A Comparative Study Among Residential Mental Health Services That Apply Different Rehabilitation Programs

Abstract

In our program of rehabilitation Neuro-Cognitive Trainings (NCT), and especially Social Skills Training (SST) are the most effective interventions designed to improve social competence and other cognitive abilities of patients with schizophrenia.

The psichopatological target are: Theory of Mind, Executive Functions and Deficit of Central Coherence.

Thirty-four adult inpatients (from 18 to 55 years of age) with DSM V based diagnoses of schizophrenia were assigned to three different groups: structured rehabilitation program for 24 months (IPT-a group); structured rehabilitation program for 24 months (IPT-b group); generic intervention for 24 months (IPT-c group). The last one was considered as a control group.

Firstly we investigate the efficacy of the cognitive intervention based on SST and NCT approaches of our rehabilitation program applied in two different Residential Mental Health Services; We compared this result with two other Residential Mental Health Services that didn’t apply this program and used to do a generic rehabilitation intervention based on social recreational activities plus support of daily life abilities.

The most effective intervention on cognitive deficits, social and relational competences will benefit from a structured program based on cognitive remediation and social skills training