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Mental Illness Research,
Education & Clinical Center (MIRECC)
VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
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Participate in Clinical Trials
Innovative Methods for Improving Work Outcome
What is this study about?
Deficits in work functioning are common to persons with schizophrenia, with estimates of unemployment at 80-85 percent. These figures are particularly sobering given that many persons with schizophrenia value work and express a desire to return to competitive employment. This NIMH-funded project has two primary aims: (a) to develop a training manual to be used by employment specialists to teach their severely mentally ill clients how to perform basic work skills, and (b) to conduct a pilot study to test the efficacy of the training method with a small group of employment specialists and 40 schizoaffective disorder outpatients participating in a transitional employments program. This project is in the data collection phase and will be completed in the early part of 2006.
Who would qualify?
- Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Males & females between the ages of 18-60
- No current substance abuse
- No history of head injury with loss of consciousness
- No history of seizures or other neurological disorders
- Community control subjects
- Males & females between the ages of 25-55
- With no more than 14 years of education
- Not currently taking psychotropic medications
- No history of major psychiatric disorder
- No history of substance dependence
- No first degree relative with Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
- No history of head injury with loss of consciousness
- No history of seizures or other neurological disorders
What do you have to do?
- Interview - (1 hour and 45 minutes)
- covering topics of personal, emotional, substance use history, etc.
- Assessments - (4.5 - 8.5 hours)
- You will be asked to identify objects that are presented on a computer
- Your brain's electrical activity will be recorded in response to looking
at objects and listening to sounds (electroencephalogram; EEG)
- You will be asked to identify emotions in pictures, on audiotape, and on
videos of people interacting
- You will be asked to perform learning and memory tests.
Compensation?
- We pay $12 per hour and will reimburse you for travel related costs
Contact information for questions or enrollment
- Shelly Crosby, Project Recruiter (310) 478-3711 ext. 49234
- Michael F. Green, Ph.D., Principal Investigator (310) 268-3376
Disclaimer:
This web site, is offered as a public service and is not intended to substitute for professional medical care.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date:
September 22, 2006 |
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