A randomized comparison of group cognitive-behavioural therapy and group psychoeducation in acute patients with schizophrenia: outcome at 24 months.
OBJECTIVE
We compared the effects of a brief group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and a group psychoeducational (PE) programme in acute patients with schizophrenia 2 years after treatment. At 6-month follow-up, the CBT group had shown significantly less re-hospitalization rates and on a descriptive level higher compliance with medication.


METHODS
Eighty-eight in-patients with acute schizophrenia were randomized to receive a therapy envelope of 8 weeks including either 16 sessions of CBT or eight sessions of PE.


RESULTS
From the initial sample, 43 patients (48.9%) completed the 24-month follow-up. There were no significant group differences regarding re-admission, symptoms or compliance with medication. However, on a descriptive level patients who received CBT on average experienced 21.8% less re-hospitalizations, 71 days less in hospital and higher compliance ratings at the 24-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant advantages of CBT at short-term follow-up were lost at long-term follow-up. However, on a descriptive level some advantages for CBT remained after 2 years.
Bechdolf
A
A
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. andreas.bechdolf@uk-koeln.de
Köhn
D
D
Knost
B
B
Pukrop
R
R
Klosterkötter
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*