ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Psichiatrica 2020 December;61(4):171-83

DOI: 10.23736/S0391-1772.20.02092-0

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Evaluating the feasibility of the Italian version of the computerized interactive remediation of cognition training for schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS)

Caterina LA CASCIA ¹ ✉, Laura FERRARO ¹, Fabio SEMINERIO ¹, Alessandra SCAGLIONE ¹, Giuseppe MANIACI ¹, Domenica MATRANGA ², Lucia SIDELI ¹, Giuseppe COLLI ¹, Crocettarachele SARTORIO ¹, Filippo LA PAGLIA ¹, Giada TRIPOLI ¹, Rosa LO BAIDO ¹, Matteo CELLA ³, Daniele LA BARBERA ¹

¹ Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnosis, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; ² Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; ³ Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK

BACKGROUND: CIRCuiTS is a computerized cognitive remediation program for individuals with schizophrenia. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the Italian version of CIRCuiTS.
METHODS: Feasibility was measured through ad-hoc questionnaires in a non-clinical sample (N.=30; target-score 70%; study 1); in patients with schizophrenia (N.=5; target-score 60%; study 2) and CR therapists (N.=3; target-score 60%; study 2). Study 3 was a pilot study investigating: 1) enrolment, compliance, and retention rates; 2) satisfaction; 3) potential post-treatment and follow-up improvements in patients with schizophrenia (N.=20). These results were used to estimate sample size and feasibility for a future trial.
RESULTS: All non-clinical participants rated high feasibility of CIRCuiTS (83.3-100% scores). All patients (60-100% high-scores) and CR therapists (66-100% high-scores) evaluated CIRCuiTS feasible. High rates of retention in treatment (74.5%) and satisfaction (85-100%) in patients were showed. Post-treatment assessment revealed an improvement in all cognitive measures. A sample size of 32 was calculated for each arm of the trial, at the desired power of 80%, to recruit for 18 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Results showed the feasibility of the Italian version of CIRCuiTS, they will inform a controlled future trial and implementation study of this therapy approach in the Italian mental health system.

KEY WORDS: Schizophrenia; Computers; Metacognition; Rehabilitation; Pilot projects