Distraction techniques for schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Distraction techniques are a form of coping strategies used in cognitive behavioural techniques. They may be of value as an adjunctive treatment for people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses.


OBJECTIVE
To review the effects of distraction techniques for people with schizophrenia.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (October 2003), manually searched reference lists and contacted relevant authors.


METHODS
We included all randomised controlled trials comparing distraction techniques with other treatments for schizophrenia.


METHODS
We reliably selected, quality assessed and data extracted studies. We excluded data where more than 50% of participants in any group were lost to follow up. For binary outcomes, we calculated a fixed effects risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), along with the number needed to treat/harm (NNT/H). For continuous data we calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD).


RESULTS
In terms of mental state, distraction techniques did not have a clear effect (n=60, 1 RCT, MD endpoint BPRS 1.60 CI -0.49 to 3.69). Distraction does not obviously engage people in the studies (n=159, 5 RCTs, RR leaving the study before completion 1.08 CI 0.72 to 1.63).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians, researchers, policy makers and recipients of care cannot be confident of the effects of distraction techniques from the findings of this review. The few pioneering studies are small, short and poorly reported. Further data from already completed trials might help inform practice, but more trials do seem to be justified as some of these potentially simple techniques, even if their effect is negligible, could be widely implemented and prove more acceptable than other more intrusive treatments.
Crawford-Walker
C J
CJ
Hull and East Riding Community Trust, Buckrose Ward, Bridlington and District Hospital, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, UK. Charlotte.Crawford-Walker@herch-tr.nhs.uk
King
A
A
Chan
S
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*