Social cognition and interaction training for patients with stable schizophrenia in Chinese community settings

A review of social participation interventions for people with mental health problems

“…Sessions focused on beneficial effects of social group memberships on health; group-based resources; identifying and strengthening valued social identities; establishing and embedding new social group connections; and sustaining social identitiesYoung adults with depression or anxietyNon-randomised controlled pilot study [38]Intervention group reduced loneliness and increased social functioning at the end of the programme, but these outcomes were not measured in the control group Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) Manualised 20-session group-based intervention delivered by mental health professionals that targets impairments in social cognitions. SCIT uses exercises, games, discussions and interactive social stimuli to improve specific areas of social cognitive dysfunctionAdults with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, depression or bipolar disorderRandomised controlled trial [45–47]Intervention groups showed significant improvements in social functioning in contrast to control groups Supported community engagement Supported socialization A volunteer befriender was matched with the participant, who received a €20 monthly stipend. They undertook social or leisure activities for about 2 h a week over a 9-month periodAdults with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, depression or bipolar disorderRandomised controlled trial [49]Both intervention and control groups (who also received a €20 monthly stipend) increased in recreational social functioning and decreased in social loneliness Urban project The project aimed to enhance participants’ social functioning, general well-being and social inclusion through participation in community life, particularly leisure and recreation facilities.…”

“…It has a growing evidence base of its effectiveness [42], though its 20-session programme has been condensed by some researchers to reduce participant burden and increase retention [43, 44]. Several trials have found positive effects of SCIT on social functioning [45–47], though social network outcomes are yet to be measured.…”

A randomized, controlled trial of Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) for outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

“…Across a series of small trials conducted by its developers, SCIT has shown evidence of feasibility and tolerability in community settings (Roberts, Penn, Labate, Margolis, & Sterne, 2010), efficacy of improving social cognition and social functioning (Combs, Adams, et al, 2007;Roberts & Penn, 2009), and some evidence that treatment gains persist over a 6-month follow-up period (Combs et al, 2009). SCIT has also yielded promising findings when implemented by independent research groups in Australia, Hong Kong, mainland China, Turkey, and Spain (Bartholomeusz et al, 2013;Chan et al, 2010;Lahera et al, 2012;Tas, Danaci, Cubukcuoglu, & Brune, 2012;Wang et al, 2013). Although research on SCIT has produced promising early evidence, extant studies have been relatively small and there is no published randomized controlled trial of SCIT among outpatients with schizophrenia.…”

Behandlungen kognitiver Verzerrungen bei Psychose: Ein Überblick der aktuellen Befunde

“…Eine randomisiert-kontrollierte Studie zeigte nach einer 6-wöchigen Intervention eine Verbesserung der sozialen Fertigkeiten sowie eine Reduktion der Negativsymptomatik [Roberts et al, 2014]. Ebenso zeigte sich in einer chinesischen Stichprobe im Vergleich zu einer Wartebedingung eine signifikante Verbesserung der Emotionswahrnehmung, des Einfühlungsvermögens, der Attributionstendenz und den sozialen Fertigkeiten [Wang et al, 2013]. Außerdem konnten erste Hinweise auf eine langfristige Wirksamkeit des SCIT gesammelt werden [Combs et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2013].…”

“…Ebenso zeigte sich in einer chinesischen Stichprobe im Vergleich zu einer Wartebedingung eine signifikante Verbesserung der Emotionswahrnehmung, des Einfühlungsvermögens, der Attributionstendenz und den sozialen Fertigkeiten [Wang et al, 2013]. Außerdem konnten erste Hinweise auf eine langfristige Wirksamkeit des SCIT gesammelt werden [Combs et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2013]. Ferner erhielt das SCIT von Klinikern eine sehr gute Bewertung hinsichtlich der Einsetzbarkeit in Rehabilitationseinrichtungen [Roberts et al, 2010].…”