Influence of age on outcome of psychological treatments in first-episode psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Psychological treatments have been shown to be effective in patients with psychosis. However, the studies published to date have included participants across wide age ranges, so few conclusions can be reached about the effectiveness of such treatments in relation to age.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate outcomes by age in a randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), supportive counselling and treatment as usual.


METHODS
Outcomes were evaluated in terms of symptoms, social functioning, insight and therapeutic alliance according to age at 3- and 18-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Younger participants responded better to supportive counselling than to treatment as usual and CBTover 3 months. Older participants responded better to CBT than to supportive counselling over 18 months. Younger participants showed a greater increase in insight after CBT compared with treatment as usual and supportive counselling, and were more difficult to engage in therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Young people may have different needs with regard to engagement in psychological treatments. Treatment providers need to take age-specific factors into account.
Haddock
Gillian
G
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Rutherford Rutherford House, Manchester Science Park, Lloyd Street North, Manchester M15 6SZ, UK. gillian.haddock@manchester.ac.uk
Lewis
Shôn
S
Bentall
Richard
R
Dunn
Graham
G
Drake
Richard
R
Tarrier
Nicholas
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents