@Article{info:doi/10.2196/57031,
author="Fonseca, Ana Olivia
and Gomes, July Silveira
and Novaes, Rafael Angulo Condoretti Barros
and Dias, C{\'i}ntia Lopes
and Rodrigues, Maria Eva de Miranda Alves
and Gadelha, Ary
and Noto, Cristiano",
title="Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment Program for People With Schizophrenia After the First Episode of Psychosis: Protocol for an Open-Label Intervention Study",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2024",
month="Sep",
day="6",
volume="13",
pages="e57031",
keywords="schizophrenia; Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment program; cognitive intervention; functionality; first-episode psychosis; early stages; Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment; FIE; psychotic disorder; psychotic disorders; neurocognitive deficits; economic burden; cognitive rehabilitation; quality of life; daily living; cognitive assessment; maze task; mental disorder; cognitive deficits; mental health; psychosis",
abstract="Background: Schizophrenia is a disorder associated with neurocognitive deficits that adversely affect daily functioning and impose an economic burden. Cognitive rehabilitation interventions, particularly during the early phases of illness, have been shown to improve cognition, functionality, and quality of life. The Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) program, based on the Mediated Learning Experience and the Structural Cognitive Modifiability theory, has been applied in various disorders, but its applicability in schizophrenia has not yet been clarified. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of the FIE program on the functionality of patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Methods: In total, 17 patients will be recruited for an open-label intervention consisting of twice-weekly sessions for 10 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be changes in the Goal Achievement Scale score. Maze task performance from the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) battery will serve as a secondary outcome measure. At the same time, changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores and other MATRICS domains will be analyzed as exploratory outcomes. Assessments will be administered before and after the intervention, with a follow-up period of 6 months. Results: This trial was preregistered in The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-4gzhy4s). By February 2024, 11 participants were enrolled in the training. Recruitment is expected to be completed by May 2024. Data analysis will be conducted between May and September 2024. The results are expected to be published in January 2025. Conclusions: This study may establish a protocol for the FIE program that uses mediation techniques for individuals in the early stages of schizophrenia. The results will add to the knowledge about strategies to promote cognitive skills and functional impairment in daily life. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/57031 ",
issn="1929-0748",
doi="10.2196/57031",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e57031",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/57031",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39240685"
}