Efficacy of integrated social cognitive remediation vs neurocognitive remediation in schizophrenia: Results from the multicenter randomized controlled ISST (Integrated Social Cognition And Social Skills Therapy) study.

Introduction: Persistent poor psychosocial functioning, which is associated with impairments in cognition, is one of the main barriers to recovery in schizophrenia. Although cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) has shown general efficacy in improving cognition and functioning, simultaneously focusing on social cognition and social behavioural processes may increase its efficacy.

Methods: In a multicenter, rater-blinded, randomized controlled trial, schizophrenia patients (N = 177) were assigned to six months of either Integrated Social Cognitive and Behavioral Skills Therapy (ISST) or, as an active control intervention, Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy (NCRT).