Effects of integrated supported employment plus cognitive remediation training for people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders

Abstract Objectives The present study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of cognitive remediation training (CRT) on Integrated Supported Employment (ISE). ISE blends individual placement support service with work-related social skills training for Chinese people suffering from schizophrenia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Schizophrenia research 2015-08, Vol.166 (1), p.297-303
Main Authors: Au, Doreen W.H, Tsang, Hector W.H, So, Wendy W.Y, Bell, Morris D, Cheung, Vinci, Yiu, Michael G.C, Tam, K.L, Lee, Gary Tin-ho
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Cognition
Cognitive remediation training
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Employment, Supported - methods
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hong Kong
Humans
Integrated supported employment
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Psychiatry
Psychotic Disorders - psychology
Psychotic Disorders - therapy
Rehabilitation, Vocational - methods
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - therapy
Schizophrenic Psychology
Social Skills
Treatment Outcome
Unemployment
Vocational rehabilitation
Work-related social skills training
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Summary:Abstract Objectives The present study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of cognitive remediation training (CRT) on Integrated Supported Employment (ISE). ISE blends individual placement support service with work-related social skills training for Chinese people suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Method Ninety participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders were recruited from two psychiatric outpatient services in Hong Kong. They were randomly assigned into the ISE + CRT ( n = 45) and ISE ( n = 45) conditions. Blinded assessments on vocational, clinical, psychological, and neurocognitive outcomes were conducted by independent assessors. The two groups were followed up at 7 and 11 months. Results Both groups yielded similar improvements across several outcome domains assessed immediately after the interventions and at 7 and 11 month follow-ups, but no significant group differences were found. Significant positive trends over time in vocational, clinical and cognitive outcomes consistently favored the ISE + CRT condition. Conclusion While both the ISE + CRT and ISE groups demonstrated improvement in vocational, clinical, psychological, and neurocognitive outcomes, there was no evidence to show that cognitive remediation facilitated further improvement in these domains beyond gains associated with ISE alone. Further investigation is needed to fully exploit the synergistic potential of ISE combined with CRT, and to better understand which individuals experience a maximal benefit from the specific rehabilitation program components.
ISSN:0920-9964
1573-2509
DOI:10.1016/j.schres.2015.05.013