Digital technology for addressing cognitive impairment in recent-onset psychosis: A perspective

Cognitive impairments in psychosis negatively impact functional recovery and quality of life. Existing interventions for improving cognitive impairment in recent-onset psychosis show inconsistent treatment efficacy, small effects, suboptimal engagement and limited generalizability to daily life functioning. In this perspective we explore how digital technology has the potential to address these limitations in order to improve cognitive and functional outcomes in recent-onset psychosis. Computer programs can be used for standardized, automated delivery of cognitive remediation training. Virtual reality provides the opportunity for learning and practicing cognitive skills in real-world scenarios within a virtual environment. Smartphone apps could be used for notification reminders for everyday tasks to compensate for cognitive difficulties. Internet-based technologies can offer psychoeducation and training materials for enhancing cognitive skills. Early findings indicate some forms of digital interventions for cognitive enhancement can be effective, with well-established evidence for human supported computer-based cognitive remediation in recent-onset psychosis. Emerging evidence regarding virtual reality is favorable for improving social cognition. Overall, blending digital interventions with human support improves engagement and effectiveness. Despite the potential of digital interventions for enhancing cognition in recent-onset psychosis, few studies have been conducted to date. Implementation challenges affecting application of digital technologies for cognitive impairment in recent-onset psychosis are sustained engagement, clinical integration, and lack of quality in the commercial marketplace. Future opportunities lie in including motivational frameworks and behavioral change interventions, increasing service engagement in young people and lived experience involvement in digital intervention development.

Automated summary

Cognitive impairments in recent-onset psychosis have negative impacts on functional recovery and quality of life. Digital technology has the potential to improve cognitive and functional outcomes by providing standardized, automated delivery of cognitive remediation training, using virtual reality for real-world cognitive skills learning, utilizing smartphone apps for task reminders, and offering psychoeducation and training materials through internet-based technologies. Some forms of digital interventions have been shown to be effective for cognitive enhancement in recent-onset psychosis, especially when combined with human support. However, there is a lack of research in this area and challenges remain in sustaining engagement, integrating digital technologies into clinical practice, and ensuring the quality of commercial digital interventions.