Abstract

LIMA, Amanda Barroso de  and  ESPINDOLA, Cybele Ribeiro. Schizophrenia: cognitive functions, behavior analysis and proposals for rehabilitation. Rev. Subj. [online]. 2015, vol.15, n.1, pp. 105-112. ISSN 2359-0769.

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with a heterogeneous etiology that affects 0,2 to 2% of the population. Besides the classic positive and negative symptoms, there are significant changes in cognitive processes. Considering this fact, this review aims to upgrade the current state of research on cognitive impairment found in schizophrenic patients and possible rehabilitation strategies based on behavior analysis. We have made a literature review using selected articles from 2003 to 2013 accessed through PUBMED, Science Direct and SCIELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online, such as authors with books considered scientifically relevant to the area. We highlighted the seven most affected cognitive functions, namely: speed of processing, working memory, memory and verbal learning, memory and visual learning, reasoning and problem solving, attention/vigilance and social cognition. Forms of rehabilitation can apply behavior analysis techniques grounded in neuroplasticity processes and based on new behavior learning principals. Cognitive changes arenumerous and deserve as much attention during the evaluation process as in rehabilitation planning. Behavior Analysis proposes individual evaluation, developing a personalized program adapted to the limitations of each patient, such as considering his preserved competences. Further studies about the effectiveness of theses interventions are necessary.

Keywords : schizophrenia; behavior analysis; cognitive functions; rehabilitation; neuropsychology.

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