Cognitive Training with Schizophrenia Patients

The majority of schizophrenia patients show moderate to severe neuropsychological dysfunction. Within cognitive training programs single or multiple neuropsychological domains are trained by using drill and practice exercises. By now, evidence has accumulated indicating effectiveness of cognitive training in schizophrenia. Remediation programs that combine cognitive training with other rehabilitative strategies such as problem solving training or motivation enhancement show stronger effects on parameters of social and vocational functioning compared to those which are exclusively based on drill and practice. The effect of cognitive training is moderated by treatment intensity, therapist qualifications, and patient motivation. Individualized cognitive training necessitates a detailed testing of neuropsychological functioning. Specific cognitive training programmes for schizophrenia patients developed in the last decade are presented.