The Fragility of Metaphors (FraMe): Learning, Loosing, and How to Train Them

NCT06375902 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 2022289RNA
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Tracking down the difficulties in metaphor comprehension experienced by individuals with schizophrenia across different metaphor types and exploring the neurological correlates via EEG recording technique

Conditions

Schizophrenia; Psychosis

Keywords

language; pragmatics; rehabilitation; electrophysiology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Tracking down the difficulties in metaphor comprehension via a behavioural task

  Tracking down the difficulties in metaphor comprehension experienced by individuals with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls across different metaphor types through the Physical and mental metaphor task (PMM) (range values 0-28, higher scores mean a better outcome).

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Tracking down the difficulties in metaphor comprehension via task during electrophysiological recording

  Exploring the difference in the neurological correlates (via electrophysiological recording technique) between patients and controls. Electrophysiological indexes that will be evaluated are event-related potential after the stimulus presentation.

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Evaluation of psychopathology

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Evaluation of cognition

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Evaluation of Theory of Mind

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Evaluation of functioning

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Evaluate the efficacy of a rehabilitative training in restoring metaphor comprehension ability

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

Study Arms (2)

Schizophrenia group

We will enroll 32 patients selected according to the presence of Schizophrenia diagnosis (DSM V criteria), which will be tested for metaphor comprehension, as well as for the other variables included in the study, and the electrical brain activity will be registered through a 128 channel EEG. Patients will be assigned either to a rehabilitative training (PragmaCom), or to a standard rehabilitative program to test if the altered neurophysiological patterns associated to the fragility of metaphor comprehension in schizophrenia can be restored.

Behavioral: PragmaCom

Healthy controls group

32 healthy subjects, as control sample, that will be tested for metaphor comprehension, as well as for the other variables included in the study, and the electrical brain activity will be registered through a 128 channel EEG.

Interventions

PragmaCom BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive behavioral intervention targeting the ability to understand metaphors

Schizophrenia group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

32 Schizophrenic patients and 32 healthy controls

You may qualify if:

• For patients:
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosis of Schizophrenia according to DSM V criteria
• Ability to provide informed consent
• For healthy controls:
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Absence of psychiatric pathologies
• Ability to speak Italian

You may not qualify if:

• For patients:
• Intellectual disability
• Neurological disorder
• For healthy controls:
• Presence of psychiatric pathologies
• Difficulties in speaking Italian

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IRCCS San Raffaele: lead

Study Sites (1)

IRCCS San Raffaele

Milan, Italy, 20100, Italy

Location

Related Publications (12)

• Bambini V, Agostoni G, Buonocore M, Tonini E, Bechi M, Ferri I, Sapienza J, Martini F, Cuoco F, Cocchi F, Bischetti L, Cavallaro R, Bosia M. It is time to address language disorders in schizophrenia: A RCT on the efficacy of a novel training targeting the pragmatics of communication (PragmaCom). J Commun Disord. 2022 May-Jun;97:106196. doi: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106196. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

  PMID: 35526293 BACKGROUND

• Thoma P, Daum I. Neurocognitive mechanisms of figurative language processing--evidence from clinical dysfunctions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2006;30(8):1182-205. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2006.09.001. Epub 2006 Oct 31.

  PMID: 17079014 BACKGROUND

• Harvey PD, Bowie CR, Friedman JI. Cognition in schizophrenia. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2001 Oct;3(5):423-8. doi: 10.1007/s11920-996-0038-7.

  PMID: 11559481 BACKGROUND

• Rossetti I, Brambilla P, Papagno C. Metaphor Comprehension in Schizophrenic Patients. Front Psychol. 2018 May 9;9:670. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00670. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 29867648 BACKGROUND

• Rapp AM, Felsenheimer AK, Langohr K, Klupp M. The Comprehension of Familiar and Novel Metaphoric Meanings in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study. Front Psychol. 2018 Jan 5;8:2251. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02251. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 29354082 BACKGROUND

• Bambini V, Arcara G, Bosinelli F, Buonocore M, Bechi M, Cavallaro R, Bosia M. A leopard cannot change its spots: A novel pragmatic account of concretism in schizophrenia. Neuropsychologia. 2020 Mar 2;139:107332. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107332. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

  PMID: 31923528 BACKGROUND

• Mossaheb N, Aschauer HN, Stoettner S, Schmoeger M, Pils N, Raab M, Willinger U. Comprehension of metaphors in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Compr Psychiatry. 2014 May;55(4):928-37. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.12.021. Epub 2014 Jan 14.

  PMID: 24556517 BACKGROUND

• Bambini V, Bertini C, Schaeken W, Stella A, Di Russo F. Disentangling Metaphor from Context: An ERP Study. Front Psychol. 2016 May 3;7:559. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00559. eCollection 2016.

  PMID: 27199799 BACKGROUND

• De Grauwe S, Swain A, Holcomb PJ, Ditman T, Kuperberg GR. Electrophysiological insights into the processing of nominal metaphors. Neuropsychologia. 2010 Jun;48(7):1965-84. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.03.017. Epub 2010 Mar 20.

  PMID: 20307557 BACKGROUND

• Iakimova G, Passerieux C, Laurent JP, Hardy-Bayle MC. ERPs of metaphoric, literal, and incongruous semantic processing in schizophrenia. Psychophysiology. 2005 Jul;42(4):380-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2005.00303.x.

  PMID: 16008767 BACKGROUND

• Adamczyk P, Jani M, Ligeza TS, Plonka O, Bladzinski P, Wyczesany M. On the Role of Bilateral Brain Hypofunction and Abnormal Lateralization of Cortical Information Flow as Neural Underpinnings of Conventional Metaphor Processing Impairment in Schizophrenia: An fMRI and EEG Study. Brain Topogr. 2021 Jul;34(4):537-554. doi: 10.1007/s10548-021-00849-x. Epub 2021 May 10.

  PMID: 33973137 BACKGROUND

• Bambini V, Tonini E, Ceccato I, Lecce S, Marocchini E, Cavallini E. How to improve social communication in aging: Pragmatic and cognitive interventions. Brain Lang. 2020 Dec;211:104864. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2020.104864. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

  PMID: 33137591 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Schizophrenia; Psychotic Disorders; Language

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Mental Disorders; Communication; Behavior

Study Officials

• Mart Bosia, MD, PhD

  Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof.ssa

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 15, 2024
• First Posted: April 19, 2024
• Study Start: July 12, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2025
• Study Completion: October 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-04

Locations

IT (1)