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.

The Effect of Cognitive Remediation Therapy on Social Skills in Institutionalized Elderly Patients with Schizophrenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Mohammadi ◽  
Yadollah Abolfathi Momtaz ◽  
Seyedeh Ameneh Motalebi ◽  
Shahnaz Boosepasi
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Remediation Therapy ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Institutionalized Elderly

Background: There are limited scientific investigations on cognitive remediation in elderly patients with schizophrenia. The present study was aimed to examine the efficacy of cognitive remediation therapy on social skills in institutionalized elderly patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The study employed a randomized clinical trial. A total of 60 institutionalized elderly patients with schizophrenia from Razi Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran were selected and randomly allocated into two equal groups (control and intervention). The intervention group attended to cognitive remediation therapy for 8 weeks. The Evaluation of Living Skills Scale for psychiatric patients was used for data collection. The Chi Square, independent and paired t-tests using SPSS, version 22, were employed to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of 60 elderly patients participated in the study was 65.25 &#177; 4.19 years. No significant differences were found between two groups at baseline. However, independent t-tests showed significant differences between the intervention and the control group in social skills after implementation of intervention. Additionally, the results of paired t-tests revealed significant improvements in intervention group on communication skills (t=5.50, p<0.001), behavioral problems with others (t=5.44, p<0.001), and self-care (t=4.70, p<0.001). No significant differences were observed from pretest to post test in control group. Conclusion: The results of the present study may support the efficacy of cognitive remediation therapy on social skills of elderly patients with schizophrenia.

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 Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) supplementation on healthy cat performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Fusi ◽  
Rita Rizzi ◽  
Michele Polli ◽  
Simona Cannas ◽  
Alberto Giardini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Probiotic Strain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Dry Diet

BackgroundThe present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the probiotic strain Lactobacillusacidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) on nutritional condition and faecal quality in cats.MethodsTen healthy adult cats from the same cattery were included (aged >9 months; male:female sex ratio=3:7). The animals were randomly assigned to a control group (CTR; n=5; male:female=1:4; room 1: 16 m2) and to a treated group (LACTO; n=5; male:female=2:3; room 2: 16 m2) receiving the same commercial dry diet. The LACTO group diet was supplemented with the probiotic (5 x 109 cfu/kg feed at least). A five-week experimental period was applied, and nutritional status was monitored by bodyweight (BW) and body condition score (BCS). Faecal quality was evaluated using faecal score (FS) and faecal moisture (FM) parameters. Plate counts of some faecal bacteria species were carried out. The data obtained were analysed using MIXED, GLM and NPAR1WAY procedures (SAS V.9.4; P≤0.05).ResultsThe two groups did not show differences in BW and BCS data. A clear effect of the probiotic supplementation on FM was recorded (LACTO 44 per cent v CTR group 46 per cent; P=0.04). FS in the LACTO group (3.35) was close to ideal values (2–3) in comparison with the CTR group (3.75). Positive effects of Lacidophilus D2/CSL have been recorded in terms of increase in faecal lactobacilli counts and reduction in faecal coli counts.ConclusionsThis study’s preliminary results describe how inclusion of Lacidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) probiotic strain in cats’ diets could effectively improve faecal quality parameters and consequently gut health in adult healthy cats.

scholarly journals Application of aromatic plant extract apples in nutrition chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 367-376
Author(s):  
Sasa Obradovic ◽  
Marija Vukasinovic ◽  
Dragan Sefer ◽  
Vera Djekic ◽  
Aleksandar Ivanc
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Plant Extract ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Food Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Aromatic Plant ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Basic Production ◽  
Experimental Group

In this paper we studied the effect of apple aroma as a food additive in a concentration of 0.04% on performance and reduction of fur chewing and basic production parameters. During the experimental period (30 days), the experimental group of chinchillas that was fed with the pellet mixture with the addition of the aroma showed a statistically significant decrease in fur chewing (p<0.01) in comparison with the control group. Also, only 5% of the animals in the experimental group chewed fur out of the total number in that group (20 chinchillas), whereas the percentage of fur chewing with the control group with the same number of animals was 30%. The positive effects of aroma addition were noted for other examined factors as well, since the experimental group of chinchillas showed a bigger increase in body mass (1.36%), better growth (21.18%), increased food consumption (0.48%) and better conversion (17.13%) in comparison with the control group that was not fed with the aromatic additive.

