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A Trial of Two Cognitive-Behavioural Methods of Treating Drug-Resistant Residual Psychotic Symptoms in Schizophrenic Patients: I. Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Nicholas Tarrier ,
Richard Beckett ,
Sue Harwood ,
Amanda Baker ,
Lawrence Yusupoff  and
Itziar Ugarteburu
Nicholas Tarrier*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University Hospital of South Manchester, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 8LR
Richard Beckett
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Fairmile Hospital, Wallingford, 0X10 9HH
Sue Harwood
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Prestwich Hospital, Manchester M25 7BL
Amanda Baker
Affiliation:
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2033, Australia
Lawrence Yusupoff
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Hope Hospital, Manchester
Itziar Ugarteburu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Prestwich Hospital, Manchester M25 7BL
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Despite neuroleptic medication, many schizophrenic patients continue to experience residual positive psychotic symptoms. These residual symptoms cause distress and disability. We report a controlled trial of two cognitive-behavioural treatments to alleviate residual hallucinations and delusions. Forty-nine patients were recruited into the trial, of whom 27 entered the trial and completed post-treatment assessment, and 23 were reassessed at six-month follow-up. Patients were randomly allocated to either coping strategy enhancement (CSE) or problem solving (PS). Half the patients were allocated to a high-expectancy positive demand condition and half to a counterdemand condition to evaluate expectation of improvement. Patients receiving either cognitive-behavioural treatment showed significant reductions in pyschotic symptoms compared with those in the waiting period, who showed no improvement. There was some evidence, although equivocal, that patients receiving CSE improved more than those receiving PS. There was no evidence that improvements generalised to negative symptoms or social functioning, nor was there evidence that expectancy of treatment benefit contributed to the treatment effect.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 162 , Issue 4 , April 1993 , pp. 524 - 532
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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