Schizophrenia

What Is It?

Schizophrenia is a psychological condition in which a person may experience hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, flat affect, reduced speech, unusual thoughts, poor motor coordination, and cognitive impairment. People with schizophrenia often struggle most with attention, executive functioning, and processing speed. Schizophrenia cannot be cured, but people with schizophrenia often take medications and undergo psychotherapy to help them manage symptoms. With proper treatment, schizophrenia can be managed and individuals can live healthy and happy lives.

What Can Be Done for Schizophrenia?

Cognitive remediation therapy has been significantly studied in this population. There are many other treatment options available. One of the most popular treatment options is using a clinician trained in the NEAR cognitive remediation therapy (Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation) founded by Dr. Alice Medalia of Columbia University approach. Learn about how the HOPE program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center conducts its research and treatment for individuals with schizophrenia.

Research

Check out the recent research published using HappyNeuron Pro with Schizophrenia patients:

Franck N, Duboc C, Sundby C, et al. Specific vs general cognitive remediation for executive functioning in schizophrenia: a multicenter randomized trial. Schizophr Res. 2013;147(1):68‐74. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2013.03.009

Pascal Vianin, Sébastien Urben, Pierre Magistretti, Pierre Marquet, Eleonora Fornari, Laure Jaugey. Increased activation in Broca’s area after cognitive remediation in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, Volume 221. Issue 3, 30 March 2014, pp 204-209.

Best MW, Milanovic M, Iftene F, Bowie CR. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Executive Functioning Training Compared With Perceptual Training for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Effects on Neurophysiology, Neurocognition, and Functioning. Am J Psychiatry. 2019;176(4):297‐306. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18070849

Best MW, Milanovic M, Shamblaw AL, et al. An examination of the moderating effects of neurophysiology on treatment outcomes from cognitive training in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders [published online ahead of print, 2019 Feb 15]. Int J Psychophysiol. 2019;S0167-8760(18)30863-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.02.004

Best MW, Gale D, Tran T, Haque MK, Bowie CR. Brief executive function training for individuals with severe mental illness: Effects on EEG synchronization and executive functioning. Schizophr Res. 2019;203:32‐40. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.08.052

Best MW, Milanovic M, Tran T, et al. Motivation and engagement during cognitive training for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophr Res Cogn. 2019;19:100151. Published 2019 May 23. doi:10.1016/j.scog.2019.100151

Kidd SA, Herman Y, Virdee G, et al. A comparison of compensatory and restorative cognitive interventions in early psychosis. Schizophr Res Cogn. 2019;19:100157. Published 2019 Jul 24. doi:10.1016/j.scog.2019.100157

Balzan RP, Mattiske JK, Delfabbro P, Liu D, Galletly C. Individualized Metacognitive Training (MCT+) Reduces Delusional Symptoms in Psychosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Schizophr Bull. 2019;45(1):27‐36. doi:10.1093/schbul/sby152

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Our Customer’s Actively Working in the Field of Schizophrenia

[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 – Psychiatrist MS, LPC-S – Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center – Texas – United States

Read her story: Counseling & Cognitive Remediation for Psychological Disorders in Adults

Many patients have described to Jacob Hillestrøm that the main payoff from the cognitive training has been an increase in self-confidence and self-efficacy.

Jacob Hillestrøm – Cognitive Trainer – Skovhus – Nykøbing Sjælland – Denmark

Read his story: Digital Cognitive Rehabilitation in Denmark