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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06251193

Optimizing CBSST With Executive Function Training for Schizophrenia

The purpose of this research study to test a blended intervention that combines Executive Function Training with Cognitive-Behavioral Skills Training (E-CBSST). The aims include determining whether E-CBSST is feasible and increases Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) Skills Learning to a level that will lead to a clinically meaningful improvement in functioning.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Schizophrenia Mental Disorders Psychotic Disorders Schizoaffective Disorder Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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About this study

Older adults with schizophrenia are at risk for cognitive and functional decline leading to premature institutionalization. A large and increasing number of older people with schizophrenia will need more effective services. The investigators previously developed Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) and established its efficacy for preventing functional decline in people with schizophrenia. CBSST combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Social Skills Training (SST), and problem-solving intervention modules in an 18-session intervention that is repeated to practice the skills for a total of 36 sessions. The findings suggested that CBSST Skills Learning is an important mechanism of change in functioning in CBSST and that boosting executive function could boost CBSST Skills Learning, which could improve rather than only stabilize functioning. The investigators intend to test a blended intervention that combines CBSST and Executive Functioning Training (E-CBSST). In this open trial, 50 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder age 60 or older will be enrolled to receive E-CBSST for 20 weeks. E-CBSST will consist first of a 2-week Executive Function Training (EFT) course that includes 3 sessions per week of computerized exercises and strategy monitoring using a worksheet and assistance from a therapist. Participants will then complete 2 cycles of E-CBSST with 18 sessions each cycle, delivered twice a week, during which participants receive brief EFT at the start of CBSST group sessions. Outcome assessments will be administered at baseline, end of Executive Function Training course (Week 2), after session 18 (mid-trial; end of first cycle) and session 36 (end-trial; end of second cycle).

The aims of the study include determining if E-CBSST is feasible and increases CBSST Skills Learning to a level that will lead to a clinically meaningful improvement in functioning and to identify the minimum number of weeks of the intervention needed to produce this change. E-CBSST could become an evidence-based intervention that enhances and not only maintains function and, in turn, reduces personal and societal burden.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Voluntary informed consent to participate;
  • Age 60 years or older;
  • DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder based on the SCID;
  • Be clinically stable as operationalized by (1) not having been admitted to a psychiatric hospital within the three months prior to assessment, (2) having had no change in antipsychotic medication dosage within four weeks prior to the baseline assessment, and (3) and ascertained to be clinically and medically stable by one the study investigators;
  • Be willing and able to speak English;
  • Be able to read and converse (with corrected vision or hearing if needed).

Exclusion criteria

  • Meets criteria for a cognitive disorder or for a neurological or other medical disorder affecting the ability to participate in Executive Function Training or CBSST;
  • Meets diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder, current major depressive episode, or substance abuse or dependence within the six months prior to the baseline assessment except for caffeine or nicotine;
  • Received electroconvulsive therapy within six months of the baseline assessment.

Treatment and study plan

E-CBSST

Behavioral

E-CBSST is a blended intervention that combines Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training and Executive Function Training.

Primary outcomes

  1. Independent Living Skills Survey

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Independent Living Skills Survey (ILSS) assesses whether specific functioning behaviors have been performed over the past month in multiple areas: Personal Hygiene, Appearance and Care of Clothing, Care of Personal Possessions (everyday household chores), Food Preparation, Health Maintenance, Money Management, Transportation, and Leisure and Community (including socialization). Each item is rated from 0 (No) to 1 (Yes). Scales are summed to yield a total score. Higher scores represent a higher level of functioning.

  2. Comprehensive Modules Test

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Comprehensive Module Test (CMT) is an assessment of CBSST skills acquisition in three domains: Communication Skills Test, Problem Solving Test, and Thought Challenging Test. The total CMT score ranges from 0-33. Higher total scores represent higher level of CBSST skills acquisition.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Social Skills Performance Assessment

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA) is a role-play measure of social skill and ability to resolve interpersonal problems through conversation. The SSPA consists of role-play communication scenarios (conversation initiation and assertion), during which the participant interacts with a live confederate who plays a role (e.g., boss) in a problem-oriented situation (e.g., asking for a work shift change). Scores range from 2-10 with higher scores indicating better social skills.

  2. Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The BACS is a neuropsychological battery designed for use in schizophrenia clinical trials. The BACS assesses domains of neuropsychological impairment frequently observed in individuals with schizophrenia, including: verbal memory, working memory, motor speed, attention, executive functions and verbal fluency. Higher scores indicate better performance.

  3. Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) is a standardized set of tests to evaluate higher level cognitive functions. The Color-Word Interference subtest will be administered. Higher scores on this measure are indicative of greater executive functioning skills.

  4. Executive Interview

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Executive Interview (EXIT) is a bedside assessment of executive function scored from 0-50. Higher scores indicate greater executive dyscontrol.

  5. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is 30 item semi-structured clinical interview designed to assess positive and negative symptoms. The PANSS consists of 7 items on the positive symptom subscale, 7 items on the negative symptom subscale, and 16 items on the general psychopathology subscale. Each item in the subscale is rated from 0 (absence of symptom) to 7 (extreme symptom severity). Scores of each subscale are summed to yield a total score range of 30 (Absence of symptoms) to 210, where higher scores represent more severe symptoms.

  6. Geriatric Depression Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-report measure of depression in older adults. Scores range between 0 and 30 points. Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.

  7. Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G) is a comprehensive measure to assess for physical impairment in older adults. The measure takes into consideration the severity of chronic diseases in 14 items representing individual body systems. The cumulative final score ranges from 0 to 56 with higher scores indicating higher severity.

  8. Defeatest Performance Attitudes Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Defeatist Performance Attitude Scale (DPAS) is a self-report subscale derived from factor analysis of the commonly-used Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, which measures the tendency to overgeneralize from past failure experiences and form defeatist beliefs about the ability to perform future goal-directed tasks. Items are rated on a 1-7 Likert scale. A total score is reported with a range of 7 - 105 with higher total scores indicating more severe defeatist performance attitudes.

  9. Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) is a 13-item interview-based assessment of negative symptoms, and each item is rated from 0 (no impairment) to 4 (severe deficit) measuring the two negative symptom factors recommended in consensus reports: Expression and Motivation and Pleasure (MAP) across social, vocational and recreational domains. The CAINS is a 13-item interview-based assessment of negative symptoms, and each item is rated from 0 (no impairment) to 4 (severe deficit) measuring the two negative symptom factors recommended in consensus reports: Expression and Motivation and Pleasure (MAP) across social, vocational and recreational domains. Total scores for each factor are computed. The range for the MAP is 0 - 36, and the range for the Expression factor is 0 - 16. Higher scores indicate more severe negative symptoms for both factors.

  10. Birchwood Social Functioning Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, End of Executive Function Training (Week 2), Mid-Trial (Week 11), End-Trial (Week 20)

    The Birchwood Social Functioning Scale (SFS) is a self-report assessment of functioning with 7 subscales, and each item is rated from 0 to 3. The Prosocial Activities (0-66) subtest will be administered. Higher scores indicate better functioning.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Diego

Other

Collaborators

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Registry information

Official study title

Optimizing Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training With Executive Function Training for Older Adults With Schizophrenia

Acronym: E-CBSST

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 9, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 5, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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