Cognitive Rehabilitation in Schizophrenia
Cognitive Impairment, Schizophrenia
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Cognitive Impairment focused on measuring Cognitive Impairment, Rehabilitation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Between the ages of 18-65. Stable medication regime (no changes in last 30 days)Minimum of 30 days since last hospitalization. No hx of TBI Exclusion Criteria: Current Substance abuse, no comorbid neurological disease
Sites / Locations
- VA Connecticut Health Care System (West Haven)
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
CRT + Skills Training
ICBCR and Skills Training
Skills Group Control
The intervention is call Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) with a skill development group. Participants receive 15 weeks of cognitive training (with intake, 15 and 30 week assessment). This intervention is reliant upon didactic exchanges between trainer and participant, minimizing error, and behavioral modeling with the goal of developing better meta-cognitive skills. Procedures include paper and pencil activities (memory, planning and cognitive flexibility training) which are organized by difficulty. Sessions are organized to have a discussion between the trainer and the participant about the task and strategies, trainer modeling with articulation of strategy a participant attempts the task, talking aloud the steps, and finally the participant practices the task covertly. The trainer has the role of "error catcher and model." All subjects randomized to this condition also are receiving the weekly skills group (SDG)offered to participants in all experimental conditions.
This intervention is Individualized Computer Based Cognitive Remediation (ICBCR) and skills development group (SDG). Participants receive 15 weeks of computerized training (with intake, 15 and 30 week assessments). This intervention relies upon intense, frequent, repetition of tasks being made incrementally more challenging. Computer tasks are organized so that the initial trials are easily completed and more challenging levels are then attempted. Parameters such as duration of task, task speed, and intra-task variables all be are manipulated. A trainer will be present at each session to help set up the computer tasks and answer questions. Besides the first two sessions that will be orientation sessions, the trainer has little involvement during the training sessions. The role of the trainer is to help organize, support, and provide feedback to each participant. All subjects randomized to this condition also are receiving the weekly skills group (SDG).
The control intervention is call the skills development group (SDG) and is augmented with up to five individual contacts with research staff. The Skills Group (SDG) control is standard care group which will receive 15 weeks of the skills development group (SDG) similar to that offered as a clinical service at the VA Medical Center. During the 15 weeks participants will attend 1.5 hours of skills group per week. The 15 sessions will include skills training related to: a) cooking and food preparation, b) negotiating the local transportation system, c) shopping, and d) planning leisure activities. The training activities are a blend of didactic learning, modeling and finally in vivo practice. Participants in this group will also be offered up to five weekly contacts with staff to balance out factors related to meeting with staff in the other conditions.