Randomised controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy in early schizophrenia: Acute-phase outcomes

Background: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) improves persistent psychotic symptoms. Aims: To test the effectiveness of added CBT in accelerating remission from acute psychotic symptoms in early schizophrenia. Method: A 5-week CBT programme plus routine care was compared with supportive counselling plus routine care and routine care alone in a multi-centre trial randomising 315 people with DSM-IV schizophrenia and related disorders in their first (83%) or second acute admission. Outcome assessments were blinded. Results: Linear regression over 70 days showed predicted trends towards faster improvement in the CBT group. Uncorrected univariate comparisons showed significant benefits at 4 but not 6 weeks for CBT v. routine care alone on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total and positive sub-scale scores and delusion score and benefits v. supportive counselling for auditory hallucinations score. Conclusions: CBT shows transient advantages over routine care alone or supportive counselling in speeding remission from acute symptoms in early schizophrenia.