Published online Aug 19, 2023. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i8.583
Peer-review started: June 20, 2023
First decision: July 7, 2023
Revised: July 17, 2023
Accepted: July 19, 2023
Article in press: July 19, 2023
Published online: August 19, 2023
The efficacy of cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for cognitive dys-function and negative symptoms of schizophrenia is established, but more evidence is required.
To assess the effectiveness of CBGT combined with mental health education as a treatment for schizophrenia compared with mental health education alone.
In all, 120 schizophrenia out-patients were randomized into CBGT combined with mental health education or single mental health education. The primary outcomes were positive and negative symptoms, cognitive function, excitatory factor, anxiety and depression symptom improvements on the positive and negative syndrome scale score. Secondary outcome measures included social function and drug compliance.
There were significant differences between CBGT combined with mental health education and single mental health education on measures of positive and negative symptoms, cognitive functions, excitatory factor, anxiety and depression symptoms, and social functions. No other significant difference in outcomes was observed.
CBGT combined with mental health education may be relevant beneficial treatment method in reducing symptoms, cognitive and social functions of patients with schizophrenia.
Core Tip: Psychological therapies for schizophrenia still deserves to be explored due to its advantages of having comparatively fewer side effects. As one of the different psychological approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to be effective in the treatment of schizophrenia with sound evidence. This study provides new insights by adding cognitive behavioral group therapy to the conventional pharmaceutical therapy plus mental health education for the treatment of schizophrenia. It also provides some guidance on developing community rehabilitation models in patients with mental illness.