Executive functions rehabilitation for schizophrenia: a critical systematic review.

Background: Consistent evidences suggest that poor functional outcomes in schizophrenia are associated with deficits in executive functions (EF). As result cognitive training, remediation and/or rehabilitation (CR) programs have been developed and many theories, methods and approaches have emerged in support of them. This article presents a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT), including EF rehabilitation interventions, with a focus on methodological issues and evidences of EF improvements.

Method: Electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Embase) were searched for articles on schizophrenia, EF and cognitive rehabilitation terms. The methodological quality of each article was measured by 5-point JADAD scale.

Results: A total of 184 articles were initially identified, but after exclusion criteria, 30 RCT remained in this review. A proportion of 23% of studies scored higher than 4 points in JADAD scale, 40% scored 3 points, 33% scored 2 points and one study scored only 1 point. The average length of interventions was approximately 80 h distributed around 3.42 h/week.

Conclusion: The reviewed articles corroborate the literature pointing that CR could be a promising therapeutic option for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. In general, CR could improve cognitive domains and social adjustment either using computerized or paper-and-pencil programs. Additionally, CR combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and/or group sessions is particularly effective. In this paper, we also speculated and discussed optimal doses of treatment and the differences regarding modalities and approaches.