This is a study comparing the benefits of two types of individual psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis and supportive therapy) in symptomatic Veteran outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Treatment lasted approximately 6 months, with outcome data on symptoms, functioning, and distress levels collected at baseline, post-treatment, and 6 months post -treatment follow-up.
This is a randomized controlled trial comparing 6 months of participation in one of two active treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis or supportive therapy in symptomatic Veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are still symptomatic. Assessments of clinical status and social functioning were obtained at baseline, end of treatment, and 6 month follow-up. We hypothesized that participation in the cognitive-behavioral therapy would lead to greater reductions in symptoms and distress about symptoms, and more improvements in social functioning.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
122
approximately 20 sessions of manualized psychotherapy to promote a strong alliance between the therapist and the participant in order to provide a safe place to discuss issues pertaining to recovery
approximately 20 sessions of individual manualized psychotherapy in which participants are taught to evaluate the data supporting beliefs that may interfere with recovery
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA
West Los Angeles, California, United States
Changes in Positive Schizophrenia Symptoms
Mean positive symptoms Interview rating on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (Ventura, Lukoff. Nuechterlein. Liberman, Green, \& Shaner, 1993), with range of 1-7 and higher scores indicating greater symptoms Ventura, J. Lukoff D, Nuechterlein KH, Liberman RP, Green M, Shaner A: Appendix 1: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) Expanded Version (4.0) scales, anchor points and administration manual. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 1993; 3:227-243
Time frame: Pre-treatment to end of treatment, approximately 6 months post-randomization
Changes in Positive Schizophrenia Symptoms
Mean positive symptoms Interview rating on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (Ventura, Lukoff. Nuechterlein. Liberman, Green, \& Shaner, 1993), with range of 1-7 and higher scores indicating greater symptoms Ventura, J. Lukoff D, Nuechterlein KH, Liberman RP, Green M, Shaner A: Appendix 1: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) Expanded Version (4.0) scales, anchor points and administration manual. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 1993; 3:227-243
Time frame: Pre-treatment to follow-up, approximately 6 months post end-of-treatment
Changes in Global Social Functioning
Interview rating of overall adaptive functioning rated on a 1-7 scale on the Social Adjust Scale II (Schooler, Hogarty, Weissman:, 1979) with low scores indicating better functioning Schooler N, Hogarty G,\& Weissman M, (1979). Social Adjustment Scale (SAS) II, in Resource Materials for Community Mental Health Program Evaluators. Edited by Hargreaves W, Attkisson C, Sorenson J. Rockville MD, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979, pp 290-303)
Time frame: Pre-treatment to end of treatment, approximately 6 months post-randomization
Changes in Global Social Functioning
Interview rating of overall adaptive functioning rated on a 1-7 scale on the Social Adjust Scale II (Schooler N, Hogarty G, Weissman M:, 1979) with low scores indicating better functioning Schooler N, Hogarty G,\& Weissman M, (1979). Social Adjustment Scale (SAS) II, in Resource Materials for Community Mental Health Program Evaluators. Edited by Hargreaves W, Attkisson C, Sorenson J. Rockville MD, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979, pp 290-303)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Pre-treatment to follow-up, approximately 6 months post end-of-treatment
Changes in Distress From Schizophrenia Symptoms
Interview rating of overall preoccupation and distress from hallucinations and delusions rated on the psychotic symptom rating scales (PSYRATS; Haddock, McCarron, Tarrier, \& Faragher,; 1999) total score, with a range of 0-85 and low scores indicating less preoccupation and distress Haddock, G., McCarron, J., Tarrier, N., \& Faragher, E. B. (1999). Scales to measure dimensions of hallucinations and delusions: the psychotic symptom rating scales (PSYRATS). Psychological medicine, 29(04), 879-889.
Time frame: Pre-treatment to end-of-treatment, approximately 6 months post-randomization
Changes in Distress From Schizophrenia Symptoms
Interview rating of overall preoccupation and distress from hallucinations and delusions rated on the psychotic symptom rating scales (PSYRATS; Haddock, McCarron, Tarrier, \& Faragher,; 1999) total score, with a range of 0-85 and low scores indicating less preoccupation and distress Haddock, G., McCarron, J., Tarrier, N., \& Faragher, E. B. (1999). Scales to measure dimensions of hallucinations and delusions: the psychotic symptom rating scales (PSYRATS). Psychological medicine, 29(04), 879-889.
Time frame: Pre-treatment to follow-up, approximately 6 months post end-of-treatment