Social Performance Scale Research Articles

The role of affective temperaments in self-care and medication adherence among individuals with bipolar disorder: a moderation analysis.

Affective temperament, defined as the fundamental predisposition from which normal affective states originate or as the constitutional core of personality, play a crucial role in mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorders. Understanding the relationship between temperaments, treatment adherence, and self-care is crucial for effective management and improved clinical results. This study aims to (1) assess the correlation between affective temperaments and treatment adherence, (2) investigate the relationship between affective temperaments and self-care abilities, (3) identify predictors of treatment adherence, and (4) explore the moderating effect of self-care on the relationship between treatment adherence and depressive temperament in individuals with bipolar disorder. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 231 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) type I (N=160) and type II (N=71). The participants were evaluated using the following psychometric tools: Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego (TEMPS) to assess affective temperaments, Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) to evaluate social functioning and self-care abilities, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) to measure treatment adherence. The study involved statistical analyses to examine correlations, identify predictors, and explore moderating effects. The findings revealed significant correlations between affective temperaments and both treatment adherence and self-care abilities. Specifically, hyperthymic temperament was positively associated with higher treatment adherence, whereas cyclothymic and depressive temperaments were linked to lower adherence. Self-care abilities were found to mediate the relationship between depressive temperament and treatment adherence, suggesting that improved self-care can enhance adherence in individuals with depressive temperament. Affective temperaments significantly influence treatment adherence and self-care abilities in individuals with bipolar disorder. The mediating role of self-care highlights the importance of developing targeted interventions to improve self-care practices, thereby enhancing treatment adherence and overall well-being. Personalized treatment strategies based on temperament assessments could lead to better clinical outcomes and quality of life for individuals with bipolar disorder.

The management of patients with predominant negative symptoms in Slovakia: A 1-year longitudinal, prospective, multicentric cohort study.

Predominant negative symptoms (PNSs) in schizophrenia can affect the patients' psychosocial functioning immensely and are less responsive to treatment than positive symptoms. The aim of the study was to observe negative symptoms and psychosocial functioning in PNS schizophrenia patients and to understand whether PNS can be improved and with what treatment strategies. This was a 1-year, prospective, multicentric cohort study conducted in Slovakia. Adult outpatients with diagnosis of schizophrenia according to ICD-10 and PNS evaluated using the criteria by the European Psychiatric Association's (EPA) guidance were included. Change in negative symptoms, functionality, and treatment patterns were observed. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the modified Short Assessment of Negative Domain (m-SAND), the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS) scale, the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale, and the Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S) and the Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) scales. Least-squares (LS) means were calculated for the change from baseline to final visit for the outcomes. The study included 188 patients. Functionality improved as, by the end of the study, fewer patients were unemployed (53%) and more worked occasionally (21%). PNS improved significantly according to both physicians and patients (LS mean change from baseline in m-SAND total score: -10.0 (p-value <0.0001)). Most patients received polytherapy throughout the study. Cariprazine was utilized most (20% monotherapy and 76% polytherapy). Only a few patients discontinued treatment due to adverse drug reactions. With the right treatment strategy, it is possible to achieve improvement in PNS and everyday functioning in schizophrenia outpatients.

Linking social motivation, general motivation, and social cognition to interpersonal functioning in schizophrenia: insights from exploratory graph analysis

Motivation in general, and social motivation in particular are important for interpersonal functioning in individuals with schizophrenia. Still, their roles after accounting for social cognition, are not well understood. The sample consisted of 147 patients with schizophrenia. General motivation was measured using the Behavioral inhibition/activation scale (BIS/BAS). Social motivation was measured by Passive social withdrawal and Active social avoidance items from PANSS. Interpersonal functioning was evaluated with Birchwood’s Social Functioning Scale (SFS). We used Exploratory Graph Analysis for network estimation and community detection. Active social avoidance, passive social withdrawal, and social withdrawal/engagement (from SFS) were the most important nodes. In addition, three distinct communities were identified: Social cognition, Social motivation, and Interpersonal functioning. Notably, the BIS and BAS measures of general motivation were not part of any community. BAS showed stronger links to functioning than BIS. Passive social withdrawal was more strongly linked to interpersonal functioning than social cognitive abilities. Results suggest that social motivation, especially social approach, is more closely related to interpersonal functioning in schizophrenia than general motivation. In contrast, we found that general motivation was largely unrelated to social motivation. This pattern highlights the importance of type of motivation for understanding variability in interpersonal difficulties in schizophrenia.

Breast conserving surgery versus mastectomy: the effect of surgery on quality of life in breast cancer survivors in Malaysia

BackgroundIn the competitive health care environment, patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) have become the subject of interest to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions as we experience improved breast cancer survival in modern times. The knowledge of the long-term effects of surgery on the QoL in breast cancer patients is currently limited in the Asian setting. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to evaluate the QoL of early-stage breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS).MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, the QoL of 208 patients who underwent mastectomy and the BCS treatment were assessed, using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered at the baseline, 6 and 12 months following diagnosis. One-way ANCOVA was used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 208 female survivors of Stage 0–II breast cancer were included, among them 47.1% underwent BCS and 52.9% underwent mastectomy. Older (63.3%), Chinese women (63.6%), and patients with primary education (71.7%) were more likely to undergo mastectomy. At baseline, no significant differences were observed for QoL in both treatment groups. At 6 months, patients who underwent BCS had better social functioning scales( P = 0.006) and worse symptom scales for dyspnoea (P = 0.031), compared to mastectomy patients. One year after diagnosis, the role functioning score of the mastectomy group was significantly higher than the BCS group, specifically among patients who had undergone chemotherapy (P = 0.034).ConclusionPatients who underwent BCS had better social functioning and worse dyspnoea symptoms compared to patients undergoing mastectomy at six months. During one year, there were only significant improvements in the role functioning among the mastectomy groups compared to the BCS groups. After further stratification, only mastectomy patients who received chemotherapy exhibited improved role functioning compared to patients those who did not undergo chemotherapy. Providing social and physical support postoperatively and monitoring patients for cancer worry, or other symptoms in the long-term survivorship period would be important to ensure optimal QoL.

Are the sensorimotor control capabilities of the hands the factors influencing hand function in people with schizophrenia?

BackgroundPrevious works reported people with schizophrenia experienced inferior hand functions which influence their daily participation and work efficiency. Sensorimotor capability is one of indispensable elements acting in a well-executed feed-forward and feedback control loop to contribute to hand performances. However, rare studies investigated contribution of sensorimotor ability to hand functions for people with schizophrenia. This study aimed to explore hand function in people with schizophrenia based on the perspective of the sensorimotor control capabilities of the hands.MethodsTwenty-seven people at the chronic stage of schizophrenia were enrolled. The following assessment tools were used: the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and the VALPAR Component Work Sample-8 (VCWS 8) system for hand function; the Self-Reported Graphic version of the Personal and Social Performance (SRG-PSP) scale for functionality; and the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments (SWM), the pinch-holding-up-activity (PHUA) test and the Manual Tactile Test (MTT) for the sensory and sensorimotor parameters. The Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale and the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) were used to grade the severity of the illness and the side-effects of the drugs. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze associations among hand function, functionality, and sensorimotor capabilities. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of hand function.ResultsThe results indicated that both hand function and sensorimotor capability were worse in people with schizophrenia than in healthy people, with the exception of the sensory threshold measured with the SWM. Moreover, the sensorimotor abilities of the hands were associated with hand function. The results of the regression analysis showed that the MTT measure of stereognosis was a determinant of the PPT measure of the dominant hand function and of the performance on the VCWS 8, and that the ESRS and the MTT measure of barognosis were determinants of the performance on the assembly task of the PPT.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that sensorimotor capabilities, especially stereognosis and barognosis, are crucial determinants of hand function in people with schizophrenia. The results also revealed that the side effects of drugs and the duration of the illness directly affect hand function.Clinical Trail RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04941677, 28/06/2021.

Changes in the quality of life in teenagers studying in closed general educational institutions

Introduction. The quality of life reflects a personal health state and its ability to live a normal and fulfilling life.&#x0D; Study purpose: the quality of life (QoL) determination in teenagers studying in closed general educational institutions in Barnaul.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study included one hundred sixty eight teenagers studying in closed general educational institutions in the city of Barnaul. The quality of life indicators were estimated using a valid, randomized Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire PEDsQL™4.0, for children aged up 13 to 18 years. There were obtained such 5 QoL indicators as physical, emotional, social and school functioning and psychosocial health.&#x0D; Results. The analysis of the results of QoL indicators by teenagers revealed that the generalized QoL indicator in the general group of children was equal to 77.71 scores. The highest score was obtained for the indicator of physical functioning — 88.29 scores. The social functioning scale took the next place in terms of total scores — 83.57. The lowest scores on scales related to QoL were noted in emotional functioning — 67.73 scores and school environment — 70.47 scores. Based on the results it was possible to establish that the lowest scores were obtained on the scales of emotional and school functioning, which compared with the total score, shows a lower integrated indicator of psychosocial health and is equal to 73.81 scores.&#x0D; Conclusion. To prevent undesirable consequences for the health of adolescents with low QoL indicators, a protective and developmental regime should be recommended and, if necessary, dispensary supervision of a pediatrician with additional involvement of doctors of narrow specialties on an individual basis.

Assessment of Quality of Life Before and After Ileostomy Reversal After Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer

Aim: Low Anterior Resection Syndrome negatively affects patients’ quality of life after surgery for rectal cancer. Temporary loop leostomy is preferred to avoid anastomosis leakage related problems. Aim of this study is to evaluate Patients’ quality of life before and after ileostomy reversal. &#x0D; Material and Methods: Patients with laparoscopic low anterior resection with protective loop ileostomy were included in the study. Before and after the reversal of the ileostomy quality of life assessment was done by EORTC QLQ-C30 scale. &#x0D; Results: Sixty two patients with temporary loop ileostomy after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer were included in the study. Our study population showed better results in General health scale and social function scale after ileostomy reversal. However; there is no significant difference in general function and general symptom scale. &#x0D; Conclusion: Temporary ileostomy can negatively affect patients’ quality of life and patients have higher quality of life scores after ileostomy reversal.

A - 131 Social Adjustment and Functioning in Serious Mental Illness Is Predicted by Social Cognition.

Deficits in social cognition (SC) and social functioning (SF) are prominent in schizophrenia. This study used standardized assessments to examine SC and SF to determine if similar deficits are present in persons diagnosed with bipolar disorders. The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT) was used to assess emotion identification and social inference, and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) to assess SF domains (Social Engagement, Interpersonal Communication, Independent Performance, Independent Competence, Recreation, Prosocial, and Employment). The TASIT and SFS were administered to individuals with schizophrenia (SZ; N = 22), bipolar disorder with psychotic features (BP+; N = 20) or without psychotic features (BP-; N = 21), and healthy controls (HC; N = 22). Mixed model ANOVA examined group differences and multiple regression determined if SC predicted SF. The SZ group showed significantly worse SF compared to all other groups. There was no significant difference between the BP+ and BP-, and both BP groups performed worse than HCs. For multiple regression, the three clinical groups (SZ, BP+, BP-) were combined to yield an overall SMI group (N = 63). TASIT emotion identification and social inference predicted performance on SFS domains of Independent Performance, Independent Competence, Recreation, Prosocial, and SFS total score. Emotion identification was the strongest predictor of the Independent Performance domain in comparison to social inference. Performance on the TASIT predicted performance across several domains of SF in SMI. Differences were present based on the specific SC abilities and SF domains, suggesting SC abilities are more strongly associated with some functional domains but not others, which may help guide clinical decision making.

Inflammatory markers of symptomatic remission at 6 months in patients with first-episode schizophrenia

Neuroinflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of various mental illnesses including schizophrenia. We investigated peripheral inflammatory cytokines as a biomarker for predicting symptomatic remission in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The study included 224 patients aged 15–60 years who fulfilled the criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorder with a treatment duration ≤6 months. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 were measured. Psychotic symptoms, depressive symptoms, and general functioning were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, and Personal and Social Performance scale, respectively. Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was also recorded. We investigated the factors associated with remission for each sex in logistic regression analysis. In total, 174 patients achieved remission at the 6-month follow-up (females, 83.5%; males, 70.9%). Remission was associated with older age and lower BDI scores in male patients and with lower TNF-α levels and shorter DUP in female patients. Our findings suggest that peripheral inflammatory cytokines may impede early symptomatic remission in female patients with schizophrenia. In addition, depressive symptoms in males and long DUP in females may be poor prognostic factors for early remission in patients with first-episode psychosis.

Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation taking into account the phenotype of heart failure

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a medical problem often associated with several comorbidities and adverse outcomes. In developed countries, chronic heart failure (CHF), which affects 2% to 3% of the population, is also a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of both of these diseases is steadily increasing worldwide. CHF with AF is gaining more and more medical and social significance, as it can worsen the prognosis and quality of life (QoL) of a person. The purpose. Assess the quality of life of patients with atrial fibrillation, taking into account the phenotype of heart failure.Material and methods. 300 patients aged 45-65 were examined. Among the examined were 180 (60.0%) women and 120 (40.0%) men. All patients were divided into groups: group I – control, 36 practically healthy persons; group II - patients with CHF with AF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVHF, n=190); group III - patients with HF with AF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVHF, n=110). Diagnoses of AF and HF were carried out according to the clinical protocol for providing medical care to patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, confirmed by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine №436 of 07.03.2006. The quality of life (QoL) of the patients was assessed using a non-specific questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36) and Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MHFLQ).Research results. According to the results of the Minnesota Questionnaire (MLHFQ), patients with HF and AF had higher scores, indicating a worse quality of life (p&lt;0.05). The highest indicators of the quality of life according to the scale of physical and mental health (p&lt;0.05) were established in the control group. In patients with chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation, significant differences were found, compared to the control group, on the scales of physical (p&lt;0.05), physical-role functioning (p&lt;0.05), pain intensity (p&lt;0.05) and emotional role functioning (p&lt;0.05). It was found that in patients with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, compared to patients with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, a significant decrease in quality of life indicators on almost all SF-36 scales was set: physical functioning (p&lt;0.05), role functioning (p&lt; 0.05), body pain (p&lt;0.05), general health (p&lt;0.05), vital activity (p&lt;0.05). It has been proven that male gender (p&lt;0.05), age over 65 years (p&lt;0.05), increased body mass index (BMI, p&lt;0.05), impaired glucose tolerance/or diabetes mellitus type 2 (p &lt;0.05) and arterial hypertension (p&lt;0.05) were factors associated with HF and, accordingly, lower quality of life scores according to the SF-36 questionnaire. Probable dependence regarding smoking (p&gt;0.05) and hyperlipidemia (p&gt;0.05) in components of physical and mental health in patients with CHF and AF were not established.Conclusion. According to the results of the Minnesota Questionnaire (MLHFQ), patients with HF and AF had higher scores, indicating a worse quality of life (p&lt;0.05). In the examined patients for chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation, a decrease in quality of life indicators was found in comparison with the control group on all scales of the SF-36 questionnaire (p&lt;0.05). Significant differences were established, compared to the control group, on the scales of physical (p&lt;0.05), physical-role functioning (p&lt;0.05), pain intensity (p&lt;0.05) and emotional-role functioning (p&lt;0 ,05). It was found that in patients with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, compared to patients with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, there is a significant decrease in quality of life indicators on almost all SF-36 scales: physical functioning (p&lt;0.05), role functioning ( p&lt;0.05), body pain (p&lt;0.05), general health (p&lt;0.05), vital activity (p&lt;0.05). At the same time, on the scales of social functioning and mental health, there were no significant differences, depending on the left ventricular ejection fraction in atrial fibrillation (p&gt;0.05).

Health-related quality of life of the rural and urban population in Western Siberia: a descriptive study

Aim. To assess the health-related quality of life of the rural and urban population in Western Siberia.Materials and methods. The study was conducted by simple random sampling of 205 people (97 men and 108 women) from residents of rural areas of the Omsk region (n = 132) and the city of Omsk (n = 73). The method of active survey in the form of an interview was used. The MOS SF-36 health survey questionnaire was used in combination with a specially developed questionnaire for sociological studies of the health of rural populations.Results. The highest scores were found on the scales of physical (PF), role physical (RF), and social functioning (SF). For the majority of questionnaire scales, the values obtained for rural residents were lower than those for urban residents. These concerned the PF, General Health (GH), Vitality (VT), SF, and mental health (MH) scales. The values characterizing the physical and psychological components of health were also lower in rural residents. A similar pattern was established when comparing the indicators of rural and urban men on the VT, SF, and MH scales. When comparing the indicators of rural and urban women, significant differences were found on the PF, GH, VT, SF, and MH scales. On all these scales, indicators were also higher among urban women. The respondents’ answers to questions about physical well-being and mental state showed a greater severity of characteristics indicating the development of emotional exhaustion among rural residents.Conclusion. The established low levels of the health-related quality of life among the rural population of the region indicate the relevance of developing and implementing respective targeted preventive programs.

