Intervention targeting motivational deficits in schizophrenia: preliminary results of a case study using ecological momentary assessment.

Negative symptoms, particularly motivational deficits, strongly affect the daily functioning and quality of life of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. A new intervention, called Switch, was developed based on a theoretical model of motivation in schizophrenia. Switch encourages goal directed behaviors by enhancing motivation, pleasure, coping with dysfunctional beliefs, problem resolution, planning, and action initiation. The aim of this case study is to evaluate the effect of Switch on the motivation factor of negative symptoms and explore how different underlying processes of motivation evolve and interact. Switch is currently being provided via individual sessions (2 months, around 14 sessions). The evaluation includes traditional pre and post assessment of negative symptoms, functional outcomes and quality of life, as well as ecological momentary assessment techniques (daily questionnaires via smartphone and step count). Data will be collected in the coming months. Results will be presented and discussed.