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Enhancing stress reactivity and wellbeing in early schizophrenia : A randomized controlled trial of Integrated Coping Awareness Therapy (I-CAT)
Halverson, Tate F. Meyer-Kalos, Piper S. Perkins, D Gaylord, Susan A. Palsson, Olafur S. Nye, Lana N. Algoe, Sara B. Grewen, Karen Penn, David
Halverson, Tate F.
Meyer-Kalos, Piper S.
Perkins, D
Gaylord, Susan A.
Palsson, Olafur S.
Nye, Lana N.
Algoe, Sara B.
Grewen, Karen
Penn, David
Abstract
Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are at heightened risk for exposure to stressful life events which can lead to increased sensitivity to stress and a dysregulated stress response, which are in turn associated with poor long-term functioning. Stress reactivity is thus a promising treatment target in the early stages of SSD. Integrated-Coping Awareness Therapy (I-CAT) is a manualized intervention integrating mindfulness and positive psychology to target a dysregulated stress response in SSD. The current study is a preliminary randomized-controlled trial (RCT) comparing I-CAT (n = 18) with treatment as usual (TAU; n = 18) in individuals in the early stages of SSD. I-CAT was hypothesized to be more effective than TAU on primary outcomes: increasing positive emotions, decreasing negative emotions, reducing stress, and improving functioning and quality of life; and secondary outcomes: reducing symptoms, increasing mindfulness, and improving overall well-being. Excellent therapy attendance rates, low study attrition, and positive participant feedback demonstrated that I-CAT was a feasible and well-tolerated psychosocial intervention. Results suggest I-CAT led to greater reduction in symptoms (i.e., overall, negative, and disorganized symptoms), increased observational mindfulness, increased endorsement of a sense of purpose in life, and preservation of work abilities and school social functioning compared with TAU. Future work should replicate and extend these findings in a larger-scale RCT.
Keywords
first episode psychosis, early intervention, mindfulness, positive psychology, stress reactivity
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Schizophrenia Research
Book
Volume
235
Issue
Page Range
91-101
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled