Combined social cognitive and neurocognitive rehabilitation strategies in schizophrenia: neuropsychological and psychopathological influences on Theory of Mind improvement

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (15) ◽  
pp. 3147-3157 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bechi ◽  
M. Bosia ◽  
M. Spangaro ◽  
M. Buonocore ◽  
F. Cocchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Comic Strips ◽  
Neuropsychological Measures ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Neurocognitive Rehabilitation

BackgroundNeurocognitive and social cognitive impairments represent important treatment targets in schizophrenia, as they are significant predictors of functional outcome. Different rehabilitative interventions have recently been developed, addressing both cognitive and psychosocial domains. Although promising, results are still heterogeneous and predictors of treatment outcome are not yet identified. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of two newly developed social cognitive interventions, respectively based on the use of videotaped material and comic strips, combined with domain-specific Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT). We also analysed possible predictors of training outcome, including basal neurocognitive performance, the degree of cognitive improvement after CRT and psychopathological variables.MethodSeventy-five patients with schizophrenia treated with CRT, were randomly assigned to: social cognitive training (SCT) group, Theory of Mind Intervention (ToMI) group, and active control group (ACG).ResultsANOVAs showed that SCT and ToMI groups improved significantly in ToM measures, whereas the ACG did not. We reported no influences of neuropsychological measures and improvement after CRT on changes in ToM. Both paranoid and non-paranoid subjects improved significantly after ToMI and SCT, without differences between groups, despite the better performance in basal ToM found among paranoid patients. In the ACG only non-paranoid patients showed an improvement in non-verbal ToM.ConclusionResults showed that both ToMI and SCT are effective in improving ToM in schizophrenia with no influence of neuropsychological domains. Our data also suggest that paranoid symptoms may discriminate between different types of ToM difficulties in schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Entrainment, theory of mind, and prosociality in child musicians

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 205920431775315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Ilari ◽  
Cara Fesjian ◽  
Assal Habibi
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Prosocial Skills ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Sports Programs ◽  
The Mind

In this study, we tracked the development of rhythmic entrainment, prosociality, and theory of mind skills in children attending music and sports programs and in a control group over the course of three years. Forty-five children (mean age at onset = 81 months) drummed in two contextual conditions – alone and social – completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test and prosocial tasks (helping and sharing). All children improved in their ability to entrain to external rhythms over time, with the music group outperforming controls in the entrainment-social condition. Developmental effects were found for theory of mind, but no significant group differences. Although there were no significant group differences for prosociality, following three years of music education, entrainment scores in the alone condition were positively correlated with the number of stickers that children in the music group gave to friends. Results are discussed in light of the nature of collective music learning through ensemble participation and its role in the development of social-cognitive and prosocial skills in childhood.

Theory of Mind in Mild Cognitive Impairment – Relationship with Limbic Structures and Behavioural Change

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1023-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes C. Michaelian ◽  
Loren Mowszowski ◽  
Adam J. Guastella ◽  
Julie D. Henry ◽  
Shantel Duffy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Mind

AbstractObjectives:Older adults presenting with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have a higher risk of developing dementia and also demonstrate impairments in social cognition. This study sought to establish whether in people with MCI, poorer theory of mind (ToM) was associated with volumetric changes in the amygdala and hippocampus, as well as early changes in behaviour.Methods:One hundred and fourteen people with MCI and fifty-two older adult controls completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), while close informants (e.g., spouse/family member/friend/carer) described any current behavioural changes using the Revised Cambridge Behavioural Inventory (CBI-R). A subsample of participants completed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results:The MCI group showed poorer performance on all neuropsychological tests administered, and moderate reductions on the RMET compared to the control group (d = .44), with greater reduction observed in those with amnestic compared to non-amnestic MCI (p = .03). While a robust correlation was identified between poorer RMET performance and smaller hippocampal volume in the control group (ρ = .53, p = .01), this relationship was not apparent in the MCI group (ρ = .21, p = .11). In the MCI group, poorer RMET performance was associated with poorer everyday skills (ρ = −.26, p = .01) assessed by the CBI-R.Conclusions:Our findings cross-validate previous reports that social cognitive deficits in ToM are a feature of MCI and also suggest that disruptions to broader neural networks are likely to be implicated. Furthermore, ToM deficits in MCI are associated with a decline in everyday skills such as writing or paying bills.

scholarly journals Preliminary Support for a Cognitive Remediation Intervention for Women During the Menopausal Transition: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena C. Ballantyne ◽  
Jelena P. King ◽  
Sheryl M. Green
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Cognitive Improvement

Background: Menopause is associated with physical and emotional symptoms, and subjective cognitive concerns that are generally not borne out on objective cognitive measures. This discrepancy suggests that a psychological rather than biological mechanism likely mediates the cognitive concerns of women in menopause. The current study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a cognitive remediation intervention with the goal of reducing subjective perceptions of cognitive difficulty during the menopause.Methods: Twenty-seven menopausal women (M age = 53.74, SD = 4.14) completed a 5-week group-based intervention (with a post-group booster) consisting of 2-h weekly sessions. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention measures capturing subjective cognitive ability, mood, anxiety, stress, personality, and objective cognitive tests. The primary variable of interest was self-reported cognitive confidence measured by the Memory and Cognitive Confidence Scale (MACCS).Results: All but one MACCS subscale significantly decreased over the course of treatment (with lower scores associated with higher confidence) and effect sizes ranged from small to large (d = −0.39 to −0.91) with gains maintained at 1-month follow-up. Interestingly, no change in objective cognitive test performance was observed, indicating increases in subjective cognitive confidence in the absence of objective cognitive improvement. There was no change in mood, anxiety, or stress scores. Two-level HLM analyses revealed that those with higher baseline neuroticism, as measured by the NEO Personality Inventory, had smaller decreases in post-group MACCS High Standards subscale relative to those with lower baseline neuroticism (p = 0.027, d = −0.45). Those with higher baseline depression scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) had a smaller decrease in post-intervention MACCS Total Score relative to those with lower depression ratings.Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study of its kind targeting perceptions of cognitive impairment during menopause. Although generally well-tolerated, recruitment and scheduling difficulties were flagged as challenges to engagement while a small sample size and lack of control group limit conclusions about efficacy. Providing current results could be replicated with enhanced methods, these results provide support that cognitive remediation is a feasible and credible treatment, and may improve quality of life for women in menopause.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03311880.

scholarly journals Neuronal correlates of affective theory of mind in schizophrenia out-patients: evidence for a baseline deficit

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1607-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mier ◽  
C. Sauer ◽  
S. Lis ◽  
C. Esslinger ◽  
J. Wilhelm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Functional Brain Imaging ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Schizophrenia Group

BackgroundSchizophrenia out-patients have deficits in affective theory of mind (ToM) but also on more basal levels of social cognition, such as the processing of neutral and emotional expressions. These deficits are associated with changes in brain activation in the amygdala and the superior temporal sulcus (STS). However, until now there have been no studies that examined these different levels of social cognition and their neurobiological underpinnings in patients within one design.MethodSixteen medicated schizophrenia out-patients and 16 matched healthy controls were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a social cognition task that allows the investigation of affective ToM (aToM), emotion recognition and the processing of neutral facial expressions.ResultsPatients showed a deficit in emotion recognition and a more prominent deficit in aToM. The performance in aToM and in emotion recognition was correlated in the control group but not in the schizophrenia group. Region-of-interest analysis of functional brain imaging data revealed no difference between groups during aToM, but a hyperactivation in the schizophrenia group in the left amygdala and right STS during emotion recognition and the processing of neutral facial expressions.ConclusionsThe results indicate that schizophrenia out-patients have deficits at several levels of social cognition and provide the first evidence that deficits on higher-order social cognitive processes in schizophrenia may be traced back to an aberrant processing of faces per se.

scholarly journals Social cognition in first-degree relatives of bipolar disorder: Theory of Mind and nonverbal sensitivity

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0246908
Author(s):  
Usue Espinós ◽  
Enrique G. Fernández-Abascal ◽  
Mercedes Ovejero ◽  
Guillermo Lahera
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Type I ◽  
Nonverbal Sensitivity ◽  
First Degree Relatives ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Bipolar Patients