Combined Neurocognitive And Metacognitive Rehabilitation In Schizophrenia: Effects On Bias Against Disconfirmatory Evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 615-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Buonocore ◽  
M. Bosia ◽  
R. Riccaboni ◽  
M. Bechi ◽  
M. Spangaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Metacognitive Training ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Being There ◽  
First Time

AbstractBackgroundA Metacognitive Training for Schizophrenia patients (MCT) was developed to target the cognitive biases that characterize the illness. Results suggest positive MCT effects encompassing several aspects of psychopathology and subjective well-being. There are still open questions concerning the effect on different cognitive biases and the interplay between them and both psychopathology and neurocognition. Specifically, the bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE) has never been tested in previous trials on MCT. In this study we evaluated the feasibility of MCT combined with a cognitive remediation therapy (CACR) in schizophrenia and its effect on BADE. Moreover, we investigated the relationships between BADE and both neuropsychology and psychopathology, taking into account mutual influences on the degree of improvement.MethodsFifty-seven schizophrenia outpatients were randomly assigned to CACR + control group or MCT+CACR and assessed at baseline and after treatment for psychopathology, neurocognition and BADE.ResultsAfter MCT+CACR patients showed significantly greater improvements on BADE. Although BADE baseline performances correlated with several cognitive domains, no association was found between BADE improvement and neurocognitive nor psychopathological measures.ConclusionsThis study enlightened for the first time the efficacy of MCT+CACR on BADE in schizophrenia, suggesting the importance to develop a more specific intervention tailored on individual needs of patients.

scholarly journals Effects on the brain of a psychological treatment: Cognitive remediation therapy

2002 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Til Wykes ◽  
Michael Brammer ◽  
John Mellers ◽  
Peter Bray ◽  
Clare Reeder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Randomised Control Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Remediation Therapy ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Correlated Motion

BackgroundThe results of one randomised control trial testing a psychological rehabilitation programme aimed at information processing strategies showed improvements in cognition post-treatment.AimsTo determine whether there are concomitant brain activation changes as a result of engaging in cognitive remediation therapy (CRT).MethodThree groups (patients receiving control therapyor CRT and a healthy control group) were investigated in a repeated measures design using the two-back test. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and a broad assessment of executive functioning were completed at baseline and post-treatment. Brain activation changes were identified after accounting for possible task-correlated motion artefact.ResultsfMRI analyses indicate that the control group showed decreased activation butthetwo patient groups showed an increase in activation over time. The patient group that received successful CRT had significantly increased brain activation in regions associated with working memory particularly the frontocortical areas.ConclusionsThis isthefirsttimethat brain activation changes in a seriously disabled group of patients with schizophrenia can be associated clearly with psychological rather than pharmacological therapy.

Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1032
Author(s):  
Chia-Hsin Wu ◽  
Roger W. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perceptual Evaluation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Aging Voice ◽  
Before And After

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

Feasibility of an Exercise Program for Older Depressive Inpatients

GeroPsych ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heissel ◽  
Anou Vesterling ◽  
Stephanie A. White ◽  
Gunnar Kallies ◽  
Diana Behr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Older Inpatients ◽  
Relaxation Exercises

Abstract. Twelve older inpatients (M age = 66.8) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) participated in this controlled pilot trial either in a physical exercise group (PEG; n = 6; aerobic, strength, and coordination exercises) or an active control group (ACG; n = 6; relaxation exercises) twice a week for four weeks. While depressive symptoms decreased in both groups, reduction of symptoms was significantly larger in the PEG. However, the PEG had higher BDI scores compared to the ACG at pretest. Neurocognitive functioning and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration did not change significantly. A four-week exercise program may be a feasible adjunct therapy in older MDD patients but the efficacy of the program needs to be proven with larger samples.

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