Social Interaction for Schizophrenia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how individuals with schizophrenia form social connections by examining brain activity, specifically inter-brain synchrony, during interactions. Researchers aim to determine if increased social closeness affects this brain activity, potentially leading to better treatments for social challenges in schizophrenia. Participants will engage in activities such as drawing and finger-tapping while their brain waves are monitored. They will also experience either a "fast friends" session (a structured interaction with personal questions) or a "small talk" session (a casual conversation with general questions). Ideal candidates include those with schizophrenia who are stable, with no recent hospital visits or medication changes, as well as healthy individuals without a history of psychotic disorders. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance social treatments for schizophrenia.
What prior data suggests that this protocol is safe for participants?
Studies have shown that social activities, like the "Fast Friends" method, are generally safe and can help people with schizophrenia feel more connected to others. These activities focus on improving social interactions, enhancing quality of life without major safety concerns.
Research indicates that the "Small Talk" activity usually helps improve communication skills in people with schizophrenia. Participants consider this type of activity safe and well-tolerated.
Both "Fast Friends" and "Small Talk" involve simple social exercises. No reports of serious side effects have emerged from these activities. Overall, these activities aim to improve social skills and connections and are considered safe for participants.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different types of social interactions might affect brain activity in people with schizophrenia. Unlike standard treatments that focus on medication or therapy to manage symptoms, this approach uses social interaction as a potential therapeutic tool. The "Fast Friends" method involves asking increasingly personal questions, aiming to foster deeper connections, while "Small Talk" focuses on more superficial interactions. By recording brain activity during these interactions, researchers hope to uncover new insights into how social engagement can influence mental health in schizophrenia, potentially leading to innovative treatment strategies.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving social functioning in schizophrenia?
Research has shown that social connections can greatly benefit people with schizophrenia. One study found a link between having fewer friends or social contacts and worse symptoms. Another study found that spending time with others can improve quality of life and reduce mental health symptoms. In this trial, participants will engage in either the "Fast Friends" method, which involves sharing personal stories to foster stronger friendships, or "Small Talk," which involves asking and answering impersonal questions. These findings suggest that building social connections might enhance social skills in people with schizophrenia.26789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jonathan K Wynn, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, Los Angeles
Eric Reavis, Phd
Principal Investigator
University of California, Los Angeles
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English-speaking individuals with stable schizophrenia (no hospitalizations in the last 3 months and no medication changes in the last month). It also includes people without psychotic disorders, major mood disorders, or a family history of psychosis.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants undergo a clinical diagnostic interview and are assessed for clinical symptoms
Experimental Manipulation
Participants engage in EEG-recorded interactions, including drawing and finger tapping, followed by either 'fast friends' or 'small talk' conditions to manipulate social closeness
Control Condition
Participants repeat the procedure with the condition not yet done (either 'fast friends' or 'small talk')
Follow-up
Participants are interviewed on the number and quality of social interactions and monitored for changes in social connections
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Fast Friends
- Small Talk
Trial Overview
The study examines 'inter-brain synchrony' as a potential neural mechanism behind social connections in schizophrenia. Participants will engage in activities designed to either increase social closeness ('Fast Friends') or not ('Small Talk'), while their brain activity is monitored.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants will interact with another person while both have their EEG recorded. Participants will ask and answer 12 questions with the other person that become increasingly personal in nature, e.g., "When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?"
Participants will interact with another person while both have their EEG recorded. Participants will ask and answer 12 impersonal questions with the other person , e.g., "Do you prefer digital watches and clocks or the kind with hands? Why?"
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
Citations
Social networks and symptomatic and functional outcomes in ...
Meta-analyses of five studies with 467 participants showed a significant moderate effect (g = − 0.53) for the association between smaller network size and ...
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We observed large and sustained improvements in both objective and subjective measures of quality of life and reductions in psychiatric symptoms ...
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Outcome measures included perceived stress, social support, and disease-related distress. At 3 months, participants with schizophrenia in the ...
Not such fast friends? The effect of intimate conversation ...
Participants reported greater social connection after intimate (vs. small talk) and face-to-face (vs. texting) conversations, but the effect of ...
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researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/346918322_Fast_Foes_the_physiological_and_behavioral_consequences_of_interacting_in_an_immersive_negative_social_context(PDF) Fast Foes: the physiological and behavioral ...
A large body of research has documented positive outcomes from fruitful social interactions with amicable individuals, but less is known ...
Interventions supporting meaningful connections for people ...
To explore the nature of friendships in people with schizophrenia ... outcomes of a recreational-therapy intervention for adults with schizophrenia.
Stepped Care Interventions for Psychosis Risk
Early intervention after first-episode psychosis (FEP) can effectively improve symptoms, functioning, and quality of life (5, 6). The ...
Does-the-Fast-Track-Intervention-Prevent-Later-Psychosis- ...
Findings suggest that interventions targeting antisocial behavior may prevent psychosis symptoms in the long term. Keywords Intervention . Prevention .
Observed Social Support and Willingness for the Treatment ...
The willingness of patients with schizophrenia to be treated improves mental illness, social support and other health-related issues. The main ...
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