What the Nose Knows: Hedonic Capacity, Psychosocial Interventions and Outcomes in Schizophrenia

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center134 enrolled

Overview

This project proposes to conduct the first study of the predictive utility of olfactory hedonic measurement for targeted psychosocial rehabilitation in schizophrenia. The information gathered from the project is of considerable public health relevance, in that, through simple, reliable olfactory assessment, it will provide knowledge about which individuals are most likely to benefit from these psychosocial interventions. Such information is crucial for tailoring existing interventions and developing new approaches to optimize outcomes in schizophrenia.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

134

Conditions

Schizophrenia

Interventions

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy

CET's group-based exercises are delivered for 1.5 hours each week in a group of 6-8 participants led by a clinician and an assistant, for one year. During each of three modules (basic concepts, social cognition, CET applications), the groups focus on acquisition of adult social milestones in perspective-taking, social context appraisal, and other aspects of social cognition, with psychoeducational lectures, homework assignments, and in-group exercises. Weekly supervision sessions for the clinician trainers will include review of how patients respond to the different demands of computer-based training and group-based exercises and guidance about improving engagement in both.

Social Skills TrainingBEHAVIORAL

The psychosocial component involves weekly skills training classes delivered over one year, with modules including "Communicating Effectively," "Making and Keeping Friends," "Making the Most of Leisure Time," "Healthy Living," "Using Medications Effectively," and "Making the Most of a Health Care Visit" (Pratt et al., 2008). Participants attend two sessions each week (normally morning and afternoon of the same day): a 90-minute session focused on a specific skill and a 60-minute session in which the specific skill is used in role-play exercises.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. age 18 to 65; 2. DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder Exclusion Criteria: 1. the presence of a current organic brain syndrome; 2. a current and severe substance use disorder (DSM-5); 3. intellectual disability (DSM-5)