Clinical Research Directory

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Yoga-based Group Intervention for Outpatients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

A three-arm pilot rater-blinded randomized controlled trial is conducted, comprising Yoga-based Group Intervention (YoGI + TAU) as the experimental condition, a strength and flexibility training (SFT + TAU) group, and treatment as usual (TAU). Participants in all conditions receive the respective intervention in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) in outpatient settings in Germany. The interventions are designed for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. To examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy, self-report measures and blinded rater-based assessments are administered at baseline (T0), after 12 weeks of participation (T1), and at a 3-month follow-up (T2). Before each intervention session, acute stress (general stress and symptom-related distress) is measured using a visual analogue scale. After each intervention session, acute stress (general stress and symptom-related distress; visual analogue scale), perceived effort (BORG-RPE-Scale), and the occurrence of unpleasant experiences are recorded via self-report, while instructors rate exercise performance and overall participation quality. In addition, semi-structured interviews are conducted at T0 and T1 to assess subjective mechanisms of change and relevant processes. The primary outcomes of this trial are the feasibility and acceptability of YoGI and the SFT, assessed through recruitment and retention rates, adherence, and participant feedback. Based on recommendations for pilot studies of 20-50 participants, a conservative target sample size of 60 patients was determined. Further, the trial will evaluate secondary outcomes, including (body) mindfulness (SMQ, BMQ), symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS, CDSS), positive and negative symptomatology (PANSS), psychological flexibility (CFQ), psychological well-being (WHO-QoL-BREF), social functioning (PSP), subjectively perceived cognitive functioning (SSTICS), and physical activity (SIMPAQ). This study aims to provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of YoGI in comparison to both SFT and a TAU, and to establish a foundation for a future fully powered randomized controlled trial.

Acceptability, Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of the Kiso Mind App for Outpatients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

The Kiso pilot study is a randomized controlled trial to test the acceptability and feasibility of a novel digital intervention, namely the Kiso Mind smartphone app. A parallel-group design is utilized. Participants either receive access to the Kiso Mind intervention and treatment-as-usual (TAU) in the experimental condition or receive treatment as usual (TAU) in the control condition. The intervention is designed for participants diagnosed with either schizophrenia (F20.0) or schizoaffective disorder (F25.0) according to the ICD-10. To examine acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness, both self-report and rater-based assessments are administered at baseline (T0) and at the end of the 12-week intervention period (post-intervention T1). Lastly, a qualitative interview will be conducted with participants from the experimental condition. The primary outcome of the present study is the acceptability and feasibility of the Kiso Mind app. The secondary outcome consists of general psychopathology, and positive-, negative-, depressive symptoms, as well as social functioning and self-efficacy ratings.

Gamma Light and Sound Stimulation in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder impacting over 20 million people globally, causing significant personal and societal burdens, particularly due to cognitive deficits and negative symptoms inadequately treated by current therapies. To address this gap, investigators propose using Gamma Entrainment Using Sensory Stimulation (GENUS), a novel, home-based treatment involving synchronized 40 Hz light-and-sound stimulation aimed at improving neural synchrony, cognition, and SZ symptoms. This innovative approach leverages advanced neurostimulation, biological, and neuroimaging methods to directly target gamma dysfunction, fulfilling an urgent need for effective and accessible at-home therapies. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and feasibility of gamma stimulation using light and sound. It will also learn if gamma stimulation using light and sound works to treat clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is gamma stimulation safe for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders? 2. Does gamma stimulation alleviate clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia patients? Participants will: 1. Have an acute 1-hour stimulation at MIT. 2. Come for a one-day visit to MIT for stimulation, neuroimaging, clinical, and cognitive evaluations.

A Case Series of Culturally-adapted CBTp for Black People in the UK

The goal of this case series study is to learn if culturally-adapted cognitive-behavioural therapy is practical, acceptable and safe among Black Sub-Saharan African and Caribbean people experiencing psychosis. The main question it aims to answer is: Is culturally-adapted CBT for psychosis feasible, acceptable to and safe for Black Sub-Saharan African and Caribbean people experiencing psychosis? Participants will be asked to: * Answer some questionnaires about how things are at the moment * Attend up to 16 sessions of therapy * Answer the same questionnaires to see what has changed, if anything * Complete a semi-structured interview about their expectations and experience of therapy

MI-CBTech: A Mobile Intervention for Community Integration in Homeless-Experienced Veterans With SMI

This study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a brief behavioral intervention that combines two treatments, Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), that have been shown to work in prior research studies. The format of the intervention will be a combination of in-person sessions and remote elements delivered via mobile phone (together called MI-CBTech). The goal of the intervention is to improve community integration in Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) who have experienced homelessness. A time- and format-matched control arm will include remote mindfulness training. 50 Veterans with SMI experiencing homelessness will be randomized to one of the two arms (25 per arm).

Neurophysiologic Biomarkers for Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia interfere with daily life-from managing self-care, to more complex tasks like taking medications and living independently. Unfortunately, these cognitive symptoms are not corrected by 'standard of care' treatments (antipsychotic medications), although some schizophrenia patients may experience modest clinical and cognitive benefits from cognitive remediation. To enhance the clinical impact of cognitive remediation and other rehabilitative interventions for Veterans living with chronic psychosis, this study will develop novel brain-based tools to help identify those Veterans who are most likely to benefit from pro-cognitive therapies. These studies may advance predictive algorithms that improve functional outcomes and life quality in Veterans with schizophrenia.