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Comparative Effectiveness of CET vs. SST in SMI (Serious Mental Illness)

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
Interventions
Behavioral: Social Skills Training
Behavioral: Cognitive Enhancement Therapy
Registration Number
NCT04321759
Lead Sponsor
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Brief Summary

To compare two evidence-based treatments, Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) and Social Skills Training (SST) that have been shown in meta-analyses and in our own research to be effective to improve community functioning. The investigators will test the impact of CET and SST on community functioning, with special attention to their relative effectiveness for patients differing in baseline cognitive skills and age. The research uses a cluster design in which different mental health service centers are randomized to one of the two treatments.

Detailed Description

Aim 1. We will test our hypothesis that CET will be associated with greater improvements than SST in both the primary outcome: community functioning (SAS, QLS), and the secondary outcomes of neuro- and social cognition (NIH Toolbox, PennCNB, and MSCEIT) and social skills (SSPA). For study Aim 1, we hypothesized that CET will be associated with greater improvements than SST in both the primary outcome: community functioning (SAS, QLS), and the secondary outcomes of neuro- and social cognition (selected NIH Toolbox and Penn CNB measures, and MSCEIT) and social skills (SSPA). Aim 2: We will explore differential effectiveness of the two interventions by baseline cognitive functioning and age. For Aim 2, we hypothesize that patients with less impairment in cognitive functioning at baseline will demonstrate relatively larger treatment gains in SST compared to those in CET than those who are initially more cognitively impaired, and that younger patients will benefit more from CET compared to those in SST than those who are older. The results of this study will address a key knowledge gap in the field and a decisional dilemma for clinicians. A pilot study at four treatment sites will be used to test the feasibility and acceptability of telementalhealth delivery of these two treatments, as compared to in-person delivery.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
378
Inclusion Criteria
  1. age 18 to 65;
  2. DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder (confirmed via the MINI diagnostic interview);
  3. estimated IQ of > 70 (established via WTAR).
Exclusion Criteria
  1. the presence of a current organic brain syndrome;
  2. intellectual disability (DSM-5);
  3. participation in either CET or SST within the prior year.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Social Skills TrainingSocial Skills TrainingThe HOPES social rehabilitation program uses the principles of SST (modeling, role playing, positive and corrective feedback, homework assignments, in vivo skills practice), designed to improve both psychosocial functioning and preventive health..
Cognitive Enhancement TherapyCognitive Enhancement TherapyCET is a comprehensive manualized cognitive remediation program designed to maximize gains in social functioning by integrating computer-based training to enhance neurocognition with group-based exercises to improve social cognition.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Social Adjustment Scale IIMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Measure of social functioning

Change in Social Skills Performance AssessmentMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Measure of social functioning using role played scenarios

Change in Heinrich Quality of Life ScaleMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Measure of social functioning

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Picture Sequence MemoryMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of visual/episodic memory \& learning in NIH Toolbox

Change in Auditory Verbal Learning TestMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of verbal ability in NIH Toolbox

Change in Picture VocabularyMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of language in NIH Toolbox

Change in Penn Digit Symbol TestMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of speed of processing in PennCNB

Change in List Sorting Working MemoryMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of working memory in NIH Toolbox

Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS-6Measurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Short form of measure of positive and negative symptoms

Change in Oral Reading RecognitionMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of language in NIH Toolbox

Change in Penn Mouse Practice TestMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of speed of processing in PennCNB

Change in Penn Conditional Exclusion TestMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of reasoning \& problem solving in PennCNB

Change in Penn Continuous Performance TestMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Neurocognition measure of reasoning \& problem solving in PennCNB

Change in Managing EmotionsMeasurement at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Subscale of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT)

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

Massachusetts Mental Health Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Hartford Hospital - Institute of Living

🇺🇸

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

UMass Medical School

🇺🇸

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Maine Medical Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Maine, United States

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