title: Social cognitive training in adolescents with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: feasibility and preliminary effects of the intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) often have deficits in social cognition and social skills that contribute to poor adaptive functioning. These deficits may be of relevance to the later occurrence of serious psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia. Yet, there are no evidence-based interventions to improve social cognitive functioning in children with 22q11DS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a customised social cognitive curriculum, we conducted a pilot small-group-based social cognitive training (SCT) programme in 13 adolescents with 22q11DS, relative to a control group of nine age- and gender-matched adolescents with 22q11DS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found the SCT programme to be feasible, with high rates of compliance and satisfaction on the part of the participants and their families. Our preliminary analyses indicated that the intervention group showed significant improvements in an overall social cognitive composite index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCT in a small-group format for adolescents with 22q11DS is feasible and results in gains in social cognition. A larger randomised controlled trial would permit assessment of efficacy of this promising novel intervention.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Shashi
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Harrell
authors: School of Social Work and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Eack
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Sanders
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: McConkie-Rosell
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Keshavan
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Bonner
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Schoch
authors: Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Hooper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004062:DiGeorge Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012938:Social Perception; D066107:Social Skills; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: behavioural phenotypes; genetics; intellectual disability; mental health; psychiatric disorders