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Virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in the early course of schizophrenia: Associations with cognitive performance and daily functioning.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ventura, J; Welikson, T; Ered, A; Subotnik, KL; Keefe, RSE; Hellemann, GS; Nuechterlein, KH
Published in: Early Interv Psychiatry
February 2020

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.

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Published In

Early Interv Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1751-7893

Publication Date

February 2020

Volume

14

Issue

1

Start / End Page

106 / 114

Location

Australia

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Virtual Reality
  • Social Adjustment
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Schizophrenia
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Personality Assessment
  • Neuropsychological Tests
 

Citation

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Ventura, J., Welikson, T., Ered, A., Subotnik, K. L., Keefe, R. S. E., Hellemann, G. S., & Nuechterlein, K. H. (2020). Virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in the early course of schizophrenia: Associations with cognitive performance and daily functioning. Early Interv Psychiatry, 14(1), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12831
Ventura, Joseph, Tamara Welikson, Arielle Ered, Kenneth L. Subotnik, Richard S. E. Keefe, Gerhard S. Hellemann, and Keith H. Nuechterlein. “Virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in the early course of schizophrenia: Associations with cognitive performance and daily functioning.Early Interv Psychiatry 14, no. 1 (February 2020): 106–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12831.
Ventura J, Welikson T, Ered A, Subotnik KL, Keefe RSE, Hellemann GS, et al. Virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in the early course of schizophrenia: Associations with cognitive performance and daily functioning. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2020 Feb;14(1):106–14.
Ventura, Joseph, et al. “Virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in the early course of schizophrenia: Associations with cognitive performance and daily functioning.Early Interv Psychiatry, vol. 14, no. 1, Feb. 2020, pp. 106–14. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/eip.12831.
Ventura J, Welikson T, Ered A, Subotnik KL, Keefe RSE, Hellemann GS, Nuechterlein KH. Virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in the early course of schizophrenia: Associations with cognitive performance and daily functioning. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2020 Feb;14(1):106–114.
Journal cover image

Published In

Early Interv Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1751-7893

Publication Date

February 2020

Volume

14

Issue

1

Start / End Page

106 / 114

Location

Australia

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Virtual Reality
  • Social Adjustment
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Schizophrenia
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Personality Assessment
  • Neuropsychological Tests