Social cognition might be impaired in first degree relatives (FDR) of BD but existing research shows controversial results about social cognitive impairments in this population. The aim of this study was to assess Theory of Mind (ToM) and nonverbal sensitivity in FDR of BD and compare the results with those of two groups of persons with remitted bipolar disorder (BD), type I and II, and a control group. Social cognitive ability was examined in first degree relatives of BD, with a biological parent, offspring or sibling diagnosed with the disorder. For this study, 37 FDRs of bipolar patients, 37 BD I, 40 BD II and 40 control participants were recruited. Social cognition was explored by means of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the MiniPONS. Results showed a significant impairment in FDR of BD in the ToM task, but not in nonverbal sensitivity. Performance of FDRs in social cognition is better than that of BDs (either type I or type II) but worse when compared with that of healthy individuals without a family history of psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, no differences were found between BD I and BD II groups. Males and older participants showed a worse performance in all groups. Group family therapy with FDRs of BD might include training in the recognition of nonverbal cues, which might increase the understanding of their familiars with BD, in order to modify communication abilities.

scholarly journals Cognitive, creative, functional, and clinical symptom improvements in schizophrenia after an integrative cognitive remediation program: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agurne Sampedro ◽  
Javier Peña ◽  
Pedro Sánchez ◽  
Naroa Ibarretxe-Bilbao ◽  
Ainara Gómez-Gastiasoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Competence ◽  
Occupational Activities

AbstractThis study analyzed the effectiveness of an integrative cognitive remediation program (REHACOP) in improving neurocognition, social cognition, creativity, functional outcome, and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, possible mediators predicting improvement in functional outcomes were explored. The program combined cognitive remediation with social cognitive training and social and functional skill training over 20 weeks. The sample included 94 patients, 47 in the REHACOP group and 47 in the active control group (occupational activities). Significant differences were found between the two groups in change scores of processing speed, working memory, verbal memory (VM), inhibition, theory of mind, emotion processing (EP), figural creative strengths, functional competence, disorganization, excitement, and primary negative symptoms. A mediational analysis revealed that changes in VM, inhibition, and EP partially explained the effect of cognitive remediation on functional competence improvement. This study provides initial evidence of the effect of integrative cognitive remediation on primary negative symptoms and creativity.

scholarly journals Improving neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia by addition of cognitive remediation therapy to a standard treatment of metacognitive training

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-61
Author(s):  
Pasquale Caponnetto ◽  
Marilena Maglia ◽  
Roberta Auditore ◽  
Marta Bocchieri ◽  
Antonio Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Remediation Therapy ◽  
Metacognitive Training ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Positive Effects

Cognitive dysfunctions are a common clinical feature of schizophrenia and represent important indicators of outcome among patients who are affected. Therefore, a randomized, controlled, monocentric, single-blind trial was carried out to compare two different rehabilitation strategies adopted for the restoration and recovery of cognitive functioning of residential patients with schizophrenia. A sample of 110 residential patients were selected and, during the experimental period, a group of 55 patients was treated with sets of domain-specific exercises (SRT+CRT), whereas an equal control group was treated with sets of non-domain-specific exercises (SRT+PBO) belonging to the Cogpack® software. The effects on the scores (between T0 and T1) of the variables treatment and time and of the interaction time X treatment were analyzed: for the total BACS, the main effect of the between-factors variable treatment is statistically significant (F=201.562 P=0.000), as well as the effect of the within-factors variable “time” (F=496.68 P=0.000).The interaction of these two factors is also statistically significant (F=299.594 P=0.000). The addition of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) to a standard treatment of metacognitive training (MCT) resulted in a significant improvement in global neurocognitive functioning and has reported positive effects with regard to the strengthening of verbal and working memory, selective and sustained attention at T1. A relevant result is the statistically significance of “time X treatment” for all the tests administered: we can assume that the domain-specific cognitive training amplifies the effects of SRT, as the primary and secondary goals of the present study were achieved.

scholarly journals Improving neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia by addition of cognitive remediation therapy to a standard treatment of metacognitive training

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Caponnetto ◽  
Marilena Maglia ◽  
Roberta Auditore ◽  
Marta Bocchieri ◽  
Antonio Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Remediation Therapy ◽  
Metacognitive Training ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Positive Effects

