Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training for Improving Social Functioning in People With Schizophrenia

Summary

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training versus goal-focused supportive contact in improving social functioning in people with schizophrenia.

Conditions

• Schizophrenia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST)

There are 36 weekly group sessions, each session is 2 hours in length, with a half-hour break after the first hour. The intervention integrates CBT and SST techniques and neurocognitive compensatory aids. All participants are asked to identify a goal. The SST components are based, in part, on a pre-packaged SST intervention available from Psychiatric Rehabilitation Consultants. The CBT components are based on techniques developed for CBT in general and techniques developed specifically for patients with schizophrenia. Cognitive therapy is combined with role-play practice of communication skills and problem-solving training.

BEHAVIORAL

Goal-focused supportive contact (GFSC)

There are 36 weekly group sessions, each 2 hours in length, with a half-hour break after the first hour. GFSC has a number of specific goals and interventions, including providing a safe environment where the patient can discuss her/his feelings and concerns; to validate these feelings and concerns; and to provide support and guidance to the client so that she/he can make progress to solving problems or alleviating concerns and worries. Psychotic symptoms and cognition are not directly targeted. Therapists utilize "non-specific" therapeutic techniques, including providing unconditional positive regard, reflective listening, encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Therapists do not develop a formulation or teach skills.

BEHAVIORAL

Social Skills Training

The SST components are based, in part, on a pre-packaged SST intervention available from Psychiatric Rehabilitation Consultants. Participants engage in role plays and problem solving.

BEHAVIORAL

Goal Setting

All participants are asked to identify a personally meaningful goal as soon as possible in therapy. Over the 36 weeks, participants in CBSST learn skills related to goal attainment, while participants in GFSC do not receive skills aimed at goal attainment, but are encouraged to discuss their goals .

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Veterans Medical Research Foundation

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eric L. Granholm, PhD · VA San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2005-06-30

Primary Completion

2011-02-28

Completion

2011-02-28

Countries

• United States

Study Locations