Improvement of cognitive and social functioning in residual schizophrenia through cognitive remediation and social skills training- a case study

Abstract

In the course of chronicity of schizophrenia, patients could have negative symptoms of schizophrenia, i.e., apathy, avolition, reduction in speech, incongruous emotional responses, social withdrawal, anhedonia etc. Cognitive deficits are the core features of chronic schizophrenia, and research suggests that, it is evident that, in residual schizophrenia, deficits are more expected. Declined cognitive functioning leads difficulties in attention, concentration, set-shifting, planning and problem solving. Cognitive difficulties encompass daily living functioning and social interactions. Cognitive remediation is a method of behavioural training to patients with schizophrenia, which improves the cognitive functioning of the patient through enhancing information processing and guided cognitive training. Along with cognitive remediation techniques, advancement of social skills and interaction is necessary in development of functioning of patients with residual schizophrenia. The present study is aimed to improve cognitive and social functioning of a 52 years old female with residual schizophrenia through cognitive remediation techniques and social skills training. It has been seen that, guided and drill cognitive training improved the functioning over time and it has also been found that, group interactions, problem identifications, role playing, emotional reaction identifications enhanced the social skills functioning in the client. So, it can be concluded that, though there are difficulties in alteration of cognitive and social functioning in residual schizophrenia, but it has been seen that, cognitive remediation techniques and social-skills training enhanced the functioning of the present client.