Family-Directed Cognitive Adaptation Program for Individuals With Schizophrenia

Summary

This is a pilot study evaluating the feasibility of a new family-based intervention for schizophrenia. It is designed to help clients diagnosed with schizophrenia to overcome the devastating effects of neurocognitive deficits on everyday functioning (Family-Directed Cognitive Adaptation, FCA). Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are known to contribute to devastating functional impairments and caregiver burden, as clients rely on caregivers for help with basic living needs, such as personal hygiene, time management, social skills, and progress towards vocational and educational goals.

Specifically, we will 1) Develop a manualized, family treatment program designed to improve adaptive functioning of patients with schizophrenia, and 2) Conduct a pilot feasibility study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of this intervention, and to collect preliminary outcome data. This will lay the foundation for a controlled trial of the efficacy of the intervention. We expect that:

1. The FCA intervention will be well-received and well-tolerated by clients and families, as demonstrated by a high level of interest in the program, a low rate of attrition, and a high rate of participant satisfaction.
2. Client participants in the FCA intervention will show improvements in adaptive, independent-living skills (e.g., personal hygiene and self-care, medication management, time management, social skills, and responsibility for health maintenance) that will be maintained three and six months following completion of the intervention.
3. Family members participating in the FCA program will show reduced burden of care and time spent caregiving, greater satisfaction in their relationship with the client, improved self-efficacy in the caregiver role, and reduced psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, and hopelessness) at the completion of the program and at three and six-month follow-up interviews.

Conditions

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Schizophreniform Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Family-Directed Cognitive Adaptation Program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Harvard University

  collaborator OTHER

• Commonwealth Research Center, Massachusetts

  collaborator OTHER

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Larry J. Seidman, Ph.D. · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

• Michelle S. Friedman-Yakoobian, Ph.D. · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2005-02-28

Primary Completion

2015-02-28

Completion

2015-02-28

Countries

• United States

Study Locations