Okuda T, et al. – This single–group pilot study was performed to provide preliminary evidence to support the use of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and provide data to inform future studies. For individuals with ASD, CRT improved central coherence (CC) and anxiety scores, implying that CRT was an effective treatment for individuals with ASD.

• The authors recruited 19 individuals with ASD and administered a series of neuropsychological and questionnaire measures to examine cognitive function and clinical outcomes such as anxiety and depression.
• For this study, participants received CRT.
• They re-evaluated cognitive function and clinical variables at postintervention and after 3 months.

• At postintervention, the participants showed significant improvement in CC and anxiety, which was maintained at 3-month follow-up.
• This was not statistically significant although SS scores had improved with a large effect size.