| The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of a structured 12 week program of computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation in remediating cognitive and noncognitive problems in mentally ill chemical abusers. It was hypothesized that: (1) A group of MICA clients will perform significantly better on a measure of overall cognitive functioning following computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation as compared to their baseline performance and as compared to a control group that did not participate in computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation. (2) A group of MICA clients will perform significantly better on a measure of quality of life following computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation as compared to their baseline performance and as compared to a control group that did not participate in computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation. (3) A group of MICA clients will perform significantly better on a measure of improved self-esteem following computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation as compared to their baseline performance and as compared to a control group that did not participate in computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation. (4) A group of MICA clients will perform significantly better (i.e. become more internal) on a measure of internal external locus of control following computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation as compared to their baseline performance and as compared to a control group that did not participate in computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation. (5) A group of MICA clients will perform significantly better on a measure of relapse potential following computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation as compared to their baseline performance and as compared to a control group that did not participate in computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation.;Results showed statistically significant differences in support of the treatment group on three of the five hypotheses tested; overall cognitive functioning, relapse potential and self-esteem. In addition, within the treatment group, significant improvement was noted following posttest measures of overall cognitive functioning, quality of life, relapse potential, and self-esteem, as compared to pretest scores.;Findings and alternative explanations are discussed in relation to medication, self-report, reward, instrumentation, and brain plasticity. |
