title: Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for schizophrenia: a review of recent empirical studies.
abstract: A set of cognitive behavioral psychotherapies (CBT) has been developed for schizophrenia. These interventions have been used for the treatment of both recent onset patients and those with treatment-refractory symptoms. This article reviews clinical trials of CBT for schizophrenia since 1990. The CBT interventions appear to be beneficial in reducing overall symptom levels, especially the severity of delusions. The relative efficacy of CBT is more evident when CBT is compared with routine care than when it is compared with other therapies matched for therapist attention. Further studies are needed to objectively determine the active ingredients of CBT and to better identify the interactions of CBT with concurrent psychosocial and medication treatments.
authors.affiliation: Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21204, USA. dickersonf@aol.com
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Dickerson
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome