Joseph Ventura1, Tamara Welikson2, Arielle Ered3, Kenneth L Subotnik1, Richard S E Keefe4, Gerhard S Hellemann1, Keith H Nuechterlein1,5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. 2. Department of Psychology, Alliant University, Alhambra, California. 3. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. 5. Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
Abstract
AIM: Computer-based virtual reality assessments of functional capacity have shown promise as a reliable and valid way to assess individuals with multi-episode schizophrenia. However, there has been little research utilizing this innovative approach with young patients who are in the early phase of schizophrenia. METHODS: Outpatients in the early course of schizophrenia (n = 42) were compared to controls (n = 13) at cross-sectional study points. Patients were within 2 years of their first psychotic episode, were an average of 22.2 years old and had an average of 12.3 years of education. We used the Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Performance-Based Skills Assessment-2 (UPSA-2) to assess functional capacity. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI) were the measures of cognitive functioning. The Global Functioning Scale: Role (GFS-R) and Social (GFS-S), and the Role Functioning Scale (RFS) were the measures of daily functioning. RESULTS: Early course patients vs controls were slower (patient M = 830.41 seconds vs control M = 716.84 seconds; t = 3.0, P < .01) and committed more errors (patient M = 3.2 vs control M = 1.7 seconds, t = 2.9, P < .01) on the VRFCAT. Total time was significantly correlated with the UPSA (r = -0.66, P < .01), MCCB (r = -0.70, P < .01), CAI (r = -0.51, P < .01), and GFS role (r = -0.52, P <. 01) and social functioning (r = -0.43, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: We extend previous findings to patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Virtual-reality-based performance was correlated with a standard test of functional capacity, indicating VRFCAT validity. Furthermore, correlations with cognitive functioning and occupational/school and social functioning indicate promise as a co-primary measure to track changes in response to treatment.
AIM: Computer-based virtual reality assessments of functional capacity have shown promise as a reliable and valid way to assess individuals with multi-episode schizophrenia. However, there has been little research utilizing this innovative approach with young patients who are in the early phase of schizophrenia. METHODS: Outpatients in the early course of schizophrenia (n = 42) were compared to controls (n = 13) at cross-sectional study points. Patients were within 2 years of their first psychotic episode, were an average of 22.2 years old and had an average of 12.3 years of education. We used the Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Performance-Based Skills Assessment-2 (UPSA-2) to assess functional capacity. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI) were the measures of cognitive functioning. The Global Functioning Scale: Role (GFS-R) and Social (GFS-S), and the Role Functioning Scale (RFS) were the measures of daily functioning. RESULTS: Early course patients vs controls were slower (patient M = 830.41 seconds vs control M = 716.84 seconds; t = 3.0, P < .01) and committed more errors (patient M = 3.2 vs control M = 1.7 seconds, t = 2.9, P < .01) on the VRFCAT. Total time was significantly correlated with the UPSA (r = -0.66, P < .01), MCCB (r = -0.70, P < .01), CAI (r = -0.51, P < .01), and GFS role (r = -0.52, P <. 01) and social functioning (r = -0.43, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: We extend previous findings to patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Virtual-reality-based performance was correlated with a standard test of functional capacity, indicating VRFCAT validity. Furthermore, correlations with cognitive functioning and occupational/school and social functioning indicate promise as a co-primary measure to track changes in response to treatment.
Authors: Joseph Ventura; Kenneth L Subotnik; Arielle Ered; Gerhard S Hellemann; Keith H Nuechterlein Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2016-02-04 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Margaret M McClure; Christopher R Bowie; Thomas L Patterson; Robert K Heaton; Christine Weaver; Hannah Anderson; Philip D Harvey Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2006-09-18 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Michael F Green; Nina R Schooler; Robert S Kern; Fred J Frese; Wendy Granberry; Philip D Harvey; Craig N Karson; Nancy Peters; Michelle Stewart; Larry J Seidman; John Sonnenberg; William S Stone; David Walling; Ellen Stover; Stephen R Marder Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2011-02-01 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Richard S E Keefe; Vicki G Davis; Alexandra S Atkins; Adam Vaughan; Tom Patterson; Meera Narasimhan; Philip D Harvey Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2016-04-16 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Richard S E Keefe; Terry E Goldberg; Philip D Harvey; James M Gold; Margaret P Poe; Leigh Coughenour Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2004-06-01 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Christopher R Bowie; Abraham Reichenberg; Thomas L Patterson; Robert K Heaton; Philip D Harvey Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Mor Nahum; Hyunkyu Lee; Melissa Fisher; Michael F Green; Christine I Hooker; Joseph Ventura; Joshua T Jordan; Annika Rose; Sarah-Jane Kim; Kristen M Haut; Michael M Merzenich; Sophia Vinogradov Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2021-01-23 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Philip D Harvey; William P Horan; Alexandra S Atkins; Heather Stevens; Matthew Welch; Joshua Yuan; Thomas L Patterson; Meera Narasimhan; Richard S E Keefe Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2020-09-11 Impact factor: 4.939