Even before the start of MEICIS research and practice project, we have been conducting to develop consultations and treatments in the early stages of mental illness.
Now, our paper on the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive rehabilitation during the acute phase of schizophrenia has been published online in “Early Intervention in Psychiatry.” In the treatment of schizophrenia, cognitive rehabilitation had been expected to promote recovery in recent years. On the other hand, it is also known that early-stage treatment (early stage of the disease course or early phase in each episode) determines prognosis in schizophrenia. Until now, cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia has been exclusively performed after the recovery phase and in the chronic phase, but considering the above findings, it is plausible to perform cognitive rehabilitation in the acute phase. However, there are several barriers to overcome in the acute phase, such as exacerbation of psychotic symptoms and problems with motivation.
Based on this background, in the work published in this report, we improved the workbook-type cognitive rehabilitation program, which we had already developed, and conducted it on patients within two weeks of hospitalization who agreed to participate in the study. As a result, a relatively high introduction rate and retention rate were observed, and the acceptance and evaluation of patients were good.
There have been no reports of cognitive rehabilitation in the acute phase. While further careful consideration is needed, its spread will be expected in the future.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32219993
