Compensatory Strategies Applied to Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia (CAT-Denmark)

• Changes in Social functioning assessed by Global Assessment of Function test and Health of the Nation Outcome Scales item 9-12 concerning social problems. [ Time Frame: Baseline, six month and nine month. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The effect of intervention on primary outcome are invetigated as longitudinal data at six and nine month. The data are analysed using mixed models.
  
  

• Changes in Social Functioning using Camberwell Assessment of Need questionnaire. Symptoms using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Quality of Life using Lehman Quality of Life Interview-brief version. Relapse and frequency of hospitalization. [ Time Frame: Baseline, six month and nine month. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The effect of intervention on secondary outcome are invetigated as longitudinal data at six and nine month. The data are analysed using mixed models. However, relapse are analysed using survival analysis.
  
  

It is estimated that approximately 80% of patients with schizophrenia have reduced cognitive functions, representing problems with attention, verbal memory, short-term memory and executive functions (1-3). These impairments might have an impact on the patients ability to complete rehabilitation programmes, apply learned strategies to social problems, develop work skills and manage daily life (4,5). The effect of Cognitive Adaptation Training has been tested as a psychosocial treatment including training of compensatory strategies in order to sequence patient's adaptive behaviour, showing promising results concerning improved social functions (6). There are however no solid evidence for these statements. The existing few studies investigating the effect of Cognitive Adaptation Training (6-8) are underpowered (small sample sizes) and have a lack of younger patients, which limits the conclusions that can be drawn from the results of the improvement. The present trial employs a prospective design of 26 weeks with a follow-up period of 9 months after inclusion. The study will enroll 164 consecutively recruited participants from three Danish out-patient teams for young adults with a first episode of psychosis.