Role of Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia with a Comorbid Addiction to Amphetamine and Cannabis

Abstract

Introduction

An important element of the rehabilitation in schizophrenia is cognitive rehabilitation, aimed at the greatest possible reduction in deficits.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients with a comorbid addiction to psychoactive substances participating in a cognitive rehabilitation program.

Methods

All recruited patients were men, aged between 20 and 45 years. They were examined in the initial period of the stay at the treatment center and after 4-7 weeks of hospitalization, after the stabilization of acute psychotic symptoms. During this time patients participated in the cognitive rehabilitation program. Cognitive function were assessed: Trail Making Test (TMT A & B), Stroop Test, and Verbal Fluency Test. Patients were divided into two groups according to abused substances: a) amphetamine users (n = 15), b) cannabis users (n = 11). As for the medication – 25 of 26 patients were treated with second generation antipsychotics.

Results

After the process of rehabilitation of cognitive functions of all gained patients gained a significant improvement. The type of abused psychoactive substance did not significantly affect cognitive functioning. However, amphetamine-dependent patients achieved better results in some of the cognitive tests. Cognitive rehabilitation does not affect the reduction of psychopathological symptoms. However, in patients addicted to amphetamines a decrease in the severity of these symptoms was found.

Conclusions

Cognitive rehabilitation exerts a positive effect on cognitive functioning of schizophrenic patients with concomitant dependence on psychoactive substances.