Social Cognition Training for Enhancing Affective and Cognitive Theory of Mind in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis

Abstract

People with schizophrenia disorder show the presence of a deficit in social cognition (SC). Several proposals of intervention for social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia have been raised. The present study aimed to provide an update to the state-of-the-art of SC training in schizophrenia, with specific analysis on their efficacy on ToM, which is deeply involved with social dysfunction in this disorder. Furthermore, we proposed to investigate the efficacy of SC training both on ToM cognitive and affective components. We conducted a systematic review, screening 5251 articles; 26 studies met our inclusion criteria. Interventions included were very heterogeneous. To test the efficacy of SC training on ToM domain, we conducted a meta-analysis. Our results showed that SC multidimensional training programs have a positive effect on ToM domain, with a moderate effect on both cognitive and affective ToM subcomponents. Future investigations about which could be the best option for the enhancement of SC in schizophrenia are needed, contributing to expanding the state-of-the-art of SC training in this disorder.

Keywords:

• Social interaction
• sociocognitive development
• training and development
• metacognition
• neuropsychology

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alessia d’Arma

Alessia d'Arma completed a Master of Science Degree in Psychology at the University of Turin (Italy) and she is currently completing her PhD course in “Science of the Person and Education” at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan, Italy). She is also researcher at the IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, Milan (Italy). Her main research fields of interest are: Social Cognition and Theory of Mind, chronic and neurodegenerative disease, rehabilitation, neuropsychology, lifestyle and quality of life in chronic diseases.

Sara Isernia

Sara Isernia graduated from the University of Pavia (Italy) in Psychology, she obtained a PhD in Science of the person and Education from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy). Currently, she is researcher at the IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, Milan (Italy). Her main research fields of investigation are: social cognition in typical and atypical development, rehabilitation, digital health, neurodegenerative diseases, chronicity.

Sonia Di Tella

Sonia Di Tella completed a Master Degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychological Rehabilitation at Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” in Rome (Italy), a Postgraduate Degree in Clinical Neuropsychology at Università Europea di Roma, Istituto Skinner in Rome (Italy) and PhD in Psychology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan (Italy). Student visitor at the Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield and at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) (United Kingdom, UK). She is currently Neuroscientific research collaborator at the I.R.C.C.S. Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Centro Avanzato di Diagnostica e Terapia Riabilitativa (CADiTeR) in Milan (Italy). Her Skils and expertise are Clinical and experimental Neuropsychology, Functional Neuroimaging, and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. She is also winner of a Scholarship financed by “Crespi Spano Foundation”, on the topic “Functional Recovery in the neurodegenerative diseases” and Member of the Italian Society of Neuropsychology (SINP) from 2018 to present.

Marco Rovaris

Marco Rovaris achieved the degree in Medicine in 1990 with full marks cum laude and completed his training in Neurology in 1994 at the University of Milan. Between 1994 and 1995 he spent a fellowship period at the Institute of Neurology in London (UK), participating to clinical activity and research studies focused on the use of MRI in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis. Between 1996 and 2008 he worked as a registrar in neurology and researcher at the Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Rehabilitation Unit of the Scientific Institute San Raffaele in Milan. In 2004 he received the Rita Levi Montalcini award from the Italian MS Foundation, thanks to his studies on multiple sclerosis. Since 2008 he has been working at the Scientific Institute Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi in Milan, where he is the head of the Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. He is contract professor at the University of Milan and member of the Italian Neurological Society. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 full papers on peer-reviewed journals.

Annalisa Valle

Annalisa Valle is researcher in Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano. Member of the Research Unit on Theory of Mind, main interests: Theory of mind development in a life-span perspective. Irony understanding in children. Financial education, Emotional development in children and adolescents. Mentalization in a life-span perspective.

Francesca Baglio

Francesca Baglio is Neurologist, senior scientist and P.I. in projects related to the development and application of new models of care in both adults and developmental age, with particular attention to integrated care models applied to neurorehabilitation settings. She has implemented and sperimented integrated multimodal rehabilitation interventions for non communicable diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Finally, she is an expert in the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques in the evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes in clinical settings. Currently, she is the Research Coordinator of Center of Advanced Diagnostics, Therapy and Rehabilitation (CADiTeR) at Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi-Scientific Institute of Milan.

Antonella Marchetti

Antonella Marchetti is Full Professor of Psychology of Development and Psychology of Education at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Milan (Italy), Director of the Research Unit on Theory of Mind, Coordinator of the PhD Programme in Sciences of the Person and Education, Vice-President of the Italian Association of Psychology, ISSBD Executive Committee member and ISSBD Regional Coordinator for Italy, member of the scientific Committee of FEDUF (Foundation for the Financial Education and Saving). Her research interests are in: Theory of Mind development from infancy to the elderly, decision-making, Theory of Mind in HRI. Antonella Marchetti graduated in Philosophy at the University of Genoa and took her specialization in Psychology at UCSC, she also obtained her PhD in Psychology from the University of Pavia. Antonella Marchetti published more than 270 scientific contributes, consisting in papers, book chapters, books and edited books. She took part to numerous international and national conferences.