Using Peer Specialists to Teach Social Skills to Veterans with Serious Mental Illness
Evaluating the Use of Peer Specialists to Deliver Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training
NA · VA Office of Research and Development · NCT03467243
This study is testing if veterans with serious mental illness can improve their social skills better with a new program taught by peers who have similar experiences compared to a standard social skills training.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 201 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development (fed) |
| Locations | 2 sites (San Diego, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT03467243 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of Peer Specialist-delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) and Social Skills Training (SST) for Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI). The Veterans Health Administration aims to provide recovery-oriented rehabilitation approaches that enhance real-world functioning. Unlike traditional therapy, CBSST is designed to be delivered by trained Peer Specialists who have their own experiences with SMI, potentially increasing access to effective treatment. The study compares outcomes between Veterans receiving CBSST-Peer and those receiving Peer Specialist-delivered SST.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans diagnosed with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features.
Not a fit: Patients currently hospitalized for psychiatric or physical illness, or those who have recently participated in similar therapies, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve social functioning and quality of life for Veterans with serious mental illness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using peer support for mental health interventions, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Voluntary informed consent (must be able to be given by the patient) * Primary diagnosis of SMI documented in the medical record * schizophrenia * schizoaffective disorder * bipolar disorder with psychotic features * Fluent in English so as to be able to complete testing Exclusion Criteria: * Medication changes in the prior month * Current or recent (within the past year) CBSST, CBT, or SST (so any skill knowledge and any improvement in outcome can be attributed to SST- or CBSST-Peer rather than participation in other forms of current or recent CBT or SST interventions) * Level of care at baseline that interferes with outpatient participation * Current hospitalization for psychiatric, substance use or physical illness * hospitalized subjects will be invited to participate 1 month after discharge * Severe and/or unstable mental illness as indicated during informed consent process by inability to pass the Blessed measure in the first visit * Cognitive impairment as indicated by inability to pass the 10 item T/F measure about informed consent * Women who are pregnant will be excluded from this study * Incarcerated Veterans will be excluded from this study * Veterans with impaired decision making capabilities will be excluded from this study
Where this trial is running
San Diego, California and 1 other locations
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA — San Diego, California, United States (WITHDRAWN)
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Matthew J. Chinman, PhD — VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA
- Study coordinator: Jessica R Dodge, PhD MSW MPH
- Email: Jessica.Dodge@va.gov
- Phone: (734) 845-3609
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Serious Mental Illness, schizophrenia, Veterans, depression, peer specialist, social skills training