A randomized comparison of group cognitive-behavioural therapy and group psychoeducation in patients with schizophrenia

Objective: Although the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in schizophrenia has been established in a number of studies, no information is available on the differential efficacy of CBT in comparison with patient psychoeduction (PE). Method: Eighty-eight in-patients with schizophrenia were randomized to receive a therapy envelope of 8 weeks including either 16 sessions group CBT or 18 sessions group PE treatment. Assessments took place at baseline, post-treatment and 6 month follow-up. Results: Patients, who received CBT were significantly less rehospitalized than patients in the PE group during the follow-up period. On a descriptive level, CBT resulted in lower relapse rates and higher compliance ratings at post-treatment and at follow-up than PE. Both forms of therapy led to significant psychopathological improvement at post-treatment and at follow-up. Conclusion: The brief group CBT intervention showed some superiority to the PE programme, which could be of considerable clinical and economical importance.