Impact of bottom-up cognitive remediation on functioning in schizophrenia

Abstract

In patients with schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric disorder, cognitive impairments have a significant impact on functioning as well as symptoms. Cognitive remediation (cognitive remediation) interventions are a treatment approach that aims to improve cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. These interventions can be categorized as "bottom-up" approaches that directly target cognitive functions and "top-down" approaches that indirectly affect cognitive functions. In this study, the contribution of bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions to functioning in schizophrenia was examined. The study provides evidence that bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions can improve cognitive functioning, social functioning and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. When the literature is reviewed, it is observed that there is no research or programs about bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions in Türkiye. It is recommended that programs for bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions should be developed and utilized in Türkiye and they should be incorporated with the current therapy and rehabilitation approaches. It is important to benefit from technological opportunities, to increase the duration and intensity of interventions, to consider the issue of motivation and to ensure the integration of interventions into daily life, in creation of future bottom-up cognitive remediation intervention programs, in order to increase effectiveness, sustainability and cost-efficiency.