Social cognition enhancement training for schizophrenia: a preliminary randomized controlled trial

Community Ment Health J. 2006 Apr;42(2):177-87. doi: 10.1007/s10597-005-9023-6.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether social cognition enhancement training (SCET) is effective in improving social context appraisal and perspective-taking abilities of patients with schizophrenia. A total of 34 patients were randomly assigned to receive SCET plus standard psychiatric rehabilitation training or standard psychiatric rehabilitation training only. SCET was conducted twice weekly on a group basis for 6 months. Some social cognitive abilities were improved rapidly after 2-month treatment whereas some improved only after 6-month treatment. These results show promise for the impact of SCET on the social cognitive functioning of individuals with chronic schizophrenia, and further investigation is merited.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Community Mental Health Services / methods*
  • Emotions
  • Facial Expression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Recognition, Psychology
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / rehabilitation*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wechsler Scales

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents