A preliminary controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy in clozapine-resistant schizophrenia

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2009 Nov;197(11):865-8. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181be7422.

Abstract

The use of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) in addition to antipsychotic regimen to treat persistent psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia is growing. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of CBT to a befriending (BF) control group in patients with schizophrenia who are refractory to clozapine. Twenty-one patients completed the 21-week trial. In comparison with the control group, the CBT group showed a significant improvement in the General Psychopathology and total score of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, as well as an improvement of Quality of Life scale. The improvement in psychopathology persisted at 6-month follow-up assessment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Clozapine