title: Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) for outpatients with bipolar disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with bipolar disorder show social cognition deficits during both symptomatic and euthymic phases of the illness, partially independent of other cognitive dysfunctions and current mood. Previous studies in schizophrenia have revealed that social cognition is a modifiable domain. Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) is an 18-week, manual-based, group treatment designed to improve social functioning by way of social cognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  37 outpatients with DSM-IV-TR bipolar and schizoaffective disorders were randomly assigned to treatment as usual (TAU)+SCIT (n=21) or TAU (n=16). Independent, blind evaluators assessed subjects before and after the intervention on Face Emotion Identification Task (FEIT), Face Emotion Discrimination (FEDT), Emotion Recognition (ER40), Theory of Mind (Hinting Task) and Hostility Bias (AIHQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of covariance revealed significant group effects for emotion perception, theory of mind, and depressive symptoms. The SCIT group showed a small within-group decrease on the AIHQ Blame subscale, a moderate decrease in AIHQ Hostility Bias, a small increase in scores on the Hinting Task, a moderate increase on the ER40, and large increases on the FEDT and FEIT. There was no evidence of effects on aggressive attributional biases or on global functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No follow up assessment was conducted, so it is unknown whether the effects of SCIT persist over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial provides preliminary evidence that SCIT is feasible and may improve social cognition for bipolar and schizoaffective outpatients.
authors: Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alcala, Madrid, Spain. guillermo.lahera@uah.es
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lahera
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Benito
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Montes
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Fernández-Liria
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Olbert
authors: D L
authors: DL
authors: Penn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012938:Social Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome