Cognitive Remediation Improves Function, QoL in Schizoaffective Disorder

Cognitive remediation interventions could help to improve neurocognition and social cognition in patients with schizoaffective disorder, according to the results of a recent study.

Cognitive impairment hinders functionality in patients with schizoaffective disorder, and cognitive remediation interventions have been shown to benefit patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

To explore whether this method of treatment could benefit patients with schizoaffective disorder, researchers conducted a comprehensive, computerized literature search which returned 2672 articles, 4 of which met the inclusion criteria.

Overall, they found that cognitive enhancement therapy, computerized cognitive remediation therapy and cognitive training were all associated with positive results in neurocognition and functioning and quality of life in subsamples of patients with schizoaffective disorder compared with patients with schizophrenia. Social cognition interaction training was also shown to benefit social cognition in these patients.

“Cognitive remediation interventions seem to improve neurocognition and social cognition in patients with schizoaffective disorder as well as functioning and quality of life. However, further randomized controlled trials on cognitive remediation interventions with an optimized design focusing on selected sample of patients with schizoaffective disorder are imperative,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Lopen-Fernandez E, Sole B, Jimenez E, et al. Cognitive remediation interventions in schizoaffective disorder: a systematic review [published online October 4, 2018]. Front Psychiatry. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00470.