Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training for Improving Social Functioning in People With Schizophrenia
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST)Behavioral: Goal-focused supportive contact (GFSC)Behavioral: Social Skills TrainingBehavioral: Goal Setting
- Registration Number
- NCT00338975
- Lead Sponsor
- Veterans Medical Research Foundation
- Brief Summary
This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training versus goal-focused supportive contact in improving social functioning in people with schizophrenia.
- Detailed Description
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don't hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These symptoms make it difficult for people with schizophrenia to interact normally and establish healthy social relationships with others. Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) is a group behavioral therapy intervention that focuses on improving cognitive and metacognitive impairments and social skills deficits that interfere with normal functioning in people with schizophrenia. Goal-focused supportive contact (GFSC) is a group therapy intervention that focuses on helping people with schizophrenia to verbalize their problems or worries and to seek advice from fellow group members. This study evaluated the effectiveness of CBSST versus GFSC in improving social functioning in people with schizophrenia. The study will assessed changes in cognition, psychotic symptoms, and use of psychiatric healthcare services.
Participants in this open label study were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: treatment as usual (TAU) plus CBSST or TAU plus GFSC. Both interventions consist of 2-hour therapy sessions weekly for 36 weeks. Groups receiving each intervention do not exceed ten people. CBSST integrates cognitive therapy, social skills training, and neurocognitive compensatory aids. Cognitive therapy helps participants challenge unhelpful thoughts and build communication and problem-solving skills. Participants receive workbooks that describe the skills and contain homework assignments. GFSC focuses on empowering participants to share problems, worries, or concerns with others who face similar issues. Participants share advice with each other, but therapists do not teach skills. Outcomes were be assessed at Months 4.5, 9, 15, and 21 for all participants.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 179
- DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder at any stage of illness
- Level of care required at baseline interferes with outpatient group therapy participation (e.g., partial or inpatient hospitalization for psychiatric illness, substance use, or physical illness)
- No case manager or care coordinator
- Medically or psychiatrically unstable for outpatient therapy
- Exposure to social skills training (SST), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) within 5 years prior to study entry
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description 1 Goal Setting Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) 1 Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) 1 Social Skills Training Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) 2 Goal-focused supportive contact (GFSC) Goal-Focused Supportive Contact (GFSC) 2 Goal Setting Goal-Focused Supportive Contact (GFSC)
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Social Functioning Measured at baseline and Months 9 and 21 Independent Living Skills Survey (ILSS), PSR Toolkit, Maryland Assessment of Social Competence (MASC)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Neuropsychological functioning Measured at baseline and Months 9 and 21 Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS; 20 Questions, Card Sort, Word Context), Trails A \& B, Letter Number Sequencing, Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) Spatial Span, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT)
Psychotic symptoms Measured at baseline and Months 4.5, 9, 15, and 21 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scales (PSY-RATS), Paranoia Scale, Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R)
Cognitive insight Measured at baseline and Months 4.5, 9, 15, and 21 Birchwood Insight Scale, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
VA San Diego Healthcare System
🇺🇸San Diego, California, United States