Title

Guanfacine Augmentation of a Combined Intervention of Computerized Cognitive Remediation Therapy and Social Skills Training for Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Abstract

Objective: Impaired cognition is a hallmark of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, and it is the best predictor of functional outcome. Cognitive remediation therapy has demonstrated efficacy for improving cognition, augmenting other rehabilitation efforts in schizophrenia, and effecting gains in real-world functioning. Pharmacological augmentation of cognitive remediation has been attempted, but the effects of augmentation on combined therapies, such as cognitive remediation and social skills training, have not been studied.

Methods: Twenty-eight participants with schizotypal personality disorder enrolled in an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of guanfacine plus cognitive remediation and social skills training (15 guanfacine, 13 placebo). Cognition was assessed with the MATRICS (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), social cognition with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), and functional capacity with the University of California San Diego Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA).

Results: A statistically significant pre- versus posttreatment effect was observed for MCCB speed of processing, verbal learning, and visual learning and UPSA total score. A significant time-by-medication (guanfacine, placebo) interaction was observed for MCCB reasoning and problem solving and UPSA total score; the time-by-treatment interaction approached significance for MASC hypomentalizing errors.

Conclusions: Both guanfacine and cognitive remediation plus social skills training were well tolerated, with no side effects or dropouts. Participants treated with cognitive remediation, social skills training, and guanfacine demonstrated statistically significant improvements in reasoning and problem solving, as well as in functional capacity and possibly social cognition, compared with those treated with cognitive remediation, social skills training, and placebo. Cognitive remediation plus social skills training may be an appropriate intervention for individuals with schizotypal personality disorder, and guanfacine appears to be a promising pharmaceutical augmentation to this psychosocial intervention.

Comments

© 2019 American Psychiatric Association

A link to full text has been provided for authorized subscribers.

The official published article is available online at https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18030349.

Publication Title

The American Journal of Psychiatry

Published Citation

McClure, Margaret M, Fiona Graff, Joseph Triebwasser, Mercedes Perez-Rodriguez, Daniel R Rosell, Harold Koenigsberg, Erin A Hazlett, Larry J Siever, Philip D Harvey, and Antonia S New. “Guanfacine Augmentation of a Combined Intervention of Computerized Cognitive Remediation Therapy and Social Skills Training for Schizotypal Personality Disorder.” The American Journal of Psychiatry 176, no. 4 (April 2019): 307–314. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18030349.

DOI

10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18030349

Peer Reviewed

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