Effectiveness of a brief cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention in the treatment of schizophrenia
Declaration of interest: Funding was provided by Pfizer Ltd. Background: Little evidence exists to indicate whether community psychiatric nurses can achieve the results reported by expert cognitive-behavioural therapists in patients with schizophrenia. Aims: To assess the effectiveness and safety of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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2002-06.
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| Online Access: | Get fulltext |
| Summary: | Declaration of interest: Funding was provided by Pfizer Ltd. Background: Little evidence exists to indicate whether community psychiatric nurses can achieve the results reported by expert cognitive-behavioural therapists in patients with schizophrenia. Aims: 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. Method: 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 controlgroup (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. |
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