Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective: Controlled Study of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Targeting Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Contact name: Cori Cather, Ph.D.

Phone: (617)-912-7891

Fax: (617)-912-7820

Email: ccather@partners.org

Disorder: schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with prominent negative symptoms

Geographic location: Boston, MA

Other keywords: schizophrenia, schizoaffective, negative symptoms, Boston

Participant compensation: $90

Time commitment required: 12 weeks of active treament with one assessment visit one month later

Drug trial: No

Recruitment end date (approximate): February 3, 2006

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
1. Outpatients between 18-65 years of age
2. Diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
3. Prominent negative symptoms (SANS > 25)
4. English speaking
5. Adequate adherence to prescribed medication

Exclusion criteria:
1. History of neuropsychiatric disorder or developmental disability
2. History of a substance use disorder within the past 3 months

Brief description of study:
This study aims to compare the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with routine care in the treatment of negative symptoms. Patients will be randomly assigned to routine care or CBT as an adjunct to current pharmacological and psychosocial treatment. Participants assigned to CBT will receive 12 sessions of individual therapy and 4 sessions of skills group. Participants will be assessed by an independent evaluator (blind to treatment condition) at three time points: baseline, end of treatment (week 12), and 1-month follow-up (week 16).

Additional information: