Efforts to remediate the problem-solving deficits of
patients with schizophrenia have met with circumscribed
success. This could be viewed as a sign of the
immutability of the deficit or, alternatively, as a reflection
of the inefficacy of the training techniques used.
This study examined the feasibility of using problemsolving
teaching techniques developed within educational
psychology for remediating the problem-solving
deficits of inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
These techniques rely on intrinsic motivation
and task engagement, which are promoted through
contextualization, personalization, and control of
learning activities. A sample of 54 patients who
demonstrated problem-solving and memory deficits on
psychometric testing were randomly assigned to a
problem-solving group, a memory training group, or a
control group. Patients who received ten sessions of
problem-solving remediation showed significantly
more improvement on the outcome measure that
assessed problem-solving skills required for independent
living. Patients who received ten sessions of memory
training did not improve on problem-solving measures.
These results suggest that patients with
schizophrenia spectrum disorders are responsive to
problem-solving training techniques that promote
intrinsic motivation and task engagement