Efficacy of Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia: A Short Review of Its Variable Effects According to Cognitive Domain

Cognitive impairment is a symptom of schizophrenia and strongly associated with impaired social function. In recent years, cognitive interventions (cognitive remediation therapies) have been implemented and their results have also been reported. Intervention studies have been conducted using a variety of methods that differ in terms of terminology, approach, and targeted cognitive domains. In this study, we examined trends in recent cognitive remediation research conducted subsequent to the meta-analyses of McGurk et al. (2007) and Wykes et al. (2011). We identified studies conducted between 2009 and 2013 to examine computer-assisted cognitive remediation and collated and analyzed the literature describing their major results and trends. Our results indicated improved cognitive performance subsequent to cognitive remediation therapy using computer programs. We found promising outcomes, particularly in reasoning and problem solving, verbal learning and memory, verbal working memory, and attention and vigilance, which replicated the findings of Wykes et al. (2011).

Newly Admitted Psychiatric Inpatients after the 3.11 Disaster in Fukushima, Japan

Background: After the March 2011 “triple” disaster in Japan, the residents of Fukushima Prefecture suffered from serious psychological stress. Aims: This study aimed to elucidate the influence of stressful conditions on psychiatric disorders, as reflected in new psychiatric admissions. Methods: Diagnoses and background conditions among new psychiatric admissions during the 3 months immediately after the disaster in 2011 and the corresponding time periods of 2010 and 2012 were surveyed. Results: In 2011, more patients were admitted in confusional, manic, neurasthenic, and delirious states, whereas there were fewer admissions for depression. In 2012, more admissions pertained to depression. Twenty-four percent of the new admissions in 2011 were associated with concerns about radiation contamination and hospitalization, which declined to 4% in 2012. Conclusions: The diagnoses and background conditions among new psychiatric admissions were affected by the disaster;with the influence differing according to the time elapsed after the disaster.

UBOM-4, a New Scale for Psychic Function and Energy: General Population Normative Values and Influencing Parameters

Objective: We introduce Utena’s Brief Objective Measures of 4 Axes for Psychic Function and Energy (UBOM-4), a new brief test battery for evaluating psychic function concerning intellect, emotion, volition, and imagination. To date, insufficient general population data on the UBOM have been collected. This study aimed to establish the normative values for the general population in UBOM-4 and examine the effects of age, sex, and mental health status on the values. Methods: The General Health Questionnaire, 12-item version (GHQ-12) and UBOM-4 were administered to 149 individuals working in or attending professional schools or universities (73 males, 76 females;age: 19 - 65 years). Participants were classified as healthy based on their GHQ-12 responses and psychiatrist interviews. Results: UBOM-4 measures (mean ± SD) were: pulse rate difference (PRD or UBOM-pulse), −0.72 ± 4.31 beats/min;ruler catching time (RCT or UBOM-ruler), 18.42 ± 3.73 cm;degree of randomness (DOR or UBOM-random), 0.94 ± 0.18;mean randomizing time (MRT or UBOM-time), 0.60 ± 0.31 sec. The Baum Test drawings were classified as usual (86%) and unusual patterns (14%). Sex effects were observed for RCT (UBOM-ruler) and DOR (UBOM-random), but not for PRD (UBOM-pulse) and MRT (UBOM-time). Therefore, the normative values for RCT (UBOM-ruler) (males: 17.37 ± 3.25 cm;females: 19.42 ± 3.90 cm) and DOR (UBOM-random) (males: 0.92 ± 0.18;females: 0.95 ± 0.18) should be differentiated by sex. The patterns of the Baum Test drawings were affected by age, with individuals over 51 years showing the unusual pattern more frequently (42%). Discussion: Compared to previous results for healthy individuals, the present results were similar for RCT (UBOM-ruler), DOR (UBOM-random), MRT (UBOM-time), and the drawing pattern, but different for PRD (UBOM-pulse). This difference is probably because PRD is sensitive to test situation habituation, sex of examiner, order of subtests, etc. Thus, PRD (UBOM-pulse) should be measured after the subject-examiner relationship stabilizes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that UBOM-4 can be widely used in clinical settings, utilizing the present results as a reference.