The relationship of cognitive improvement after cognitive remediation with social functioning in patients with schizophrenia and severe cognitive deficits

Abstract Background This study aims to examine the effects of change in neurocognition on functional outcomes and to examine predictors of change in social functions following a 12-week course of cognitive remediation in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder with severe cognitive impairments. Method Level of social functioning was assessed using a performance based measure of functional capacity (PSP) in patients prior to and after the completion of 12-week cognitive remediation treatment (CRT). Participants completed a neuropsychological battery (MCCB-MATRICS) and clinical measures at both time points. Results 63 subjects with a mean age of 41.4 (SD = 12.2) and with 12.2 years of education (SD = 2.4) were enrolled. There were significant improvements in overall PSP score from baseline to endpoint (p = 0.021) as well as in PSP domain A (socially useful activities) (p ≤ 0.001), domain B (personal and social relationships) (p = 0.009), and domain D (disturbing and aggressive behaviors) (p = 0.003). There was a significant improvement in the composite MCCB score (p = 0.020) and the Working Memory (p  Conclusions Faster speed of processing, better visual and verbal learning and less prominent positive symptoms were associated with greater functional improvement after a systematic cognitive intervention within a rehabilitative setting.