T14:55:47Z
dc.date.available
2013-10-22T14:55:47Z
dc.date.issued
2013-07-02
dc.description.abstract
Background: Cognitive remediation is a behavioural intervention that aims to improve
cognitive functioning with the goal of durability and generalisation. Although evidence
suggests that computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) improves cognitive
functioning in individuals with schizophrenia, it remains unclear whether these effects
generalise and lead to improvements in clinical symptoms and psychosocial functioning.
The current study aimed to investigate the effects of CACR on clinical symptoms,
cognitive functioning and psychosocial functioning in individuals with schizophrenia or
schizoaffective disorder.
Method: A systematic review was performed using the quality assessment criteria
defined by Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN 50) to investigate the
effects of CACR on clinical symptoms in individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
or schizoaffective disorder. Additionally, a within subjects repeated measures design
was used to investigate the effects of CACR on cognitive functioning, functional
capacity and everyday social functioning.
Results: There was some evidence to suggest that CACR improves clinical symptoms,
but the majority of studies reviewed did not report a significant effect, and a number of
methodological weaknesses were identified in the literature. Results of the experimental
study revealed improvements in speed of processing, reasoning and problem solving and
the overall composite score for cognition, but these improvements could not be
attributed solely to the CACR intervention. No improvements in functional capacity or
everyday social functioning were observed.
Conclusions: Further, more rigorous research is required to develop a clearer
understanding of the effects of CACR on clinical symptoms. The results of the
experimental study support previous literature which has identified that a pure CACR
intervention does not improve psychosocial functioning. The results are discussed in
relation to the relevant literature.
en
dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/7996
dc.language.iso
en
dc.publisher
The University of Edinburgh
en
dc.subject
schizophrenia
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dc.subject
cognitive remediation
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dc.title
Computer-assisted cognitive remediation in patients with schizophrenia : effects on symptoms, cognition and psychosocial functioning
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dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
en
dc.type.qualificationname
DClinPsychol Doctor of Clinical Psychology
en
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