Goals in Focus: CBT for Motivational Negative Symptoms of Psychosis

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF HAMBURG-EPPENDORF · Feb 22, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Goals in Focus" trial is looking at a new therapy designed to help people with psychosis, particularly those experiencing motivational negative symptoms, which can make it hard to feel motivated or enjoy life. This study is currently recruiting participants who are diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and have moderate to severe motivational symptoms. To be eligible, participants need to be able to speak German, commit to weekly 50-minute therapy sessions, and be motivated to reduce their symptoms.

If you or someone you know qualifies and decides to participate, you can expect to take part in a structured therapy program that aims to improve motivation and overall quality of life. The study will help researchers understand how effective this new approach is, paving the way for larger studies in the future. It's important to note that individuals with severe risks to themselves or others, or those currently receiving other specific therapies for these symptoms, will not be eligible for this trial.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ICD-10 diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM V Clinical Version
• • at least moderate motivational negative symptoms (i.e., scores ≥ 3 (moderate) in two items or ≥ 4 (moderately severe) in one item of the 'motivation and pleasure factor' of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS)
• • sufficient skills in German language to participate in psychological therapy
• • capable to engage in weekly therapy sessions of 50-minutes
• • prioritize the reduction of negative symptoms as their current goal for treatment
• • capable to give informed consent to participate in the trial
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • being at immediate and serious risk to self or others
• • co-morbid diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorder
• • intake of Benzodiazepines for \>2 days per week
• • receiving any other psychological treatment aiming to reduce motivational negative symptoms