Psychiatry Investig.  2018 Oct;15(10):945-955. 10.30773/pi.2018.07.22.

Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia Using Trail Making Test: A Meta-Analysis

• Laere E
• Tee SF
• Tang PY

• KMID: 2425505
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2018.07.22

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the cognitive performance of schizophrenia patients measured by Trail Making Tests (TMT) and the contribution of socio-demographic factors to cognitive impairments.
METHODS
PubMed and PsycARTICLES databases were searched for the studies published between January 1985 and November 2017. Data were drawn from 19 studies encompassing 1095 patients and 324 controls. The effect size and heterogeneity were assessed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2 using random-effect model.
RESULTS
Overall, the results showed that the schizophrenia patients performed significantly (p < 0.001) worse than healthy controls in both TMT-A and B. However, concurrent substance abuse, clinical status (inpatient or outpatient), duration of education and duration of illness were not associated with cognitive impairment among the schizophrenia patients.
CONCLUSION
The present meta-analysis confirmed the cognitive processing speed and flexibility of schizophrenia patients were impaired. However, their duration of education, duration of illness and clinical status (inpatient or outpatient) were not the risk factors.

Keyword

Cognitive performances; Cognitive processing speed; Cognitive flexibility; Meta-analysis; Schizophrenia; Trail Making Tests

MeSH Terms

Cognition Disorders
Cognition*
Education
Humans
Pliability
Population Characteristics
Risk Factors
Schizophrenia*
Substance-Related Disorders
Trail Making Test*