preview

Essay On Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation In Schizophrenia

Good Essays

Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia Patients Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder characterized by an inability to think, behave, and emote in a way that is deemed psychologically neurotypical. Symptoms of schizophrenia are typically categorized into three groups; positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include psychotic behaviors such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and movement disorders. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are generalized as anything that disrupts normal emotions and behaviors. Examples of negative symptoms include things such as a difficulty starting and maintaining activity, a loss of interest in life, and …show more content…

Psychosocial therapies are also commonly used to treat those with schizophrenia, however this type of treatment is best when the patient has already been prescribed an effective medication. In addition to the primary forms of treatment, there are several lesser known schizophrenia treatments that are currently being researched. One of these treatments is Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation, or CACR. CACR is defined as “a rehabilitation treatment consisting of computer based cognitive exercises” as well as using “individual or group instructions to improve cognitive deficits.” While there have been a couple studies published that show a positive relationship between CACR and the reduction of schizophrenia symptoms, there has been little research done on the the effects of the length of treatment. With this in mind, a group of Italian scientists published a study in February 2017 looking at the effects of CACR on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, with an emphasis on the duration of treatment. The primary goal of the study was to determine if a longer treatment was more effective in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia than a shorter treatment. The study consisted of 98 white outpatients, all of whom who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia using the criteria from DSM IV. In addition to fitting the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, patients also had to fit

Get Access