Development and Pilot Testing of a Novel Compensatory Cognitive Training Intervention for People with Psychosis

The cognitive deficits of schizophrenia have a profound impact on everyday functioning and level of community integration for affected individuals. Cognitive training (CT) interventions may help improve these impairments. We developed and pilot-tested a 12-week, group-based CT intervention that focused on teaching compensatory strategies and helping participants make these strategies habitual (i.e., habit learning). Participants were randomly assigned to CT plus standard pharmacotherapy (n = 14) or standard pharmacotherapy (SP) alone (n = 24) and were assessed at baseline, three months (i.e., post-intervention), and six months. Effect sizes were calculated comparing change in the CT group with change in the SP group. CT had medium to large positive effects on attention, learning, memory, executive functioning, functional capacity, negative symptoms, and subjective quality of life. Most effects became stronger at follow-up, but the effect on negative symptoms was not maintained. Immediately posttreatment, ...