COMPUTER ADMINISTERED TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC-INPATIENTS

Chronic schizophrenic patients have been found to have cognitive deficits similar to those found in organically impaired patients. Personal computers were used on an inpatient psychiatric ward at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center to administer cognitive rehabilitation to chronic psychiatric patients. Patient compliance with the program was surprisingly high with an attendance rate of more than 90%. Patients reported enjoying working with the computers and a number of benefits besides cognitive improvement were noted. The acceptance of computer administered interventions by chronic psychiatric patients indicates that computers could be used for a variety of therapeutic interventions. © 1991.