Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Schizophrenia

(RC2S Trial)

Overseen By Karyne Anselmo, M.Sc.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Douglas Mental Health University Institute

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 24

Duration: 12 weeks

26 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial will test if the RC2S+ program, which uses virtual reality to help people with schizophrenia improve their social skills, can be effectively used remotely. The study will involve adults with schizophrenia who struggle with social interactions. By practicing in a virtual environment, participants can learn and improve their social skills. The RC2S therapy is an individualized and partly computerized program through which patients practice social interactions and develop social cognitive abilities with simulation techniques in a realistic environment.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders who are stable and treated at the Douglas Mental Health University Hospital. They must have trouble with social cognition, access to digital technology and a private space, and be able to nominate an emergency contact. People can't join if they're hospitalized, don't speak French or English, have cognitive issues due to organic causes like brain trauma, or have mental retardation or autism.

Inclusion Criteria

Having access to digital technology, Internet, and a private space

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or a similar mental health condition.

Having an objective difficulty in social cognition defined as a performance equal of below 1 standard deviation from the normative group on specific measures

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot speak or read French or English.

History of mental retardation or autism spectrum disorder

Being hospitalized at the time of recruitment

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 24 biweekly individual sessions of RC2S+ with a therapist

12 weeks

24 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Remédiation Cognitive de la Cognition Sociale en Schizophrénie (RC2S+)

Trial Overview The study tests the RC2S+ program's remote delivery for improving social cognition in people with schizophrenia-related conditions. It aims to see if this online cognitive remediation approach is practical and acceptable for participants.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention with RC2S+ that consists of 24 biweekly sessions

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

31

Recruited

2,800+

McGill University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

421

Recruited

1,017,000+