Loewy R, Fisher M, Ma S, et al. - Researchers present the first evidence suggesting that cognitive training (CT) in early schizophrenia completed independently and remotely results in durable cognitive gains and symptom improvement at follow-up. While there was no significant improvement in functioning, intensive targeted CT of auditory processing seems to be a promising element of early intervention to encourage recovery from psychosis.

• A double-blind randomized trial comparing targeted auditory training (AT) vs control condition computer games (CG) in young adults with recent-onset schizophrenia.

• Laptop computers were provided to the participants and instructions to complete 40 hours remotely of training or computer games were given.

• Relative to the CG group, the AT group showed improvement in global cognition at post training, durable gains were noted at 6-month follow-up in an omnibus group-by-time interaction test, as well as trend level significant improvement in Problem-Solving, and Speed of Processing.

• In addition, significantly greater improvement in positive symptoms occurred in the AT group vs the CG group