Complex Problem Solving Training in Schizophrenic Patients

Heidelberg University91 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder

Interventions

Complex Problem Solving TrainingBEHAVIORAL

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)

Basic Cognitive TrainingBEHAVIORAL

10 sessions over 3 weeks of 45 min basic cognitive training (including 45 min computerized training of attention, processing speed, memory)

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach

Karlsbad, Germany

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Functional Capacity as assessed by Osnabrücker Arbeitsfähigkeitsprofil "learning ability" subscale

Time frame: 3 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Functional Capacity as assessed by the Osnabrücker-Arbeitsfähigkeitsprofil summary score

Time frame: 3 weeks

BADS Zoo Map Score (Neuropsychological Test)

Time frame: 3 weeks

Planungstest (Tower of London) Summary Score (Neuropsychological Test)

Time frame: 3 weeks

Plan-A-Day S Solution Time (Neuropsychological Test)

Time frame: 3 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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