A significant proportion of people with schizophrenia are characterized by impaired ability
to socially engage with others, which may reflect social aversion secondary to defeatist
beliefs; decreased motivation for social interactions; and/or impairment in the normal
reinforcement value of social interactions. These impairments in social function have been
shown to be associated with social skill deficits; and decreased ability to identify and
remember emotional facial expressions and empathize with the emotional status of others.
Unfortunately, pharmacological interventions have limited benefits for impaired social
function, whereas psychosocial interventions provide only partial benefit for this critical
aspect of the illness. The development of an effective intervention for functional outcomes
remains a central therapeutic challenge. Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST)
uses corrective feedback and reinforcement provided by successful interactions to challenge
and reduce defeatist performance beliefs that contribute to low drive and interfere with
social functioning. CBSST has been shown to have modest effects on social function in people
with schizophrenia. Oxytocin plays a critical role in the regulation of normal social
affiliative behavior; it is hypothesized to enhance social affiliation through the reduction
of anxiety or social risk aversion; the enhancement of motivation for prosocial approach
behavior; and/or increased modulation of the salience and processing of social cues. People
with schizophrenia have decreased oxytocin levels, which are associated with an impaired
ability to identify facial emotions and decreased prosocial behaviors. The study will be
comprised of three phases: 1) 2-week Evaluation Phase; 2) 24-week Double-blind Treatment
Phase; and 3) 3-month Follow-up Phase.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Maryland University of Maryland, Baltimore