Screening Adolescents for Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are chronic and debilitating mental illnesses characterised by both cognitive impairments and sleep deficits. In this systematic review protocol, we outline an approach to examine the available literature investigating the relationship between sleep and cognition in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Randomised controlled trial of Compensatory Cognitive Training and a Computerised Cognitive Remediation programme

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-020-04743-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Frances Dark ◽

Ellie Newman ◽

Victoria Gore-Jones ◽

Veronica De Monte ◽

Marta I. Garrido ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Cognitive Interventions ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Compensation and adaptation therapies have been developed to improve community functioning via improving neurocognitive abilities in people with schizophrenia. Various modes of delivering compensation and adaptation therapies have been found to be effective. The aim of this trial is to compare two different cognitive interventions, Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition–Training for Schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS). The trial also aims to identify if mismatch negativity (MMN) can predict an individual’s response to the compensation and adaptation programmes. Methods This study will use a randomised, controlled trial of two cognitive interventions to compare the impact of these programmes on measures of neurocognition and function. One hundred clinically stable patients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder will be recruited. Participants will be randomised to either the CCT or the CIRCuiTS therapy groups. The outcome measures are neurocognition (BACS), subjective sense of cognitive impairment (SSTICS), social functioning (SFS), and MMN (measured by EEG) in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Discussion This trial will determine whether different approaches to addressing the cognitive deficits found in schizophrenia spectrum disorders are of comparable benefit using the outcome measures chosen. This has implications for services where cost and lack of computer technology limit the implementation and dissemination of interventions to address cognitive impairment in routine practice. The trial will contribute to the emerging evidence of MMN as a predictor of response to cognitive interventions. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618000161224. Registered on 2 February 2018. Protocol version: 4.0, 18 June 2018.

Empathy and perceived burden in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06258-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rosaria Di Lorenzo ◽

Anna Girone ◽

Nunzio Panzera ◽

Gianluca Fiore ◽

Margherita Pinelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Community ◽

Mental Health Center ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Cronbach’S Alpha ◽

Emotional Empathy ◽

Cronbach's Alpha ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Spearman Test

Abstract Background Caregivers of patients load different kinds of burdens, including emotional distress. Aims of this study were to evaluate both burden and empathy of caregivers who assist patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Methods We selected a sample of 60 caregivers (34 women and 26 men), who assisted patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated in our local Community Mental Health Center for a 1-year minimum period. We administered two scales to our sample, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES), and collected data of caregivers and their assisted patients in a 3-month period. Data were statistically analyzed. Results We reported a mean ZBI score of 49.68 (±15.03 SD) and a mean BEES score of 14.35 (±9.05 SD), indicating the perception of moderate-severe burden and low level of empathy, respectively. The analysis of internal consistency confirmed the good reliability of both ZBI (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90) and BEES (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77). The correlation between the two scales was not statistically significant at Spearman test. At our multiple linear regression, many variables of both caregiver and patient showed a significant correlation with the ZBI score. In particular, not living with the assisted patient and female gender of caregiver potentially decreased the burden, whereas clinical severity of assisted patient and two caregiver conditions, middle school education and spouse relationship with patient, could worsen the burden. We highlighted two positive statistically significant correlations between the total score of BEES and caregiver characteristics: being spouse and not living with assisted patient. Conclusions Our study highlights that the caregiver burden of patients with severe psychiatric disorders is high and is associated with low emotional empathy experienced by caregivers, probably due to a defensive psychological mechanism. The conditions of spouse and cohabitation can concomitantly increase both empathy and burden in caregivers.

Interrelationships between Depressive Symptoms and Positive and Negative Symptoms of Recent Onset Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Network Analytical Approach

Journal of Psychiatric Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.05.038 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah E. Herniman ◽

Lisa J. Phillips ◽

Stephen J. Wood ◽

Sue M. Cotton ◽

Edith J. Liemburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Analytical Approach ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Recent Onset ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Positive And Negative Symptoms

Cannabis use and clinical outcome in people with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders over 24 months of treatment

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114022 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 114022

Author(s):

Freda Scheffler ◽

Lebogang Phahladira ◽

Hilmar Luckhoff ◽

Stefan du Plessis ◽

Laila Asmal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

First Episode ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia

Development of a suspicion index for secondary schizophrenia using the Delphi method

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00048674211025715 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000486742110257

Author(s):

Olivier Bonnot ◽

Jose Luis Insua ◽

Mark Walterfang ◽

Juan Vincente Torres ◽

Stefan Armin Kolb

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Differential Distribution ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Aids Diagnosis ◽

Suspicion Index

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a suspicion index that aids diagnosis of secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorders in regular clinical practice. Method: We used the Delphi method to rate and refine questionnaire items in consecutive rounds. Differences in mean expert responses for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorders populations allowed to define low/middle/high predictive items, which received different weights. Algorithm performance was tested in 198 disease profiles by means of sensitivity and specificity. Results: Twelve experts completed the Delphi process, and consensus was reached in 19/24 (79.2%) items for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 17/24 (70.8%) for secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We assigned rounded values to each item category according to their predictive potential. A differential distribution of scores was observed between schizophrenia spectrum disorders and secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorders when applying the suspicion index for validation to 198 disease profiles. Sensitivity and specificity analyses allowed to set a >8/10/16 risk prediction score as a threshold to consider medium/high/very high suspicion of secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Conclusion: Our final outcome was the Secondary Schizophrenia Suspicion Index, the first paper-based and reliable algorithm to discriminate secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorders from schizophrenia spectrum disorders with the potential to help improve the detection of secondary schizophrenia spectrum disorder cases in clinical practice.