JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Compensatory cognitive training (CCT) is an evidence-based treatment for improving cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. However, the need for patients to commute to treatment sites hinders its widespread use. Using a remote device to conduct CCT could improve its accessibility, making it easier for participants to adjust their schedules and reducing their burden.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was threefold: to investigate the creation and participant acceptability of CCT using a remote device (r-CCT); to determine the feasibility of implementing the created training; and to collect preliminary data for future studies of the effectiveness of r-CCT in Japan.

Methods:

To reduce participant movement during training, CCT was conducted once a week for 2 h, for a total of 12 sessions, using remote equipment. Four patients with schizophrenia who underwent r-CCT were recruited to determine participation or dropout rates across 12 training sessions. In addition, their diagnostic assessment, cognitive function, social functioning, and quality of life (QOL) were assessed before, immediately after, and 3 months after implementation.

Results:

The average participation rate of the three participants (a male in his thirties was excluded) was 92%. Immediately after the r-CCT, their cognitive function and QOL—except for prospective memory¬—were similar to those reported in previous studies. Their QOL was also similar to levels reported in previous studies after 3 months.

Conclusions:

Despite this study’s small number of participants and lack of randomization, it suggests that the accessibility and implementation potential of r-CCT may be high. The ability to participate in training from any location could be expected to increase participation rates or reduce dropout rates. In the future, the authors will develop the implementation method further and increase the sample size to demonstrate the training’s effectiveness.