Computer administered treatment of psychiatric inpatients

Chronic schizophrenic patients have been found to have cognitive deficits similar to those found in organically impaired patients. Personal computers were used on an inpatient psychiatric ward at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center to administer cognitive rehabilitation to chronic psychiatric patients. Patient compliance with the program was surprisingly high with an attendance rate of more than 90%. Patients reported enjoying working with the computers and a number of benefits besides cognitive improvement were noted. The acceptance of computer administered interventions by chronic psychiatric patients indicates that computers could be used for a variety of therapeutic interventions.