Effectiveness of a brief cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention in the treatment of schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Little evidence exists to indicate whether community psychiatric nurses can achieve the results reported by expert cognitive-behavioural therapists in patients with schizophrenia.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and safety of a brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention in a representative community sample of patients with schizophrenia in secondary care settings.


METHODS
A pragmatic randomised trial was performed involving 422 patients and carers to compare a brief CBT intervention against treatment as usual.


RESULTS
Patients who received CBT (n=257) improved in overall symptomatology (P=0.015; number needed to treat [NNT]=13), insight (P<0.001; NNT=10) and depression (P=0.003; NNT=9) compared with the control group (n=165). Insight was clinically significantly improved (risk ratio=1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.31). There was no increase in suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
Community psychiatric nurses can safely and effectively deliver a brief CBT intervention to patients with schizophrenia and their carers.
Turkington
Douglas
D
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. douglas.turkington@ncl.ac.uk
Kingdon
David
D
Turner
Trevor
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome