Efficacy of Cognitive Training Program Given to Patients with Schizophrenia Using Computer Tablets: a Preliminary Study

A cognitive training program has been developed to provide cognitive remediation to Indian patients with schizophrenia. The effectiveness of the developed cognitive training program is evaluated through a randomized, controlled trial for 3 months, 4 days per week. After inclusion-exclusion, 29 chronic patients were randomized into cognitive training (CT) and treatment as usual (TAU) group. Neuropsychological and psychosocial functional assessments were done before and after 3 months of cognitive training on the developed program. The two-way interaction between time and group factors emerged to be significant with CT group exhibiting significant change over time in sustained attention-time (p = 0.020, F[1,27] = 6.163, eta(2) = 0.186), speed of processing (p = 0.040, F[1,27] = 4.653, eta(2) = 0.147), AVLT-immediate (p = 0.010, F[1,27] = 7.700, eta(2) = 0.222), delayed recall (p = 0.010, F[1,27] = 7.737, eta(2) = 0.223), and visual learning and memory-immediate recall (p = 0.014, F[1,27] = 6.852, eta(2) = 0.202). Also, the CT group showed significant improvement in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scores. However, no significant improvements in Positive and Negative Symptoms (PANSS) and brief Social Occupational Functioning Scale-(SOFS) scores were present. The outcome of this study shows that cognitive improvement through a tablet-based cognitive training program is feasible and effective in treating cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.