Cognitive adaptation training combined with assertive community treatment: a randomised longitudinal trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT) shows promise for improving social functioning in schizophrenia patients.
• No prior studies have investigated the combination of CAT with Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of CAT in conjunction with ACT for outpatients with schizophrenia.
• Primary outcomes included social functions, symptoms, relapse rates, re-hospitalisation, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A parallel, randomised, multicentre trial involving 62 first-episode schizophrenia outpatients.
• Participants were assigned to either CAT+ACT or ACT alone, with CAT delivered in-home.
• Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed between the CAT+ACT group and the ACT alone group at 6- and 9-month follow-ups for any outcome measures.
• Specifically, Global Assessment of Functioning and the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales social subscale showed no significant group differences.

Conclusions:

• This study found no significant benefits of adding CAT to ACT for schizophrenia patients, contrary to previous CAT trial findings.
• A limited sample size may have contributed to these results.
• Further investigation is warranted to determine if specific CAT elements can enhance ACT's cost-effectiveness.