Do clozapine and risperidone affect social competence and problem solving?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of clozapine and risperidone on social skill and problem solving in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Maryland Assessment of Social Competence were administered at baseline, week 17, and week 29 of a multisite clinical trial.


RESULTS
Despite evidence of clinical improvement with both medications, there was virtually no medication effect on either social competence or problem solving.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the circumscribed nature of symptomatic improvement in the broader spectrum of clinical outcomes and suggest that new-generation medications may not be expected to produce substantial changes in social role functioning or social problem-solving capacity in the community. The generalizability of the findings should be viewed cautiously because of the low power of this trial, and replication is warranted.
Bellack
Alan S
AS
Mental Health Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore 21201, USA. alan.bellack@med.va.gov
Schooler
Nina R
NR
Marder
Stephen R
SR
Kane
John M
JM
Brown
Clayton H
CH
Yang
Ye
Y
D000328:Adult; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior
D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone