Search

ObjectivesThe Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) initiative was designed to encourage the development of cognitive enhancing agents for schizophrenia. For a medication to receive this indication, regulatory agencies require evidence of improvement in both cognition and functional outcome. Functional capacity measures typically used in clinical trials as intermediate measures of functional outcome must be adapted to fit different cultural contexts for use internationally. We examined the psychometric properties of the MATRICS Functional Assessment Battery (MFAB), comprised of 2 subtests from the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) and one from the Test of Adaptive Behavior in Schizophrenia (TABS) that were rated by experts in a previous study to be the most appropriate functional capacity assessments across different cultural contexts.MethodFour sites in India administered the MFAB, a brief version of the UPSA, the MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery, measures of symptomatology, and a measure of global functional outcome to 141 individuals with schizophrenia at a baseline assessment and at 4 weeks later.ResultsTest-retest reliability based on the intraclass correlation coefficient was significantly better for the UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment-Brief (UPSA-B). Pearson correlation coefficients over time were not significantly different for the 2 measures. Only the MFAB was significantly correlated with functional outcome as measured by the Specific Levels of Functioning Scale.ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of the MFAB and UPSA-B were similar. The MATRICS scientific board chose to translate the MFAB into multiple languages for potential use in studies of novel medications seeking an indication for improving cognition in schizophrenia.

This paper describes a novel approach to engaging psychiatric patients in care after discharge from inpatient or ER treatment. The Access Group model provides rapid, flexible, high-volume intake for up to 20 patient referrals per day. Patients are scheduled for intake by referring hospital clinicians using an online scheduling software and can be seen within 1-3 days of hospital discharge. Access allows flexibility, easy rescheduling, and limited wait time. At intake, patients and family members participate in a structured group intake procedure from which they are scheduled for follow-up psychiatry, therapy, and social work appointments. Same-day appointments are available for urgent needs. Initial evidence suggests that the Access Group model is effective at providing rapid access to and engagement in care, and is acceptable to patients. Generalizability and funding approaches for the model are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]