Compensatory Cognitive Training—Cultural Adaptation to Persons with Schizophrenia in India

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are a core feature that often results in functional difficulties and lower quality of life. There is a dearth of literature in India regarding cognitive training interventions. Literature indicates that interventions from the west are not always feasible in low and middle-income countries. Compensatory Cognitive training by Dr Elizabeth Twamley aims to improve functional outcomes and an individual’s subjective experience of impairment and quality of life. The study aimed to culturally adapt and test the feasibility of the English version of the Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) manual to suit Indian culture. The study was conducted at Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The formative Method for Adapting Psychotherapy (FMAP) approach was used to adapt the manual culturally. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted with Mental Health Professionals, Caregivers, and Patients. The final version of the manual was piloted as a group intervention on 10 participants. Suggestions from the FGD’s predominantly changed Western names to Indian names and included culturally appropriate activities. The pilot phase was halted after seven sessions due to the pandemic. The sessions delivered were well received by the participants. Cultural adaptation of the Compensatory Cognitive Training Manual (CCT) was made as per the recommendations of the mental health experts and service users. Participant’s engagement and enthusiasm indicate that CCT seems to be a promising intervention to address cognitive deficits in individuals with schizophrenia in Chennai, India. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature India Private Limited.