Cognitive behaviour therapy with coping training for persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: a naturalistic follow-up study of the durability of effects.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the durability of positive effects of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with coping training on psychotic symptoms and social functioning.


METHODS
Forty patients with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders and refractory auditory hallucinations were given CBT and coping training in an integrated single family treatment programme. In a naturalistic study patients were followed after 2 and 4 years since the start of treatment.


RESULTS
The treatment improved overall burden of 'hearing voices', with a generalization into daily functioning. Improvement with regard to fear, loss of control, disturbance of thought and interference with thinking was sustained by 60% of the patients while one-third improved further. Complete disappearance of hallucinations occurred in 18% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
CBT with coping training can improve both overall symptomatology and quality of life, even over longer periods of time, but a status of persistent disablement indicates a continuing need for mental health care.
Wiersma
D
D
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Jenner
J A
JA
van de Willige
G
G
Spakman
M
M
Nienhuis
F J
FJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D013663:Teaching; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome