TY - JOUR
T1 - Trial implementation of CIRCuiTS cognitive remediation therapy for people with schizophrenia in Orange, New South Wales
AU - Thomas, Matthew
AU - Rusten, Kim
PY - 2019/10/30
Y1 - 2019/10/30
N2 - Many people with schizophrenia experience cognitive impairments and current practice guidelines recommend cognitive remediation therapy. This implementation trial examined aspects of feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia cognitive remediation therapy program in our local context. Design: A longitudinal design was utilised with participants providing outcome data at commencement of the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program, completion and at follow-up 3 months later. Setting: Our trial was conducted in the inpatient and community mental health contexts within the New South Wales regional city of Orange, between January 2017 and December 2018. Participants: Fifty-three adult volunteers commenced the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program and participated in this trial. Forty-five participants were currently admitted to psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient units at Bloomfield hospital, and eight were referred by Orange Community Mental Health Service. Main outcome measure(s): Participants completed measures of cognitive functioning (repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status), functional independence (Adaptive Behaviour Assessment Scales 3) and Goal attainment scaling. Results: Most participants reported they liked computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia therapy and made excellent progress towards their goals. Those who completed the program made significant gains in the domains of attention, memory and independence in key aspects of daily living. Gains in functional independence were sustained for a small sample following program completion. Conclusion: This implementation trial showed the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia cognitive remediation therapy program was feasible, acceptable and contributed to strong outcomes in both the inpatient and community contexts. Efforts are in progress to translate the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program, and future research will focus on longer term outcomes, cost-benefit analyses and the experiences of participants and therapists.
AB - Many people with schizophrenia experience cognitive impairments and current practice guidelines recommend cognitive remediation therapy. This implementation trial examined aspects of feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia cognitive remediation therapy program in our local context. Design: A longitudinal design was utilised with participants providing outcome data at commencement of the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program, completion and at follow-up 3 months later. Setting: Our trial was conducted in the inpatient and community mental health contexts within the New South Wales regional city of Orange, between January 2017 and December 2018. Participants: Fifty-three adult volunteers commenced the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program and participated in this trial. Forty-five participants were currently admitted to psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient units at Bloomfield hospital, and eight were referred by Orange Community Mental Health Service. Main outcome measure(s): Participants completed measures of cognitive functioning (repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status), functional independence (Adaptive Behaviour Assessment Scales 3) and Goal attainment scaling. Results: Most participants reported they liked computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia therapy and made excellent progress towards their goals. Those who completed the program made significant gains in the domains of attention, memory and independence in key aspects of daily living. Gains in functional independence were sustained for a small sample following program completion. Conclusion: This implementation trial showed the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia cognitive remediation therapy program was feasible, acceptable and contributed to strong outcomes in both the inpatient and community contexts. Efforts are in progress to translate the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program, and future research will focus on longer term outcomes, cost-benefit analyses and the experiences of participants and therapists.
KW - cognitive impairment
KW - implementation trial
KW - improving daily functioning
KW - rural mental health
KW - translational research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85074283880&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85074283880&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/ajr.12578
DO - 10.1111/ajr.12578
M3 - Article
C2 - 31663213
AN - SCOPUS:85074283880
VL - 27
SP - 463
EP - 468
JO - The Australian journal of rural health
JF - The Australian journal of rural health
SN - 1038-5282
IS - 5
ER -