Improving cognitive health in people with schizophrenia using virtual interventions

Promoting Cognitive Health in Schizophrenia: A National Collaborative Effort to Implement Online Psychological Interventions

This study is testing two online programs to see if they can help improve thinking skills in people with schizophrenia.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 390 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Douglas Mental Health University Institute (Academic / other)
• Locations: 5 sites (Vancouver, British Columbia and 4 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05661448 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to enhance cognitive health in individuals with schizophrenia through the implementation of two virtual cognitive health interventions: Action-Based Cognitive Remediation and MetaCognitive Training. The study will assess the effectiveness of these interventions in improving cognitive performance and overall functioning, while also evaluating the implementation strategy for delivering these interventions via a digital learning platform to mental health practitioners. Participants will undergo assessments before and after the intervention, and qualitative interviews will be conducted to gather insights on the implementation process. The trial will take place across multiple mental health institutions in Canada, leveraging their existing infrastructure for psychological interventions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or related disorders who are symptomatically stable and can engage with online platforms.

Not a fit: Patients with high suicide risk, intellectual disabilities, or those currently hospitalized may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve cognitive functioning and overall quality of life for patients with schizophrenia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using technology-enabled psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of affective or non-affective psychosis or related disorder;
* Follow-up and treatment by a clinician at one of the services mentioned above;
* Participants symptomatically stable and capable of using the online platforms and participating in intervention groups, as judged by their primary clinicians (i.e., psychiatrist, case manager);
* Participants must have access to a private space (i.e., a room where the participant can be alone) to ensure confidentiality for the group;
* Participants must be able to nominate an emergency contact and to agree to allow researchers to contact their clinician and/or emergency services in the event of an emergency during study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Intellectual disability;
* Hospitalization at the time of recruitment;
* Inability to speak or read English or French;
* High suicide risk as per evaluation.

Where this trial is running

Vancouver, British Columbia and 4 other locations

• Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Not_yet_recruiting)
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University — Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
• Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
• Ontario Shoares Centre for Mental Health Sciences, University of Toronto — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
• Douglas Mental Health University Institute — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Martin Lepage — Douglas Mental Health University Institute
• Study coordinator: Karyne Anselmo

Conditions Schizophrenia; Cognition; intervention; cognitive remediation; metacognition; psychosis