Cognitive adaptation training is a treatment approach designed to alter
the physical environment of patients with schizophrenia to compensate for
cognitive deficits and improve adaptive function. A wide range of
environmental manipulations such as labels, signs, schedules, and
rearrangement of objects are employed. In a preliminary study at a state
hospital, outcomes for cognitive adaptation training were compared with
outcomes for standard psychosocial treatment for two groups of patients
with schizophrenia, matched on levels of functional impairment and
symptoms. Both groups showed improvement in symptoms and adaptive function,
but patients receiving the specialized training showed greater improvement
in adaptive function than did the standard- treatment group.
Abstract Teaser