Intervention Targeting Motivational Negative Symptoms

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder; Schizo Affective Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Switch - Individual sessions; Behavioral: Switch - Group programme

• Registration Number: NCT04325100
• Lead Sponsor: University of Liege

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of the Switch intervention on motivation and associated processes and explore the dynamics between the processes.

A single case approach is followed, with a pre-post and follow-up assessment design, and continuous ambulatory assessments (experience sampling method (ESM) and step count).

Detailed Description

Motivational negative symptoms hinder quality of life and daily functioning of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar and major depressive disorders.

A recently developed intervention, Switch, has shown promising effects on negative symptoms and functional outcomes. Switch is based on a model that identifies various cognitive, behavioural and emotional processes related to motivation and goal-directed behaviours: pleasure anticipation, value-effort-probability computation, (dys)functional attitudes (e.g., discouraging thoughts, self-efficacy), planning, initiation, in-the-moment enjoyment, reminiscence. The intervention combines a person-centred and recovery approach with cognitive, behavioural and 3rd wave techniques to tackle the obstacles related to motivation and goal-directed behaviours (i.e., targetting the various cognitive, behavioural and emotional processes listed above). Thus, an important part of the intervention focuses on the person's strengths, needs, goals and values. Furthermore, various strategies (e.g., cognitive defusion, pleasure anticipation, problem solving, reminiscence) are used to encourage engagement in meaningful personal goals and values.

The Switch intervention is provided either in individual (one-hour sessions), or in a group setting (two-hour sessions), twice a week for around two months.

There are three types of evaluation: traditional assessment scales of motivational deficits, apathy, quality of life and daily functioning (pre, post and follow-up at 3 months); ambulatory assessment including ESM (i.e., daily questionnaires); actigraphy (step count).

The aims of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Switch in two different settings (i.e., individual sessions and a group programme) on motivation/apathy and functional outcomes/quality of life. Furthermore, we wish to explore the effects of Switch on process related to motivation and goal-directed behaviours (e.g., pleasure anticipation, reminiscence, defeatist beliefs, activities' meaningfulness) and on activity (i.e., step count). Finally, we wish to evaluate the dynamics between the different cognitive, behavioural and emotional processes related to motivation and goal-directed behaviours.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-04-20
• Primary Completion: 2019-12-06
• Study Completion: 2020-02-27
• Status Verified: 2020-03
• Study First Submitted: 2020-03-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-03-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-03-25
• Study First Posted: 2020-03-27
• Last Update Posted: 2020-03-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 13

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V (DSM-V) criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar or major depressive disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
• Good understanding of French.

Exclusion Criteria

• Presenting an unstable clinical picture;
• Evidence of a significant change in medication within one month prior to baseline assessment;
• Having a history of severe brain trauma or epilepsy;
• Comorbid intellectual disability;
• Moderate or severe substance use disorder other than tobacco (according to the DSM-V; i.e., showing 4 or more symptoms).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Switch - i	Switch - Individual sessions	Individual sessions
Switch - g	Switch - Group programme	Group programme

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lille Apathy Rating Scale (patient version) (LARS-p)	2 months (post-intervention)	The LARS is a semi-structured interview designed to evaluate the different dimensions (cognitive, emotional and behavioural) of apathy in schizophrenia, through the following subscales: Everyday productivity, Interests, Taking initiatives, Novelty seeking, Voluntary actions, Emotional responses, Concern, Social life and Self-awareness. The total score ranges from -36 to 36 (\[-36; -22\] = absence of apathy; \[-21; -17\] = tendency towards apathy; \[-16; -10\] = moderate apathy; \[-9; 36\] = severe apathy).
Lille Apathy Rating Scale (informant version) (LARS-i)	6 months (follow-up)	The LARS is a semi-structured interview designed to evaluate the different dimensions (cognitive, emotional and behavioural) of apathy in schizophrenia, through the following subscales: Everyday productivity, Interests, Taking initiatives, Novelty seeking, Voluntary actions, Emotional responses, Concern, Social life and Self-awareness. The total score ranges from -36 to 36 (\[-36; -22\] = absence of apathy; \[-21; -17\] = tendency towards apathy; \[-16; -10\] = moderate apathy; \[-9; 36\] = severe apathy).
Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia (FROGS)	6 months (follow-up)	The FROGS is a measure of daily life outcomes, which evaluates level of functioning in 5 different domains: Daily life, Activities, Relationships, Quality of adaptation, and Health and treatment. The total score ranges from 19 to 95. The threshold score for remission is 61.
Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS)	6 months (follow-up)	There are 13 items that are scored from 0 to 6 (0 = no impairment; 1 = very slight; 2 = mild; 3 = moderate; 4 = moderately severe; 5 = marked; 6 = severe). The Expressive deficit factor includes the following subscales: Blunted affect (facial expression, vocal expression, expressive gestures) and Alogia (quantity of speech, spontaneous elaboration).Each item is scored from 0 to 6 (0 = no impairment; 1 = very slight; 2 = mild; 3 = moderate; 4 = moderately severe; 5 = marked; 6 = severe).
Schizophrenia - Quality of Life questionnaire	6 months (follow-up)	The S-QoL is a 41-item questionnaire that evaluates life satisfaction regarding psychological wellbeing, self-esteem, family relationships, relationships with friends, resilience, physical wellbeing, autonomy and sentimental life. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = much less satisfied than expected; 2 = less satisfied; 3 = slightly less satisfied; 4 = as satisfied; 5 = more satisfied). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, higher scores indicating better subjective quality of life.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Step count	Follow-up (14 days): 5 triggers/day	Daily step count (total per day) via an activity band.
Experience Sampling Method	Follow-up (14 days): 5 triggers/day	Questionnaire including 14 questions regarding mood, discouraging beliefs, coping, confidence, motivation, energy, social environment, current activity, initiation, present enjoyment, activity's meaning, effort, reminiscence, projection into the future. The questionnaires are sent 3 times (intervention phase) or 5 times per day (baseline, post-intervention and follow-up phases).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Liege; 🇧🇪 Liège, Belgium