Cognitive dysfunctions are a common clinical feature of schizophrenia and represent important indicators of outcome among patients who are affected. Therefore, a randomized, controlled, monocentric, singleblind trial was carried out to compare two different rehabilitation strategies adopted for the restoration and recovery of cognitive functioning of residential patients with schizophrenia. A sample of 110 residential patients were selected and, during the experimental period, a group of 55 patients was treated with sets of domain-specific exercises (SRT+CRT), whereas an equal control group was treated with sets of non domain-specific exercises (SRT+PBO) belonging to the Cogpack® software. The effects on the scores (between T0 and T1) of the variables treatment and time and of the interaction time X treatment were analyzed: for the total BACS, the main effect of the between-factors variable treatment is statistically significant (F=201.562 P=0.000), as well as the effect of the within-factors variable “time” (F=496.68 P=0.000).The interaction of these two factors is also statistically significant (F=299.594 P=0.000). The addition of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) to a standard treatment of metacognitive training (MCT) resulted in a significant improvement in global neurocognitive functioning and has reported positive effects with regard to the strengthening of verbal and working memory, selective and sustained attention at T1. A relevant result is the statistically significance of “time X treatment” for all the tests administered: we can assume that the domain-specific cognitive training amplifies the effects of SRT, as the primary and secondary goals of the present study were achieved.

scholarly journals Sepsis and Cognitive Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 4269
Author(s):  
Laura C. Jones ◽  
Catherine Dion ◽  
Philip A. Efron ◽  
Catherine C. Price
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Neuropsychological Measures ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Pubmed Database

Sepsis disproportionally affects people over the age of 65, and with an exponentially increasing older population, sepsis poses additional risks for cognitive decline. This review summarizes published literature for (1) authorship qualification; (2) the type of cognitive domains most often assessed; (3) timelines for cognitive assessment; (4) the control group and analysis approach, and (5) sociodemographic reporting. Using key terms, a PubMed database review from January 2000 to January 2021 identified 3050 articles, and 234 qualified as full text reviews with 18 ultimately retained as summaries. More than half (61%) included an author with an expert in cognitive assessment. Seven (39%) relied on cognitive screening tools for assessment with the remaining using a combination of standard neuropsychological measures. Cognitive domains typically assessed were declarative memory, attention and working memory, processing speed, and executive function. Analytically, 35% reported on education, and 17% included baseline (pre-sepsis) data. Eight (44%) included a non-sepsis peer group. No study considered sex or race/diversity in the statistical model, and only five studies reported on race/ethnicity, with Caucasians making up the majority (74%). Of the articles with neuropsychological measures, researchers report acute with cognitive improvement over time for sepsis survivors. The findings suggest avenues for future study designs.

Depressive Traits and Theory of Mind in Healthy Individuals: A Mediation Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas James Rowark
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Prepotent Response

Depression has been associated with poor social cognitive functioning, including impaired performance on measures of theory of mind. However, the association between depression and theory of mind performance has been removed when controlling for differences in executive functioning, which is also impacted by depression. Among these executive functions, inhibition of prepotent response has been demonstrated as enabling success on theory of mind tests. In the context of these findings, the current investigation tested whether a relationship could be found between depressive traits and theory of mind in a non-clinical sample, and whether this relationship was mediated by differences in executive control of inhibition. Theory of mind was assessed in 31 healthy individuals using an audio-presented false-belief reasoning task, which also tested baseline performance in non-mental-state reasoning. Inhibition of prepotent response was assessed with interference measures on a Stroop colour-word task, and depressive traits were self-reported through the second version of the Beck Depression Inventory. Mediation analysis revealed that executive control of inhibition did not significantly mediate an indirect effect of depressive traits on theory of mind. It was interpreted that relationships previously found between major depression, executive and social-cognitive functions do not generalise beyond clinical boundaries. However, these findings are discussed in terms of the small sample size, limiting statistical power, and several methodological limitations. Future research should assess the relationship between depressive traits and theory of mind using alternative measures of mental representation, or include a neurocognitive battery assessing executive functions other than inhibition.

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