• Shih-Kuang Chiang, Jia-Rong Jhong, and Chia-Yu Wang.
• Department of Counselling and Clinical Psychology, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan. Electronic address: skchiang@gms.ndhu.edu.tw.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2023 Sep 1; 122 (9): 853861853-861.

PurposeThis study investigates whether using group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) effectively improves functioning among middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia and a below-normal cognitive range.MethodsThe study included an experimental group (N = 24), which was divided into two sub-groups to receive group CST, and a control group (N = 24), who received treatment as usual (TAU). We assessed cognitive functions using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). We evaluated the emotional status, psychotic symptoms, and quality of life using the Geriatric Depression Scale short-form 15 (GDS-15), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Dementia-Quality of Life (D-QoL) instrument. We performed all measures at three-time points: pre-CST, post-CST, and 3-month follow-up.ResultsWe found group CST can significantly improve cognitive performance, especially the ability to use new information, after group CST intervention. However, the experimental group did not maintain this effect at the 3-month follow-up.ResultsWe found group CST can significantly improve cognitive performance, especially the ability to use new information, after group CST intervention. However, the experimental group did not maintain this effect at the 3-month follow-up.ConclusionThis study supports group CST can delay the degradation of some cognitive functions in long-term hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia for the duration of the intervention. This finding has important clinical implications for long-term institutionalized middle-aged and elderly chronic schizophrenic patients with a below-normal cognitive range in an aging society.Copyright © 2023 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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