title: Randomized clinical trial of cognitive behavioral social skills training for schizophrenia: improvement in functioning and experiential negative symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identifying treatments to improve functioning and reduce negative symptoms in consumers with schizophrenia is of high public health significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized clinical trial, participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 149) were randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral social skills training (CBSST) or an active goal-focused supportive contact (GFSC) control condition. CBSST combined cognitive behavior therapy with social skills training and problem-solving training to improve functioning and negative symptoms. GFSC was weekly supportive group therapy focused on setting and achieving functioning goals. Blind raters assessed functioning (primary outcome: Independent Living Skills Survey [ILSS]), CBSST skill knowledge, positive and negative symptoms, depression, and defeatist performance attitudes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In mixed-effects regression models in intent-to-treat analyses, CBSST skill knowledge, functioning, amotivation/asociality negative symptoms, and defeatist performance attitudes improved significantly more in CBSST relative to GFSC. In both treatment groups, comparable improvements were also found for positive symptoms and a performance-based measure of social competence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest CBSST is an effective treatment to improve functioning and experiential negative symptoms in consumers with schizophrenia, and both CBSST and supportive group therapy actively focused on setting and achieving functioning goals can improve social competence and reduce positive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Granholm
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Link
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs San Francisco Medical Center.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McQuaid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009341:Negativism; D011340:Problem Solving; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D066107:Social Skills; D016896:Treatment Outcome