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Psychotherapy for Self-Disorders in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder
Sponsor: Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark
Summary
The primary goal of the VITALIZE study is to evaluate the feasibility of SELF-7, a novel phenomenologically informed psychotherapy for self-disorders, as an add-on to standard psychiatric outpatient treatment - Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (F-ACT) - in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The main question is whether SELF-7 is feasible and acceptable in routine psychiatric outpatient care (F-ACT teams). A secondary objective of the study is to explore whether SELF-7 may reduce psychological distress related to self-disorders and improve personal recovery, well-being, functioning, perceived stress, suicidal ideation, symptom severity, insight, and self-disorders. Researchers will compare SELF-7 plus F-ACT with F-ACT alone. Participants will be randomized to one of the two groups, complete clinical interviews and questionnaires at baseline, 16 weeks, and 26 weeks, and, if allocated to SELF-7, receive 12 individual psychotherapy sessions in addition to standard care (F-ACT).
Official title: Psychotherapy for Abnormalities of Self-VITALITY in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: A Feasibility RCT [VITALIZE]
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2026-09-15
Completion Date
2028-12-31
Last Updated
2026-09-25
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
SELF-7
SELF-7 is a manualized, phenomenologically informed psychotherapeutic intervention with integrated psychoeducational components targeting self-disorders in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The intervention is delivered according to a manual comprising seven therapeutic modules and constitutes a therapeutic framework that supports patients' awareness, understanding, and coping with difficulties related to self-disorders. While manualized, the therapeutic process is flexible and may move back and forth between modules to meet individual patient needs. SELF-7 aims to support coherence in self-experience, strengthen adaptive coping, and facilitate change. The intervention consists of 12 individual psychotherapy sessions preceded by an Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) interview and is delivered as an add-on to standard Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (F-ACT).
F-ACT
Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (F-ACT) is the standard outpatient treatment provided in the participating mental health services. F-ACT includes medical consultations, regular contact with a designated case manager, and network and coordination meetings. The model is flexible, allowing the intensity of care, including consultations and home visits, to be increased according to clinical need. Participants continue receiving F-ACT throughout the study period.
Locations (1)
Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Services Region Zealand
Slagelse, Region Sjælland, Denmark