P02-363 - Changes in Cognitive Functioning During Group Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Young Psychotic Patients

Abstract

Objectives

Cognitive impairment is considered to be one of the central features of schizophrenia and it has been so since original descriptions of illness by Kraepelin and Bleuler. Deficits are already present at the first-episode of illness. Some researches conclude that deficits do not change over time, while others suggest that deficits can be reduced. The objective of this research is comparison of cognitive functions of psychotic patients who participated group psychotherapy with those ho did not.

Method

In this paper, by means of Revised Beta Examination (measure of non-verbal intellectual ability) we observe changes in cognitive functioning of 29 psychotic patients who participated in the psychodynamic group psychotherapy within the Early Interventions Program and compare their cognitive achievements with results of matched 32 psychotic patients who received “treatment as usual”. Answers were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results

Improvement in cognitive functions was observed in both investigated and control group, but improvement in patients who are participants of long-term psychodynamic group psychotherapy was better than in the group of patients who were not treated in that manner with statistical significance.

Conclusions

Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan” offers an extensive outpatient Early Intervention Program for psychotic patients in the critical period of their illness - up to five years from onset. The program includes psychoeducation workshops for the patients and their family members together, group psychodynamic psychotherapy for the patients and group psychotherapy for the family members. Our results indicate better effectiveness of Program when compared to “treatment as usual”.