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Early intervention for relapse in schizophrenia: results of a 12-month randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioural therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2003

A. GUMLEY
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Glasgow; Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care Trust; and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling
M. O'GRADY
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Glasgow; Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care Trust; and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling
L. MCNAY
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Glasgow; Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care Trust; and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling
J. REILLY
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Glasgow; Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care Trust; and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling
K. POWER
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Glasgow; Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care Trust; and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling
J. NORRIE
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Glasgow; Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care Trust; and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling

Abstract

Background. The paper describes a randomized controlled trial of targeting cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) during prodromal or early signs of relapse in schizophrenia. We hypothesized that CBT would result in reduced admission and relapse, reduced positive and negative symptoms, and improved social functioning.

Method. A total of 144 participants with schizophrenia or a related disorder were randomized to receive either treatment as usual (TAU) (N=72) or CBT+TAU (N=72). Participants were prospectively followed up between entry and 12 months.

Results. At 12 months, 11 (15·3%) participants in the CBT group were admitted to hospital compared to 19 (26·4%) of the TAU group (hazard ratio=0·53, P=0·10, 95% CI 0·25, 1·10). A total of 13 (18·1%) participants in CBT relapsed compared to 25 (34·7%) in TAU (hazard ratio=0·47, P<0·05, 95% CI 0·24, 0·92). In addition, the CBT group showed significantly greater improvement in positive symptoms, negative symptoms, global psychopathology, performance of independent functions and prosocial activities.

Conclusions. The study provides evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness for targeting CBT on the appearance of early signs of relapse in schizophrenia. The results are discussed in context of the study's methodological limitations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press

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