Long-term Effect of Concept Formation Training on the Performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in Schizophrenic Patients

Kim, Sung Wook; Park, Young Nam; Kim, Seong Mi; Kim, Hee Cheol

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the long-term effect of concept formation training on the performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST) in schizophrenic patients.
METHODS
The subjects were 22 schizophrenic patients, who performed poorly on WCST(completing less than 4 categories). The subjects were divided into two groups. The training group(N=11) underwent 3 days of concept formation training after baseline WCST and had post-training test 1 week later. The concept formation training is a stepwise training designed to teach the sorting principles of WCST, using cards different from WCST. Control group(N=11) did not undergo concept formation training and repeated test 1 week after baseline test. Both groups were retested for the 3rd time after almost a year(61.4+/-7.6 weeks later in training group; 35.2+/-12.0 weeks later in control group)
RESULTS
The training group made significant improvements in total number correct, total number of errors, perseverative responses, perseverative errors, conceptual level responses, number of categories completed, and trials to complete first category after training. However, only the perseverative response and perseverative errors improved in the follow-up test. In control group, there were no significant differences among 3 testings.
CONCLUSION
This result suggests that schizophrenic patients with poor performance in WCST may be able to improve their performance by stepwise concept formation training not only in short-term but also in long-term performance.