Occupational Goal Intervention Method for the Management of Executive Dysfunction in People With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s)

Vizzotto, Adriana ^[1] ; Celestino, Diego ^[2] ; Buchain, Patricia ^[3] ; Oliveira, Alexandra ^[3] ; Oliveira, Graca ^{[4, 5]} ; Di Sarno, Elaine ^[6] ; Napolitano, Isabel ^[6] ; Elkis, Helio ^{[7, 8, 9]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch, Occupat Therapy Serv, Inst Psychiat, Hosp Clin, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Canc Inst, Med Sch, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Inst Psychiat, Med Sch, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Inst Psychiat, Dept Psychol, Med Sch, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Inst Psychiat, Dept Neuropsychot, Med Sch, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Inst Psychiat, Schizophrenia Res Program, Med Sch, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch, Dept Psychiat, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[8] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch, Inst Psychiat, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[9] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch, Schizophrenia Res Program, Hosp Clin, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY; v. 75, n. 3 MAY-JUN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Importance: The occupational goal intervention (OGI) method has been proven effective in improving executive function (EF) in people with schizophrenia, but it has not yet been tested with those with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Objective: To test the efficacy of the OGI in people with TRS. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: The Schizophrenia Program, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo General Hospital, Brazil. Participants: People with TRS according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) criteria, ages 18 to 55. Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome: improvement in EF as measured by the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS). Secondary outcomes: improvement of functionality, as measured by the Direct Assessment of Functional Status-Revised (DAFS-BR), and improvement in autonomy in activities of daily living (ADLs), as measured by the Independent Living Skills Survey (ILSS-BR), administered to caregivers. The outcomes were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and follow-up. Intervention: Participants were divided into two groups: OGI and craft activities (control). Each group participated in 30 sessions during 15 wk, with follow-up at 6 mo postintervention. Results: The OGI group improved significantly compared with the control group, with medium to large effect sizes in posttreatment scores on the BADS and DAFS-BR. The ILSS-BR showed the highest effect sizes at posttreatment and follow-up. Conclusions and Relevance: The OGI method is effective for improving EF, occupational performance and ADLs in people with TRS. What This Article Adds: The OGI method is an important therapeutic tool for use in the occupational therapy clinic. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/01382-1 - Randomized and controlled trial to evaluate efficacy of occupational therapy in the rehabilitation of executive functions in patients with schizophrenia resistant
• Grantee: Helio Elkis
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants