What Is Cognitive Remediation Therapy?
Cognitive remediation therapy is a form of therapy that is used to improve cognitive functioning in people with cognitive impairment. Cognitive remediation therapy is mainly provided to people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other psychological disorders. Cognitive remediation therapy consists of practicing cognitive skills with computerized cognitive training, using printed worksheets, performing functional bridging activities, and discussion that facilitates the transfer of practiced cognitive skills to the real world.
The NEAR Approach
Now more than ever, cognitive remediation is widely accepted and used as an intervention method. There are many different methods used in cognitive remediation, but one that has proven to be successful with our activities is an approach called “NEAR”. The acronym NEAR stands for “Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation”. As Dr. Alice Medalia states, NEAR emphasizes individualized training done in groups that combines techniques developed in both the neuropsychological and educational models to target cognitive deficits as they affect information processing and cognition.
Does it Work?
Cognitive remediation therapy has been studied and found to be effective in remediating cognitive complications experienced by those living with psychological disorders. By undergoing a combination of individual and group therapy techniques, individuals can learn strategies and build the cognitive skills needed for getting back to work or schooling, maintaining relationships, and living independently.
There is a lot of research surrounding the efficacy of cognitive remediation therapy. Here are some of the many studies evaluating the efficacy of cognitive remediation therapy for psychological disorders:
Best, M. W., Gale, D., Tran, T., Haque, M. K., & Bowie, C. R. (2019). Brief executive function training for individuals with severe mental illness: effects on EEG synchronization and executive functioning. Schizophrenia Research, 203, 32-40.
Medalia, A., & Freilich, B. (2008). The neuropsychological educational approach to cognitive remediation (NEAR) model: practice principles and outcome studies. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 11(2), 123-143.
Miles, A., Crosse, C., Jenkins, Z., Moore, G., Fossey, E., Harvey, C., & Castle, D. (2021). ‘Employ Your Mind’: a pilot evaluation of a programme to help people with serious mental illness obtain and retain employment. Australasian Psychiatry, 29(1), 57-62.
Thérond, A., Pezzoli, P., Abbas, M., Howard, A., Bowie, C. R., & Guimond, S. (2021). The efficacy of cognitive remediation in depression: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 284, 238-246.
Conditions that Benefit from Cognitive Remediation
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur after someone experiences a traumatic experience, such as active combat. PTSD can cause individuals to suffer from severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and cognitive disability. Currently being investigated for its efficacy, cognitive remediation therapy may be an effective therapeutic approach to help those living with PTSD.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can cause someone to have trouble regulating their emotions, thoughts, and experience memory loss. Cognitive remediation therapy can help people living with bipolar disorder stay on top of their daily responsibilities and learn strategies to regulate their behavior to avoid experiencing manic or depressive episodes.
Schizophrenia
Often thought of as a disorder that only results in hallucinations, schizophrenia may cause cognitive impairment, poor motor coordination, reduced speech, and social cognitive problems. People living with schizophrenia can benefit from cognitive remediation therapy in order to help them gain employment, stay in college, and make friends.
Depression
Depression causes people to experience processing speed, memory, attention, and executive functioning problems. Cognitive remediation therapy can help your patients living with depression stay sharp and learn effective strategies to combat depression and manage it.
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Louise Kavanagh – Special Education Teacher – Dubai British School Jumeirah Park – Jumeirah Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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“[Clients] never get to a point where they are bored, because I have a lot of flexibility that way to keep them challenged and keep them moving. The cognitive remediation programs we are using have [those features] built in anyway”
Debra Bushong – MS, LPC-S – HOPE Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas, TX – United States
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Kyra Minichan – SLP – The Cognitive Emporium – Hendersonville, TN – USA
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Our favorite thing is to be able to break down into core cognitive domains, knowing every task the patient is doing touches upon overlapping cognitive skills, and it gives participants a sense of what skills they are working on.
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Hector Sigler – Director of Operations – Family Recovery Center – Lantana, FL – USA
We love this program! One of my success stories was the man who had a stroke. As a matter of fact, everybody noticed his progress after using HappyNeuron Pro.
Laura Argentine – LCSW – Integrative Group Psychology Services – Chicago, IL – USA
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