[Neuropsychological Functioning as a Predictor of Treatment Response to Psychoeducational, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in People at Clinical High Risk of First Episode Psychosis]

Abstract

Objective: Investigate whether treatment response in people at clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR) is predicted by their cognitive performance.

Method: 128 CHR outpatients were randomized into two treatment groups, one receiving integrated psychological intervention (IPI), including psychoeducation, the other receiving supportive counselling (SC) for 12 months. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify neurocognitive predictors of treatment response in a subgroup of n = 105, measured by symptomatic and functional improvement at 1-year follow-up.

Results: In the IPI, treatment response was associated with performance of executive control and processing speed (R² = 0.27, p = 0.002). In both treatment groups, performance of working memory/attention was a significant predictor (IPI: R² = 0.15, p = 0.039, SC: R² = 0.19, p = 0.012).

Conclusion: Cognitive performance is associated with treatment response in CHR people. The enhancement of cognitive performance is a useful target of early intervention.