RC2S+: Remediation of Social Cognitive Impairments

Background: Difficulties in social interactions are a central characteristic of people with schizophrenia, and can be partly explained by impairments of social cognitive processes. According to renown researchers, three to five social cognitive processes are usually altered in schizophrenia: (1) emotional processing; (2) theory of mind (ToM); (3) attributional style; and (4 and 5) social perception and knowledge. The components of social cognition appear to be related to both symptomatology and functioning in everyday life. New strategies of cognitive remediation have been recently developed to target these deficits and few meta analyses have assessed the extent to which social cognitive remediation programs have led to multiple improvements for schizophrenia patients. Overall, it seems that such therapies showed encouraging results in both patient interest and motivation, and social cognitive processes. The RC2S therapy is the first individualized and partly computerized program through which patients practice social interactions and develop social cognitive abilities with simulation techniques in a realistic environment.