Treatment Response to Rehabilitation in Patients With Schizophrenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will examine the ways in which schizophrenia-related symptoms affect response to a rehabilitation program for people with schizophrenia.

Detailed Description
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Patients with schizophrenia often suffer neurocognitive impairment and psychosocial and vocational difficulties. This study will help identify those patients most likely to benefit from existing behavioral treatments and provide clues for how to modify treatments for those who do not benefit. Two studies will be conducted. The first will investigate the relationship of symptoms and neurocognitive variables at study entry to psychosocial and vocational status 2 years later. The second study will investigate the relationship of symptoms and neurocognitive variables at study entry to treatment response in patients assigned to either a cognitive remediation track or a computer skills track as part of their rehabilitation treatment. Both the cognitive remediation and computer skills training programs will last 4 to 6 months. Participants will be assessed pre- and post-treatment. Neuropsychological, psychosocial and vocational status will be measured.

Official Title
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Treatment Response to Rehabilitation in Schizophrenia

Conditions
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Schizophrenia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Cognitive Remediation
* Behavioral: Computer-skills training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder In need of intensive outpatient care Treatment with atypical antipsychotic medication for a minimum of 6 months prior to study entry Exclusion Criteria: Auditory or visual impairment Mental retardation (IQ less than 70) Traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness Presence or history of any neurological illness that may affect brain physiology Lack of proficiency in English Concurrent substance abuse and/or dependence

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 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


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>Participants will receive cognitive remediation treatment. | Behavioral: Cognitive Remediation<br>* A computerized cognitive rehabilitation treatment with day-program activities<br>|
| Experimental: 2<br>Participants will receive computer-skills training. | Behavioral: Computer-skills training<br>* A computerized cognitive rehabilitation treatment with day-program activities<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neuropsychological test battery, including measures of visual, verbal memory, and problem-solving abilities |  | Measured pre- and post-treatment | 
| Schizophrenia symptoms |  | Measured pre- and post-treament | 
| UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment |  | Measured pre- and post-treatment |