The impact of childhood trauma exposure on social functioning in schizophrenia: the moderated mediation role of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms.

Childhood trauma has been linked to increased risk of schizophrenia and social dysfunction, and oxytocin and its receptor gene have been implicated in regulating social behavior. This study investigated the potential role of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) in mediating the effects of childhood trauma on social functioning in schizophrenia. The study consisted of 382 patients with schizophrenia and 178 healthy controls who were assessed using the Taiwanese version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Social Functioning Scale (SFS), and plasma oxytocin levels. DNA was extracted to genotype the OXTR and ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs2254298, rs237885, rs237887, rs237899, rs53576, rs9840864, rs13316193, rs7632287, rs1042778, and rs237895) were selected. Patients with schizophrenia showed higher CTQ-SF scores (t = 12.549, p < 0.001), lower SFS scores (t = -46.951, p < 0.001), and lower plasma oxytocin levels (t = -5.448, p < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. The study also found significant differences in OXTR SNPs between both groups, with risk alleles being more prevalent in patients with schizophrenia (t = 2.734, p = 0.006). Results indicated a significant moderated mediation effect, with oxytocin and the OXTR SNPs partially mediating the relationship between childhood trauma exposure and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia (index of mediation = 0.038, 95% CI [0.033-0.044]). The findings suggest that oxytocin and its receptor gene may be promising targets for interventions aimed at improving social functioning in patients with a history of childhood trauma and schizophrenia. However, further research is needed to fully understand these effects and the potential of oxytocin-based interventions in this population.

Evaluating romantic and sexual functioning among persons with psychosis: Reliability and validity of two measures.

Despite increasing recognition of the difficulties faced by persons with psychosis with respect to intimacy and sexuality, there is a lack of valid and reliable instruments to measure these areas of functioning in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties (i.e., construct and convergent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability) of two measures, the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Romantic Relationship Functioning Scale (RRFS), in a sample of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Participants (N = 196) were administered a series of questionnaires online, with a subset of 40 respondents agreeing to complete the MSQ and the RRFS a second time at a 2-week follow-up. Confirmatory factor analyses were employed to examine the construct validity of both measures, while internal consistency estimates and correlation coefficients were computed to assess each instrument's reliability and convergent validity. The original factor structures of the MSQ and the RRFS were found to be acceptable, with αs ranging from 0.68 to 0.94 and 0.74 to 0.86, respectively. Test-retest reliability and convergent validity with other measures (First-Episode Social Functioning Scale [FESFS]-Intimacy subscale, Self-Esteem Rating Scale-Short Form [SERS-SF], Brief Symptom Inventory [BSI]-Anxiety and Depression subscales) were also demonstrated. Future research should replicate these findings in larger samples and other languages, as well as evaluate additional aspects of the instruments' quality. Clinicians may benefit from using these tools to better understand the intimacy needs of service users with psychosis and offer corresponding services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes in Internationally Adopted Children with Cleft Lip and Palate.

To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in internationally adopted patients with cleft lip and palate to those in non-adopted peers. Cross-sectional study. Multidisciplinary cleft team at tertiary care hospital. Patients aged ≥ 8 with cleft lip and palate attending routine cleft team evaluations September 2021 - September 2022. CLEFT-Q PRO scores. Sixty-four internationally adopted patients and 113 non-adopted patients with a mean age of 13 years were included. Compared to non-adopted peers, adopted patients demonstrated worse satisfaction with face appearance (mean 59 vs. 66, p = .044), speech function (mean 69 vs. 78, p = .005), and speech distress (mean 80 vs. 84, p = .032). No significant differences were observed on the nose, nostrils, teeth, lips, lip scar, jaws, psychological function, or social function scales (p > .05). Objective clinical evaluation corroborated these findings, with adopted patients demonstrating worse Pittsburgh Weighted Speech scores (mean 3.0 vs 1.9, p = .027) and greater incidence of articulation errors (64% vs 46%, p = .021). No significant differences were observed in rates of mood, anxiety, or behavior concerns identified on psychosocial assessment (p = .764). Among adopted patients, undergoing palatoplasty prior to adoption was associated with worse satisfaction with speech, appearance, school, and social function (p < .05). Patient-reported outcomes among internationally adopted adolescents and young adults with cleft lip and palate show slightly lower satisfaction with facial appearance and speech but otherwise demonstrate similar results to non-adopted peers on most appearance and psychosocial measures. PRO data correlated well with objective speech assessment and did not portend worse psychosocial function.

