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. 2015 Oct 21;2015(10):CD010646.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010646.pub3.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (brief versus standard duration) for schizophrenia

Farooq Naeem  1 , Saeed Farooq, David Kingdon
Affiliations

Cognitive behavioural therapy (brief versus standard duration) for schizophrenia

Farooq Naeem et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Cognitive behavioural therapy for people with schizophrenia is a psychotherapeutic approach that establishes links between thoughts, emotions and behaviours and challenges dysfunctional thoughts. There is some evidence to suggest that cognitive behavioural therapy for people with psychosis (CBTp) might be an effective treatment for people with schizophrenia. There are however, limitations in its provision due to available resource and training issues. One way to tackle this issue might be to offer a brief version of CBTp.

Objectives: To review the effects of brief CBTp (6 to 10 regular sessions given in less than 4 months and using a manual) for people with schizophrenia compared with standard CBTp (12 to 20 regular sessions given in 4 to 6 months and using a manual).

Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Trials Register (August 21, 2013 and August 26, 2015) which is based on regular searches of CINAHL, BIOSIS, AMED, EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and registries of Clinical Trials. There are no language, date, document type, or publication status limitations for inclusion of records in the register. We inspected all references of the selected articles for further relevant trials. We also contacted experts in the field regarding brief CBTp studies.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials involving adults with schizophrenia or related disorders, comparing brief cognitive behavioural therapy for people with psychosis versus standard CBTp.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently screened and assessed studies for inclusion using pre-specified inclusion criteria.

Main results: We found only seven studies which used a brief version of CBTp, but no study compared brief CBTp with CBTp of standard duration. No studies could be included.

Authors' conclusions: Currently there is no literature available to compare brief with standard CBTp for people with schizophrenia. We cannot, therefore, conclude whether brief CBTp is as effective, less effective or even more effective than standard courses of the same therapy. This lack of evidence for brief CBTp has serious implications for research and practice. Well planned, conducted and reported randomised trials are indicated.

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Conflict of interest statement

Farooq Naeem ‐ has published on CBT for psychosis and other disorders and has developed a model of adaptation of CBT in non‐Western cultures, adapting CBT for psychosis and depression.

Saeed Farooq ‐ has experience of conducting literature reviews on psychosis‐related topics. SF has published a Cochrane systematic review and also systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in peer‐reviewed scientific journals.

David Kingdon ‐ has pioneered the use of CBT for psychosis and has published widely on this issue.

Figures

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1
Study flow diagram. 2013 search
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Study flow diagram 2015 search
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

References

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