Efficacy of Social Cognition Training in Schizophrenia

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Schizophrenia

In brief

The term social cognition refers to how social information is processed. Individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have been shown to have significant deficits in social cognition. Moreover, it has been speculated that these deficits may in turn have a negative impact on their overall functioning. Behavioral interventions targeting social cognition are just beginning to emerge, and there is a need to evaluate their efficacy. Objectives: This is a small trial evaluating the efficacy of social cognition interaction training (SCIT) an experimental behavioral treatment for improving social cognition in schizophrenia. Research Design and Methodology: Approximately 48 participants with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders will be randomized into one of two conditions: 1) a 20 to 24 session manualized social cognition interaction training group (SCIT), or 2) wait-list control. Pre-and post-group therapy assessments of symptoms, social cognition, basic cognition, and community function will be conducted. Data obtained from this study will allow us to determine the efficacy of SCIT training in improving symptom, cognitive, and functional measures.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00587561

Run by

VA Connecticut Healthcare System

People needed

51

Starts

2008-01-01

Expected to finish

2023-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-10-03

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Age between 18 and 65
• minimum of 30 days since discharge from last hospitalization
• minimum of 30 days since last change in psychiatric medications
• no housing changes in the past 30 days

You may not qualify if…

• current diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse/dependence
• history of brain trauma or neurological disease
• mental retardation or developmental disability
• auditory or visual impairment that would interfere with study procedures

Where it is running

• Connecticut Mental Health Center — New Haven, Connecticut, United States
• VA Connecticut Healthcare System — West Haven, Connecticut, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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