Effectiveness of social skill program for social performance among schizophrenia patients selected tertiary care Hospital, Coimbatore. India

Problem consideredSocial skills training helps improve interpersonal relationship in schizophrenia patients. However, there is a lacuna of studies in India reporting the efficacy of such training. Hence, we assessed the effectiveness of social skills program (SSP) among schizophrenia patients using Vellore assessment of social performance (VASP) scale and evaluated the association of social performance pre- and post-test with demographic variables. MethodsThis study was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia admitted to in-patient psychiatric ward of a tertiary care hospital in south India. They were assigned to two groups of 20 each, where one underwent SSP intervention for 7 days, and the other routine care. ResultsIn the routine care group, majority of the patients had poor skills both pre-test (70%), and post-test (40%, p = 0.083), but in the interventional group, majority of the patients exhibited poor skills (60%) pre-test and post SSP majority of them scored significantly higher (85%, p = 0.022) VASP scores. Mean scores were significantly different with age (F = 4.130, p = 0.01) in intervention and with duration of illness (F = 3.748, p = 0.045) in routine care groups. ConclusionSSP effectively improved social performance among schizophrenia in-patients, and can be implemented as part of routine care therapy for the holistic treatment of these patients.

Psychosocial functioning as a mediator between childhood trauma and symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia

BackgroundThere is empirical evidence that childhood trauma is associated with symptom severity and psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia. ObjectiveThe present study aimed to further elucidate these associations by examining which subdomains of schizophrenic symptoms and psychosocial functioning are associated with childhood trauma. In addition, it should be tested whether the association between childhood trauma and schizophrenic symptoms is mediated by psychosocial functioning.Participants and Setting.Participants of this study were 253 inpatients of five psychiatric hospitals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Clinical interviews were conducted with these patients towards the end of therapy. MethodsChildhood trauma was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), a retrospective self-report scale. Schizophrenic symptoms were measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and psychosocial functioning with the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), two measures for ratings by experts. ResultsMost participants were affected by childhood trauma, with 91.7 % reporting at least one trauma. Childhood trauma showed small but significant correlations with positive symptoms and general psychopathology, and also with psychosocial functioning in the occupational and social area and in control over aggressive behavior. Psychosocial functioning was shown to mediate the association between childhood trauma and symptom severity, whereby full mediation was found with regard to positive symptoms and partial mediation with regard to general psychopathology. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that good psychosocial functioning mitigates the negative impact of childhood trauma on illness severity in schizophrenic patients. Therapeutic interventions that promote personal and social resources are therefore useful in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Long-term Efficacy and Safety of Paliperidone 6-month Formulation: An Open-label 2-year Extension of a 1-year Double-blind Study in Adult Participants With Schizophrenia.

Paliperidone palmitate 6-month (PP6M) demonstrated noninferiority to paliperidone palmitate 3-month (PP3M) in preventing relapse in patients with schizophrenia in a phase-3 double-blind (DB) study (NCT03345342). Here, we report long-term efficacy and safety results from a 2-year single-arm, open-label extension (OLE; NCT04072575) of this DB study. Participants who completed the DB study without relapse were enrolled and followed-up every 3 months up to 2 years. Participants received 4 PP6M gluteal-injections (700/1000mg eq.) at baseline, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month visits. Efficacy endpoints included assessment of relapse, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score, Personal and Social Performance (PSP) score, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale change from baseline. Safety was assessed by treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Of 178 participants enrolled, 154 (86.5%) completed the OLE; mean age: 40.4 years, men: 70.8%. Mean duration of PP6M exposure during OLE was 682.1 days. Overall, 7/178 (3.9%) participants relapsed between 20-703 days after enrolment. Mean (SD) change from baseline to endpoint: PANSS total score, 0.7 (8.22); CGI-S, 0.0 (0.51); PSP Scale, 0.5 (7.47). Overall, 111/178 participants (62.4%) reported ≥1 TEAE; most common (>5%) TEAEs were headaches (13.5%) and increased blood prolactin/hyperprolactinemia (18.0%); 8/178 (4.5%) participants experienced serious TEAEs, and 6/178 (3.4%) participants withdrew due to TEAEs; no deaths were reported. The relapse rate observed with PP6M during the 2-year OLE was low (3.9%). Clinical and functional improvements demonstrated in the DB study were maintained during OLE and no new safety concerns were identified.

