A Novel Multimodal Speech-Gesture Training and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Neural Processing in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Riedl ◽  
Arne Nagels ◽  
Gebhard Sammer ◽  
Momoko Choudhury ◽  
Annika Nonnenmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Neural Processing ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum

Introduction: Dysfunctional social communication is one of the most stable characteristics in patients with schizophrenia that severely affects quality of life. Interpreting abstract speech and integrating nonverbal information is particularly affected which has been associated with neural dysfunctions in temporal lobe regions. Objectives: Considering the difficulty to treat communication dysfunctions with usual intervention, we investigated the possibility to improve quality of life and co-verbal gesture processing in patients with schizophrenia by applying a multimodal speech-gesture training (MSG training).Methods: In the MSG training, we offered eight sessions (60 min each) of training including perceptive and expressive tasks as well as meta-learning elements and transfer exercises to 29 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Patients were randomized to a waiting-first group (N=20) or a training-first group (N=9), and were compared to healthy controls (N=17). Outcomes were quality of life and related changes in the neural processing of abstract speech-gesture information, which were measured pre-post training through standardized psychological questionnaires and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, respectively.Results: Pre-training, patients showed reduced quality of life as compared to controls but improved significantly during the training. Strikingly, this improvement was correlated with neural activation changes in the middle temporal gyrus for the processing of abstract multimodal content. Conclusion: With this study, we provide first promising results of a novel multimodal speech-gesture training for patients with schizophrenia. We could link training induced changes in speech-gesture processing to changes in quality of life, demonstrating the relevance of intact communication skills and gesture processing for well-being.

scholarly journals A Novel Multimodal Speech-Gesture Training and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Neural Processing in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Riedl ◽  
Arne Nagels ◽  
Gebhard Sammer ◽  
Momoko Choudhury ◽  
Annika Nonnenmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Neural Processing ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum

Introduction: Dysfunctional social communication is one of the most stable characteristics in patients with schizophrenia that severely affects quality of life. Interpreting abstract speech and integrating nonverbal information is particularly affected which has been associated with neural dysfunctions in temporal lobe regions.Objectives: Considering the difficulty to treat communication dysfunctions with usual intervention, we investigated the possibility to improve quality of life and co-verbal gesture processing in patients with schizophrenia by applying a multimodal speech-gesture training (MSG training).Methods: In the MSG training, we offered eight sessions (60 min each) of training including perceptive and expressive tasks as well as meta-learning elements and transfer exercises to 29 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Patients were randomized to a waiting-first group (N=20) or a training-first group (N=9), and were compared to healthy controls (N=17). Outcomes were quality of life and related changes in the neural processing of abstract speech-gesture information, which were measured pre-post training through standardized psychological questionnaires and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, respectively.Results: Pre-training, patients showed reduced quality of life as compared to controls but improved significantly during the training. Strikingly, this improvement was correlated with neural activation changes in the middle temporal gyrus for the processing of abstract multimodal content. Conclusion: With this study, we provide first promising results of a novel multimodal speech-gesture training for patients with schizophrenia. We could link training induced changes in speech-gesture processing to changes in quality of life, demonstrating the relevance of intact communication skills and gesture processing for well-being.

scholarly journals F125. QUALITY OF LIFE IN DISCORDANT TWIN-PAIRS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDER – RESULTS FROM THE VIP-STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S301-S301
Author(s):  
Helle Schaebel ◽  
Gitte Saltoft Andersen ◽  
Christian Legind ◽  
Rikke Hilker ◽  
Birte Glenthøj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Discordant Twin

A Proposal of an innovative program for informal caregivers of patients with mood disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S603-S603
Author(s):  
J. Cabral ◽  
C. Barreto Carvalho ◽  
P. Castilho Freitas ◽  
C. Pato
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionIntervention with informal caregivers (IC) of psychiatric patients is internationally recognized as relevant and a priority. However, the existing responses in this area are still insufficient, especially regarding caregivers of individuals with mood disorders (MD). Mindfulness and compassion focused therapy have proven to be an effective approach in stress reduction and in improving emotional and social well-being of caregivers of patients with other conditions. However, no studies testing these new approaches in IC of patients with MD have been carried out. The objective of this work is to present a research project that aims to develop, implement and empirically test the effectiveness of an innovative group program to help informal caregivers of individuals with mood disorders to cope with the negative impact of the disease and reduce caregiver burdens.MethodsThe design of this experimental study to test the program's efficacy is a non-randomised controlled trial (nrct) with 12 months follow-up, with a mixed assessment methodology (quantitative and qualitative analysis). A sample of 60 informal caregivers of individuals with chronic MD will be constituted (n = 30 Control group; n= 30 Experimental group).ResultsWe expect the program to promote significant changes in participants in terms of several emotional variables (eg: burden, stress, resilience, compassion and quality of life).ConclusionsFurther efforts to continue studying the impact of interventions in caregivers should be carried out, as a way to improve the quality of life of caregivers and their ability to provide informal care to MD patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Harnessing Telehealth to Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep and Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen P. O'Hora ◽  
Raquel A. Osorno ◽  
Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani ◽  
Mateo Lopez ◽  
Allison Morehouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Early Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 Pandemic led to drastic increases in the prevalence and severity of insomnia symptoms. These increases in insomnia complaints have been paralleled by significant decreases in well-being, including increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality and decreased quality of life. However, the efficacy and impact of early treatment of insomnia symptoms on future sleep and well-being remains unknown. OBJECTIVE Here, we present the framework and protocol for a novel study that aims to investigate whether a brief telehealth insomnia intervention targeting new insomnia that developed during the pandemic prevents deterioration of well-being, including symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and quality of life. METHODS The protocol details a two-arm randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a brief, telehealth-delivered, early treatment of insomnia and evaluate its potential to prevent a deterioration of well-being. Participants with clinically significant insomnia symptoms that began during the pandemic are randomized to either a treatment group or a 28-week waitlist control group. Treatment consists of 4 telehealth sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) delivered over 5 weeks. All participants will complete assessments of insomnia symptom severity, well-being, and daily habits checklist at baseline (week 0), and at weeks 1-6, 12, 28, and 56. RESULTS The trial began enrollment June 3, 2020 and closed enrollment June 17, 2021. As of October 2021, 49 participants have been randomized to either immediate treatment or a 28-week waitlist. 23 participants are still active in the protocol. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this protocol would be represent the first study to test an early sleep intervention for improving insomnia that emerged during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The findings of this study could provide information about the utility of CBT-I for symptoms that emerge in the context of other stressors before they develop a chronic course and deepen understanding of the relationship between sleep and well-being. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04409743

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