Mindfulness, Empathy and the Oxytocinergic System in Persons With Schizophrenia (OXYGEN)
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- be aged between 18 and 65
- meet diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20.X) ascertained by a trained psychiatrist
- sufficient German language proficiency to engage with the intervention
- no recent (<4 weeks) major change in psychopharmacologic medication
- be able to give written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- a score of 7 on any item of the positive scale of PANSS, suggesting severe psychotic symptoms
- acute suicidality
- current substance use other than nicotine
- neurological disorders or brain damages
Sites / Locations
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin FranklinRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Mindfulness-based Group Therapy (MBGT+TAU)
Treatment as Usual
Participants randomized into the experimental condition attend MBGT for four weeks in addition to regular university hospital outpatient treatment as usual (TAU). Overall, the core modules of the program are based on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, taking into account both Chadwick's recommendations for implementing mindfulness in psychosis as well as patient feedback. Each week, a new topic is introduced to enhance the understanding of four core aspects of mindfulness (breath, senses, detachment, and body awareness). The therapy sessions will be held by a psychotherapist in training in cognitive behavioral therapy with over three years of experience in mindfulness practice and supervised by a psychotherapist with more than a decade of experience in mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches. Within the sessions, short periods of meditation are used to avoid prolonged periods of silence, and basic anchoring techniques and easy-to-understand language are used.
All participants will be recruited from the outpatient facility at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin and therefore, the heterogeneity of the obtained treatment options can be limited. As the standard procedure in our outpatient facility, patients will be seen monthly by a psychiatrist as well as individual sessions by a psychotherapist or psychiatric nurse (1:2 ratio). Hence, regardless of the study condition, all participants will obtain high standard health care at a renowned university hospital outpatient facility according to official national and international treatment guidelines providing pharmacological therapy, psychological consultation, and, on-demand, psychosocial support by social workers. The amount of psychotherapy received and on-demand psychosocial support will be recorded during the study period.