Impact of cognitive performance and negative symptoms on psychosocial functioning in Czech schizophrenia patients

Schizophrenia has a profound influence on the real-life functioning of patients. There are several factors inherent to the disease course affecting the level of psychosocial functioning. Our study focused on the impact of cognitive deficit and severity of negative symptoms (i.e., the experiential domain (avolition, asociality, and anhedonia) and the expressive domain (blunted affect and alogia)) to explore psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia patients (n = 211) were tested for the presence of cognitive impairment using the NIMH-MATRICS: Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Cattery (MCCB; MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery) and the extent of negative symptoms using the PANSS (PANSS; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale—selected items). The level of psychosocial functioning was measured with the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP). The path analysis using three regression models was used to analyse variables influencing psychosocial functioning (PSP). One of these models analyzed influence of cognitive functioning (MCCB) and negative schizophrenia symptoms (PANSS selected items reflecting expressive and experiential deficits) as predictors and NART/CRT and disease length as confounders. R2 was 0.54. The direct effect of the MCCB (β = 0.09) on the PSP was suppressed by the strong effect of the negative symptoms (β = −0.64). The presence of cognitive deficits and negative symptoms in our sample of schizophrenia patients significantly influences the level of their psychosocial functioning, a key factor in remission and recovery.

Efficacy of low-dose risperidone in combination with sertraline in first-episode drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled open-label study

ObjectiveDespite advances in pharmacology, the treatment of schizophrenia (SZ) remains a challenge due to relapse after antipsychotic discontinuation and multiple adverse effects of antipsychotics. We hypothesized that a low dose of risperidone in combination with sertraline would reduce serious adverse effects without decreasing treatment response. This study aimed to examine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of low-dose risperidone combined with sertraline to reduce risperidone dose and serious adverse effects in first-episode and medication-naive (FEMN) SZ patients.MethodsA total of 230 patients with FEMN SZ were randomly assigned to receive low-dose risperidone in combination with sertraline (RS group) or regular-dose risperidone (control group). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), and Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) were assessed at baseline and the end of the first, second, third, and sixth months. In addition, serum prolactin levels and extrapyramidal symptoms were measured at baseline and follow-up.ResultsRepeated measures ANCOVA showed significant interaction effects of treatment by time on psychotic symptoms, as well as HAMD, PSP scores, prolactin levels, and extrapyramidal symptoms (all p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the RS group had greater decreases in PANSS total score and its subscores and HAMD score (all p < 0.01) and a greater increase in PSP total score (p < 0.01). Notably, side effects were lower in the RS group relative to the control group. Improvements in HAMD and PANSS total scores, changes in prolactin levels and gender predicted improvements in PSP from baseline to month 6.ConclusionsOur study suggests that low-dose risperidone in combination with sertraline was more effective for psychotic symptoms and psychosocial functioning, with significantly fewer adverse effects in patients with FEMN SZ.Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04076371

The motivation and pleasure deficits but not expressivity affects social functioning through cognitive function in male patients with schizophrenia: A structural equation model.

This study aims to compare cognitive function and social functioning in male schizophrenia patients with deficit syndrome (DS) and non-DS, and to explore the associations among two different dimensions of negative symptoms (motivation and pleasure (MAP) and expressivity (EXP) deficits), cognitive function and social functioning base on a Structural Equation Model (SEM). The current study enrolled 161 male schizophrenia patients and 120 age- and education- matched healthy controls. The DS and non-DS group were categorized by the Chinese version of Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome (SDS). The psychotic and negative symptoms were evaluated by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Brief Negative Symptoms Scale (BNSS). The Social functioning was measured by Scale of Social function in Psychosis Inpatients (SSPI). A battery of classical neurocognitive tests was used for assessing cognition including sustained vigilance/attention, cognitive flexibility, ideation fluency and visuospatial memory. Our study indicated that DS patients performed worser in cognitive function and social functioning than non-DS patients. The SEM model demonstrated that MAP significantly affected social functioning through direct influence and mediation of cognitive function. However, our results found that EXP had little influence on cognitive function and social function. Our findings provided evidence supporting that DS may represent as a subtype of schizophrenia, and the MAP factor play a pivotal role to influence the cognitive and social functioning in schizophrenia patients.