Use of cognitive remediation to treat negative symptoms in schizophrenia: is it time yet?

Abstract

Cognitive remediation is currently recommended to treat cognitive and functional impairments in patients with schizophrenia. Recently, treatment of negative symptoms has been proposed as a new target for cognitive remediation. Evidence of reductions in negative symptoms has been described in different meta-analyses. However, treating primary negative symptoms is still an open question. Despite some emerging evidence, more research focused on individuals with primary negative symptoms is indispensable. In addition, more attention to the role of moderators and mediators and the use of more specific assessments is necessary. Nevertheless, cognitive remediation could be considered as one promising option to treat primary negative symptoms.