Efficacy of Personalizing Cognitive Remediation for Schizophrenia by Targeting Impairments in Early Auditory Processing

Early auditory processing (EAP) deficits are common but not universal in schizophrenia, are linked to impairments in higher cognitive functions and when improved are associated with downstream cognitive improvements. Assessment of baseline EAP training need provides an opportunity for cognitive remediation (CR) programs to personalize treatment and optimize impact. This confirmatory efficacy study examined the differential benefit of EAP training for those with and without baseline EAP deficits. Hypotheses were: (1) Only EAP impaired (EAP-) patients would benefit more from CR that included EAP training, (2) cognitive gains made by EAP- patients during CR that included EAP training would mediate the relationship between gains in EAP and functional capacity.