Christopher Bowie1, Michael Best1; 1Queen’s University
Several approaches to enhancing cognition have been used during the evolution of cognitive remediation for psychosis. The cognitive target of training differs across studies, from targeted to broad. Targeted training of perceptual skills has replicated effects on brain function, but less support for broader generalization than training of executive skills. Few studies have directly compared training across these dimensions. In this study, patients with psychosis were randomized to receive either perceptual skills training or executive functioning training, three sessions per week for three weeks with a therapist, and daily for 12 weeks with independent at-home training. Pre- and post-treatment measures included neurophysiological functioning, cognitive abilities, functional competence, and everyday functioning outcomes. Data from 70 patients with psychosis, including a subgroup with first-episode psychosis, will be compared both across training modalities and length of illness. At the time of the abstract, all participants have been enrolled in the trial with a last assessment date in March 2018.
