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Targeting anxiety to improve quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

M. Buonocore ,
M. Bosia ,
M. Bechi ,
M. Spangaro ,
S. Cavedoni ,
F. Cocchi ,
L. Bianchi ,
C. Guglielmino ,
A.R. Mastromatteo  and
R. Cavallaro
M. Buonocore*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy
M. Bosia
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
M. Bechi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy
M. Spangaro
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
S. Cavedoni
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy
F. Cocchi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy
L. Bianchi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy
C. Guglielmino
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy
A.R. Mastromatteo
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
R. Cavallaro
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Stamira d’Ancona 20, 20127Milan, Italy Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail address:buonocore.mariachiara@hsr.it (M. Buonocore).
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Abstract

Background:

Several studies suggested that anxiety can significantly affect the outcome of schizophrenia. Despite this evidence, non-pharmacological interventions targeting anxiety are still heterogenous. This study aims to test the efficacy of a novel training specifically designed to target anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. Innovatively, this training, beyond psychoeducation and problem solving, also targets Theory of Mind, as it provides coping strategies.

Method:

Twenty-seven outpatients with schizophrenia received a novel rehabilitative training targeting anxiety (Anxiety Management Group [AMG]) combined with a Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation (CACR), and twenty received CACR plus a control intervention (Control Newspaper discussion Group [CNG]). All patients were assessed at baseline and after treatment for quality of life, neurocognition and anxiety.

Results:

After training, patients treated with AMG + CACR showed significantly greater improvements on anxiety. A significant increase in quality of life was observed only for AMG + CACR group. Moreover, the participants’ appraisal showed a significant difference between treatment groups with higher ratings among patients who received the AMG + CACR.

Conclusions:

This study thus suggests feasibility and efficacy of the proposed intervention, that could be implemented in rehabilitative programs for patients with schizophrenia with potential benefits also on disease course and outcome.

Keywords

Stress managementPsychosisRehabilitationCognitive remediationCognitionState Trait Anxiety Inventory
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 45 , September 2017 , pp. 129 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017

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