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Theatre improvisation training to promote social cognition: A novel recovery‐oriented intervention for youths at clinical risk for psychosis
Author(s) -
Tang Sunny X.,
Seelaus Kevin H.,
Moore Tyler M.,
Taylor Jerome,
Moog Carol,
O'Connor David,
Burkholder Marla,
Kohler Christian G.,
Grant Paul M.,
Eliash Dvora,
Calkins Monica E.,
Gur Raquel E.,
Gur Ruben C.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12834
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , clinical psychology , cognition , psychology , intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , randomized controlled trial , global assessment of functioning , psychiatry , medicine , surgery
Aim Few interventions address social cognition or functioning in individuals at clinical risk (CR) for psychosis. Theatre Improvisation Training to Promote Social Cognition (TIPS) is a manualized intervention based on drama therapy. We aim to describe TIPS, evaluate feasibility and acceptability, and present a preliminary investigation of outcomes in a quasi‐experimental design. Methods Thirty‐six CR participants (15‐25 years) were ascertained from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort. Twenty‐six completed the TIPS protocol: 18 weekly 2‐hour group sessions led by a theatre director and actor‐assistant. Participants engaged in collaborative acting and improvisation exercises. Baseline and follow‐up assessments included the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS), Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB), which includes social cognitive tests. Acceptability was assessed using focus groups. Preliminary outcomes were compared to CR controls who were not enrolled in the study but completed follow‐up assessments using the same methods. Results There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, psychosis symptoms, or cognition between those who did and did not complete the protocol. Overall, TIPS was considered feasible and acceptable among CR. Preliminary outcomes suggest that TIPS may be effective in improving positive and negative psychosis‐spectrum symptoms and GAF, but not performance on facial emotion processing. Conclusions TIPS is a promising and acceptable intervention that may improve symptoms and functioning in CR while providing a framework for participants to develop more empowered and confident ways of relating to others. Larger randomized controlled trials investigating TIPS efficacy are warranted.