English summaries
Cognitive Remediation Therapy in the rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients
Julkaistu 12.03.2010 00.01
The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia (ICD-10, DSM-IV) include positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations, thought disorder) and negative symptoms (e.g. poverty of speech, lack of initiative), which significantly impair social functioning. These symptoms are typically viewed as primary targets in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, there is a growing body of research suggesting that schizophrenia patients additionally suffer from a significant impairment of cognitive functions (e.g. disorders of memory functions, attention and executive functions). Typically, cognitive disorders are present before the onset of the disease and continue to be part of the clinical picture even after psychotic symptoms have diminished. Cognitive functions might explain a large part of the variance of psychotic symptoms and social functioning, as well as these patients’ dependency on psychiatric services. In the past couple of decades, biomedical and psychological research has suggested that the remediation of cognitive impairments should be a central target in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The number of cognitive remediation techniques and research articles published on the topic has grown exponentially since the early 1990’s. Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is one of these many techniques. It was developed in Australia and the United Kingdom starting in the late 1980’s. In this method the therapist (or therapists) follow(s) a series of manuals (modules) designed to cover different areas of cognitive functioning (cognitive shift, working memory, planning). These manuals include tasks which cover a total of 44 sessions. The recommended frequency of sessions is at least three times a week and it is recommended that two therapists take turns in conducting these sessions with the patient. The development of problem solving and metacognitive skills is targeted by the use of specific methods such as errorless learning, scaffolding and positive reinforcement. The use of CRT in the treatment of schizophrenia has expanded rapidly in Finland since it was first introduced in 2005. Our initial experience with the method has been encouraging.
Emiliano Muzio, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, City of Helsinki Health Centre, Department of Psychiatry Common Services, Malmi Day-Hospital, E-mail: emiliano@muzio.net
Jorma Oksanen, Laila Luoma, Terhi Kimmelma-Paajanen, Miia Ruohonen
Finnish Medical Journal 2010;65:909–14.
| Previous | Next | More news | |
 Käynnistä keskustelu aiheesta |
 Kerro kollegalle |
Tulosta | |
