Effectiveness of a community-based cognitive rehabilitation program for patients with schizophrenia
Applied/Translational Research
Care Continuum
Singapore Institute of Technology Quality Improvement
Others
6 January 2026
To investigate the effects of Neuropsychological and Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR) on neurocognition, social. To date, there are limited studies on cognitive rehabilitation conducted in the local community and this study's findings help shed.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 06 January 2026
Tags: Quantitative Research, Mental Health, Applied/Translational Research, Care Continuum, Population Health
About this Content
Aims
To investigate the effects of Neuropsychological and Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR) on neurocognition, social cognition and functional outcomes of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders.
Background
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness which is associated with cognitive impairments and limits a persons ability to function daily. An established cognitive remediation programme, the Neuropsychological and Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR), was adapted to incorporate strategy-based learning from the Multicontext Treatment Approach. This study attempted to investigate effects of this augmented intervention on neurocognition, social cognition and functional outcomes of adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders living in the community.
Methods
A multi-site randomised controlled trial was adopted, whereby participants were community-dwelling service users of three psychiatric rehabilitation centres. Participants were randomised to either the control group who participated in standard rehabilitation at the centres, or the intervention group receiving both NEAR and standard rehabilitation. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 8-week follow up.
Results
A preliminary analysis of 26 participants found significant group differences for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive domain at post-intervention. There was also a significant improvement in positive, general and total symptoms score of PANSS in the intervention group after cognitive remediation. Tests of associations showed a moderate positive association between measures of neurocognition and social cognition, and an inverse moderate association between executive functioning efficiency and negative symptoms.
Conclusion
To date, there are limited studies on cognitive rehabilitation conducted in the local community and this study's findings help shed light on the relationships among neurocognition, social cognition, metacognition and psychiatric symptoms.
Lessons Learnt
Preliminary results suggest some improvements in psychiatric symptoms following cognitive remediation implemented in community-based facilities.
Keywords
Cognitive rehabilitation, Schizophrenia, Occupational therapy, Mental health
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | Others |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore Institute of Technology |
Platform(s) | Singapore Institute of Technology Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Academia, Community Care |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Occupational Therapy |
Project Lead(s) | Tan Bhing Leet |
Project Member(s) | Tan Jia Yuan Janet |
Connect with this contributor!
Tan Bhing Leet - bhingleet.tan@singaporetech.edu.sg
Tan Jia Yuan Janet - jiayuanjanet.tan@singaporetech.edu.sg