Examining the CONVOKE Clinical Trial

The CONVOKE clinical trial represents a significant advancement in developing targeted treatments for patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This 16-week trial enrolled patients with pure negative symptoms, excluding those with prominent positive symptoms, severe cognitive impairment, suicidality, or substance abuse. Uniquely, patients with schizophrenia participated in designing the digital therapeutic application, ensuring the tool authentically addressed their lived experiences and symptom presentations rather than relying solely on clinical literature and technological expertise.

The trial design prioritized patient accessibility and engagement through a thoughtful 3-phase approach. Patients first completed a 3-week orientation period to assess their digital literacy and provide necessary support, recognizing that illness may impact technological familiarity despite patients growing up with digital technology. Following orientation, patients engaged in a 4-week active phase with daily 10-minute sessions focused on social cues and cognitive stimulation, with clinical visits every 2 weeks for assessment.

Patients continued using the digital therapeutic for an additional 7 weeks, with personalized modifications based on their individual digital literacy and progress. The application emphasized social skills training and connection, addressing core deficits in negative symptoms where patients struggle to interpret social cues from others. This comprehensive approach provided gentle medication reminders while focusing primarily on social and cognitive rehabilitation, offering patients a structured yet flexible tool for symptom management over the 16-week period.