Health and Health Services Research Fund

Key Messages 1. A randomised controlled trial was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a computerised, errorless, learning-based, training programme to enhance schizophrenic patients’ cognitive functions and vocational outcomes. 2. A total of 80 Chinese with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to a 4-week, computerassisted, errorless-learning (CAEL) group, a therapistadministered (TA) group, or a control group. 3. Participants were assessed pretest, post-test, and at the 3-month follow-up. Cognitive, emotional, and vocational outcomes were measured using standardised validated instruments. 4. Participants in the CAEL and TA groups performed better than controls with respect to certain aspects of neurocognition. The CAEL group also had better selfefficacy (social skills and personal appearance) in work training and positive affect than the control group. The effectiveness of the intervention in the TA and CAEL groups was not similar. Vocational outcome after training was best predicted by both cognitive and emotional factors. 5. Combined use of an errorless learning and a computerised approach may be effective in enhancing the cognitive functioning and thus vocational outcome of Chinese patients with schizophrenia.