Abstract
Patients with depression often experience cognitive dysfunction which may not improve sufficiently after remission of depression. This study incorporated cognitive remediation techniques to restore cognitive dysfunction into a conventional return-to-work program, which was then implemented and assessed. Cognitive remediation consisted of text summarization, a brain-training game using a personal computer for each participant, and a bridging session in which participants discussed in groups. Participants were 37 patients with depressive state who had taken a leave of absence from work and were being treated in a psychiatric clinic. Questionnaires and cognitive function tests were performed before and after the program, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. The t-test showed a significant improvement at the 0.1% level for all questionnaires. The results of cognitive function tests showed improvement in working memory, response inhibition, psychomotor speed, and a part of executive functions. In cognitive remediation for return-to-work program participants, it is considered important to devise methods to keep participants from becoming bored and to keep them motivated.
