Complex Problem Solving Training in Schizophrenic Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary purpose of the study is to assess whether a planning and problem-solving training is more effective in improving work therapy performance in patients with schizophrenia than traditional training programs addressing basic cognitive functions.

Detailed Description
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In patients with schizophrenia, cognitive deficits often lead to an impairment in daily life. This observation has led to the development of cognitive training packages aiming a improving these deficits. However, it is far from clear which level of cognitive functioning provides the best target for cognitive interventions. Traditionally, training has aimed a basic cognitive functions like attention and memory. In the present study we aim at a higher-level of function, namely planning and problem-solving skills, which are trained using the software package Plan-A-Day. The primary hypothesis is that complex problem solving training improved functional capacity more than traditional training programs addressing basic cognitive function.

Official Title
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Complex Problem Solving Training in Schizophrenic Patients

Conditions
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Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Complex Problem Solving Training
* Behavioral: Basic Cognitive Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with schizophrenic or schizoaffective Disorder (DSM IV) Remitted positive symptoms (PANSS positive all ≤ 4), clinical stability Native German speaker Verbal IQ > 80 Visual acuity normal or corrected to normal Exclusion Criteria: Concurrent Axis-I disorder Drug abuse during last 2 months Neurological or medical conditions potentially affecting cognition

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: A<br>Complex Problem Solving Training | Behavioral: Complex Problem Solving Training<br>* 10 sessions of 45 minutes complex problem solving training over 3 weeks (including 30 minutes of computerized planning and problem-solving training with Plan-A-Day and 15 minutes group session for transfer to everyday situations)<br>|
| Active Comparator: B<br>Basic Cognitive Training | Behavioral: Basic Cognitive Training<br>* 10 sessions over 3 weeks of 45 min basic cognitive training (including 45 min computerized training of attention, processing speed, memory)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Functional Capacity as assessed by Osnabrücker Arbeitsfähigkeitsprofil learning ability subscale |  | 3 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Functional Capacity as assessed by the Osnabrücker-Arbeitsfähigkeitsprofil summary score |  | 3 weeks | 
| BADS Zoo Map Score (Neuropsychological Test) |  | 3 weeks | 
| Planungstest (Tower of London) Summary Score (Neuropsychological Test) |  | 3 weeks | 
| Plan-A-Day S Solution Time (Neuropsychological Test) |  | 3 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cognitive Training, Complex Problem Solving, Goal Management, Planning