RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05805397

Effectiveness of Motivation Skills Training (MST)

Motivation Skills Training to Enhance Functional Outcomes for People With Schizophrenia

Sponsor

Columbia University

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

Apr 15, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder

Summary

This study will take place at four outpatient clinics serving adults with serious mental illness. Informed consent will be obtained from N=80 individuals with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM)-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria to participate in a randomized controlled trial comparing Motivation Skills Training (MST) to a Healthy Behaviors Control (HBC) group. Eligible participants will receive a baseline assessment including sociodemographic and psychosocial assessments, measures of motivation, goal attainment, and quality of life, as well as measures of executive skills, community functioning, and psychiatric symptoms severity. Both MST and HBC will be implemented as once weekly group therapies. The treatment phase is approximately 12-14 weeks. MST will focus on motivation knowledge and self-regulation skills while HBC will focus on physical health and health-related skills.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is evaluating a new behavioral therapy called Motivation Skills Training (MST) to help people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder improve their motivation, daily functioning, and quality of life — addressing a symptom called avolition (difficulty initiating and sustaining activities). **You may be eligible if:** - You are between 18 and 65 years old - You have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-5 criteria) - You are medically and psychiatrically stable and receiving outpatient care - You speak and understand English **You may NOT be eligible if:** - You have an intellectual disability or your IQ is estimated to be below 70 - You have had severe substance use in the past 3 months - You have a neurological condition affecting the brain - You are 60 or older with signs of cognitive decline (dementia) Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALMotivation Skills Training

Participants will complete a baseline assessment, receive weekly MST sessions in a group format for a duration of 12 weeks, and will then repeat the assessment battery from baseline immediately following treatment completion and 2-months after.

BEHAVIORALHealthy Behaviors Control Group

Participants will complete a baseline assessment, receive weekly HBC sessions in a group format for a duration of 12 weeks, and will repeat the assessment battery from baseline immediately following treatment completion and 2-months after.