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RC2S+: Remediation of Social Cognitive Impairments

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Schizophrenia
Interventions
Behavioral: RC2S+
Behavioral: active comparator
Registration Number
NCT02976077
Lead Sponsor
Hôpital le Vinatier
Brief Summary

Background:

Difficulties in social interactions are a central characteristic of people with schizophrenia, and can be partly explained by impairments of social cognitive processes. According to renown researchers, three to five social cognitive processes are usually altered in schizophrenia: (1) emotional processing; (2) theory of mind (ToM); (3) attributional style; and (4 and 5) social perception and knowledge. The components of social cognition appear to be related to both symptomatology and functioning in everyday life.

New strategies of cognitive remediation have been recently developed to target these deficits and few meta analyses have assessed the extent to which social cognitive remediation programs have led to multiple improvements for schizophrenia patients. Overall, it seems that such therapies showed encouraging results in both patient interest and motivation, and social cognitive processes.

The RC2S therapy is the first individualized and partly computerized program through which patients practice social interactions and develop social cognitive abilities with simulation techniques in a realistic environment.

Detailed Description

Methods:

This is a randomized controlled trial to establish the validity of the RC2S+ program in schizophrenia.

The project's main objective is to assess the impact of RC2S+ on social cognitive impairments in schizophrenia compared with a cognitive remediation program (control therapy) focusing on neurocognition, equivalent in terms of number, duration and rhythm of sessions.

The study has four other objectives:

1. To assess the influence of the RC2S+ therapy versus control therapy on neurocognitive processes

2. To assess the impact of the RC2S+ therapy versus control therapy on social functioning

3. To assess the impact of the RC2S+ therapy versus control therapy on both positive and negative symptoms

4. To study the maintenance of benefits 3 months forward

Outcomes:

To treat social cognitive impairments in people with schizophrenia.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 18-45 years old
  • Diagnosis of schizophrenia assessed with DSM5 criteria (APA, 2013)
  • No modification of psychotropic treatment during the month before inclusion (variation of 20% of the dose is tolerated
  • French native language or education in a French school since the first year of primary school
  • Consent to participate to the study and agreement of the legal guardian
  • Patients who have not benefited from cognitive remediation during the three months before inclusion
Exclusion Criteria
  • Substance use disorder (criteria of DSM-5), except for caffeine and tobacco
  • Neurologic disorders (vascular, infectious or neurodegenerative)
  • Uncorrected visual deficit
  • Medical drugs with cerebral or psychological effect (e.g, corticosteroids)
  • Patients resistant to antipsychotic medication
  • Pregnancy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
RC2S+RC2S+RC2S+ Preparation sessions (sessions 1 \& 2): * Functional Outcomes Scale - Social Cognition (ERF-CS) * Psychoeducation about social cognitive impairments * Concrete objectives Cognitive remediation (sessions 3 to 22): * Paper-and-pencil session * Simulation session * Home-based task Transfer sessions (sessions 23 \& 24): * Transfer of skills in dayly life - generalization * Assessment of the achievement of objectives
Control therapyactive comparatorControl therapy Preparation sessions (sessions 1 \& 2): * Functional Outcomes Scale - Neurocognition * Psychoeducation about cognitive impairments * Concrete objectives Cognitive remediation (sessions 3 to 24): * Paper-and-pencil session * Simulation session * Home-based task
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in the HB (Hostility Bias) scoreweek 12

AIHQ (Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in social functioningweek 12

FEFSF (First Episode Social Functioning Scale)

Change from baseline in symptoms at week 12week 12

PANSS (Positive And Negative Symptoms Scale)

Change from baseline in episodic verbal learning and memoryweek 12

CVLT( California Verbal Learning Test),

Change from baseline in visual attention and task switchingweek 12

TMT( Trial Making Test)

Change from baseline in executive functioning at week 12week 12

FNART(French National Adult reading Test)

Change from baseline in social cognitiveweek 12

ACSO ( Self-Assessment Scale of Social Cognition Disorders)

Change from baseline in visuospatial abilities at week 12week 12

TMT( Trial making Test)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

centre de réhabilitation - Hôpital le Vinatier

🇫🇷

Lyon, Rhône, France

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