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Measuring functional outcomes in schizophrenia in an increasingly digital world
Anja Searle1, Luke Allen1, Millie Lowther1,2
1Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9TU, UK.
Schizophrenia Research. Cognition
|April 21, 2022
Summary
Current functional status assessments for schizophrenia trials are limited. Emerging digital tools offer more sensitive measures of functional improvement, aiding the development of new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Schizophrenia treatment lacks effective interventions for cognitive and negative symptoms.
- Functional status is a critical outcome measure in clinical trials for schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review functional assessment methods used in schizophrenia clinical trials.
- To identify challenges with current functional outcome measures.
- To explore the potential of digital assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- Review of commonly used functional assessment tools in schizophrenia research.
- Discussion of challenges in reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.
- Introduction of emerging real-time digital assessment technologies.
Main Results:
- Existing measures (informant-, clinician-rated, capacity assessments) are valid but have limitations.
- Current tools often fail to detect small, meaningful functional changes in short trials.
- Digital tools (passive data, real-time assessments) show promise for enhanced sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Improved functional outcome measures are needed for schizophrenia intervention trials.
- Digital assessment tools could provide more sensitive and fine-grained data on functional status.
- Development of these tools can aid in evaluating new treatments for schizophrenia.
