Effects of family assisted social cognition training on schizophrenia patients

Background: Recovery of social functioning is a largely unattained goal in schizophrenia rehabilitation. In the recent past, new neurocognitive and social cognitive trainings have been introduced to improve functioning in various domains of patients? social life. These programs have, to some degree, neglected the social environment in which the training takesplace.Aim: Accordingly, the present study sought to examine the impact of family involvement of social cognitive training in schizophrenia patients.Material and Methods: Nineteen patients were trained using the Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) over a 14-week period. A family member was involved in the training procedure as a co-trainer. A comparison group of 26 patients matched for age, gender and education received non-specific social stimulation. Social cognition, social functioning, quality of life, and psychopathology were chosen as outcome variables.Results: At baseline, no differences between the patient groups were found regarding any of the outcome parameters. After treatment intervention, patients who received family-assisted SCIT were significantly better at social cognition, had less severe symptoms, superior social functioning and better quality of life scores compared with the social stimulation group.Conclusions: Family-assisted SCIT is effective in improving social cognition, functioning and quality of life.Keywords: Social cognition; Schizophrenia; Social functioning; Treatment.