REACH Study (Recovery Environments: Assessing Cognitive & Brain Health in Community Mental Health)

Launched by CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · May 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The REACH Study aims to explore how different types of community-based mental health care can impact thinking skills, everyday activities, and brain health in adults with schizophrenia and similar conditions. One specific focus of the study is to see if a supportive program called the Clubhouse Model offers unique benefits compared to regular outpatient mental health services. Participants who choose to take part in the study will attend a total of six visits over about six months, where they will complete interviews, answer questionnaires, do some thinking and memory tasks, and undergo a safe MRI brain scan to understand brain activity.

To be eligible for the study, participants must be between the ages of 18 and 50 and have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or related disorders. They should also be stable on their psychiatric medication, meaning their medication has not changed in the last month. Participants will need to be able to read and speak English at a sixth-grade level or higher. It's important to note that individuals with certain conditions or recent hospitalizations, or those who are currently part of a Clubhouse program, cannot participate. Overall, this study seeks to gather valuable insights into mental health care options and their effects on individuals' cognitive and brain health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • (1) have a DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform confirmed by diagnostic assessment and medical record review
• • (2) between the ages of 18-50
• • (3) stabilized on psychotropic medication as indicated by no changes to the primary psychiatric medication in the last month
• • (4) able to read and speak fluent English at a sixth grade level or higher for purposes of informed consent and cognitive testing
• • For Clubhouse members, they must be a first-time, newly enrolled member
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • (1) had previous membership at a Clubhouse (Magnolia or elsewhere)
• • (2) have a current severe substance use disorder
• • (3) have persistent suicidal or homicidal behavior
• • (4) a co-occurring diagnosis of an intellectual or learning disability or neurodevelopment condition (e.g., Autism; based on chart review)
• • (5) had recent psychiatric instability requiring hospitalization in the past month;
• • (6) history of a traumatic brain injury (TBI; based on record review)
• • (7) contraindicators for MRI (e.g., pacemaker, claustrophobia)
• • Participants in the usual care will be excluded if they are a current Clubhouse member or join a Clubhouse during participation in this research