(Randomised controlled trials of intensive cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with chronic schizophrenia)

Despite the development of drug treatments, schizophrenia remains a debilitating disorder. In this week's BMJ, Professor Nicholas Tarrier from the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester and colleagues, report on their study to ascertain the success of cognitive behaviour therapy (a method of treating mental disorders based on the concept that the way we perceive the world and ourselves influences our emotions and behaviour).

The authors found that, compared with supportive counselling and routine care, there was a greater reduction in psychotic symptoms in patients receiving cognitive behaviour therapy, although supportive counselling was also effective, but to a lesser extent. They conclude that further research needs to be done to ascertain whether the benefits can be maintained and psychological treatments can be used to treat acutely ill patients.

Contact:
Professor Nicholas Tarrier, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Manchester, Withington Hospital, Manchester