Working memory impairment is one of the widespread cognitive deficits that exists in all kinds of schizophrenic individuals continuously and stably; Furthermore, it has some harmful effects on their daily lives. Additionally, it may be the basis for various clinical symptoms of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of working memory training as a non-drug alternative for improving working memory and cognitive function in individuals with schizophrenia.

Initially, this paper introduces the influence and evidence of working memory impairment among schizophreniacs. Working memory defects have many negative effects on the lives of schizophrenic individuals in terms of career development, social function, quality of life, and other aspects. Three components of working memory in schizophreniacs—the phonological loop, visual-spatial template, and central executive system—are notably deficient. Secondly, the effects of working memory training on working memory and cognitive function in schizophrenic individuals are analyzed in this paper. We examine the effectiveness of working memory training in improving working memory for patients with schizophrenia. For example, auditory working memory training can improve the overall working memory capacity of schizophreniacs. Verbal working memory training will enhance the performance of verbal working memory in schizophreniacs. The combination of verbal and visual working memory training may increase their verbal and visual working memories and visual short-term memory. Working memory training can improve not only the working memory capacity of schizophrenic individuals, but also other cognitive abilities. For instance, spatial working memory training can increase attention and improve problem-solving ability among schizophreniacs. The combination of improved attention and working memory from training can strengthen the cognitive and social functions of schizophreniacs. Verbal working memory training has a significant influence on improvements in social function and occupational performance of schizophrenic individuals. Studies have shown that the effects of working memory training in patients with schizophrenia last up to six months. Thirdly, this paper explains the effect of working memory training on the neural network in individuals with schizophrenia. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers found that working memory training normalized brain activation in schizophreniacs. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the researchers discovered that exercising the working memory caused an increase in the integrity of white matter, which in turn led to improvements in working memory and cognitive ability. Morphometric methods were used to discover whether working memory training increased the volume of gray matter in the brain, inhibited shrinkage of some areas of schizophrenia, and prevented cognitive impairment. Positron emission tomography (PET) revealed that working memory training resulted in increasing striatum activity and dopamine release in schizophrenic individuals, which were beneficial.

Concerning working memory training for clinical schizophreniacs, the following three aspects are worthy of further study. First, further research is needed to explore the factors influencing the training effect of working memory in patients with schizophrenia. Second, there are some overlaps in neural networks for certain tasks. For example, the prefrontal cortex has an important effect not only on working memory but also on attention. If training focuses on attention and working memory, the results may be confused. Therefore, we should consider the effect of single working memory training on improving cognitive function in schizophrenic individuals. Third, according to the clinical symptoms, schizophrenia is classified as either positive or negative schizophrenia, for which performance and associated neural networks are different. Therefore, researchers should investigate the effects of working memory training on the two types of schizophrenic individuals.