Functional Adaptation Skills Training (FAST)
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Functional Adaptation Skills Training (FAST) is an intervention for adult patients 40 years and older living in board-and-care facilities who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The intervention is manualized and based on social cognitive theory and independent living skills programs. FAST targets six areas of everyday functioning: medication management, social skills, communication skills, organization and planning, transportation, and financial management. Participants in FAST meet once per week, in a group format, over the course of 24 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 2 hours and is led by a master's- or doctoral-level therapist or by a nursing paraprofessional in the board-and-care facility.
Goal / Mission
The goal of FAST is to improve patients' independence and quality of life.
Impact
Studies have shown that FAST-treated patients' performance on everyday living skills improved significantly compared to non-participants. They also demonstrated significant improvement in social and communication skills at 6-month follow-up.
Results / Accomplishments
FAST was delivered at approximately 30 board-and-care homes in San Diego County, California. Each intervention lasted 18 months. A total of 240 individuals participated. Outcomes included the following:
In one study, FAST-treated patients' performance on everyday living skills improved significantly immediately postintervention compared to patients randomized to the treatment-as-usual condition (received their usual medications). Everyday functioning also remained significantly better at a 3-month maintenance follow-up period, p < 0.0016.
In another study, FAST-treated patients improved significantly in everyday living skills at 6-month follow-up compared to patients randomized to an attention control condition, p = 0.046.
Patients randomized to FAST intervention compared to the participants in the attention control condition demonstrated significant improvement in social and communication skills at 6-month follow-up, p = 0.003.
In one study, FAST-treated patients' performance on everyday living skills improved significantly immediately postintervention compared to patients randomized to the treatment-as-usual condition (received their usual medications). Everyday functioning also remained significantly better at a 3-month maintenance follow-up period, p < 0.0016.
In another study, FAST-treated patients improved significantly in everyday living skills at 6-month follow-up compared to patients randomized to an attention control condition, p = 0.046.
Patients randomized to FAST intervention compared to the participants in the attention control condition demonstrated significant improvement in social and communication skills at 6-month follow-up, p = 0.003.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
University of California, San Diego
Primary Contact
Thomas Patterson
University of California, San Diego
Psychiatry
9500 Gilman Drive #0680
La Jolla, CA 92093
858-534-3354
tpatterson@ucsd.edu
http://profiles.ucsd.edu/thomas.patterson
University of California, San Diego
Psychiatry
9500 Gilman Drive #0680
La Jolla, CA 92093
858-534-3354
tpatterson@ucsd.edu
http://profiles.ucsd.edu/thomas.patterson
Topics
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Organization(s)
University of California, San Diego
Source
SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-Based Practices and Programs (NREPP)
Date of publication
Mar 2007
Location
San Diego, CA
For more details
Target Audience
Adults