Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Veterans With Schizophrenia

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: 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.

Detailed Description: 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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in proximity to the West Los Angeles VAMC
at least one month since last hospitalization
stable antipsychotic medication with persisting psychotic symptoms with at least minimal distress
competent to sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in Positive Schizophrenia Symptoms	Pre-treatment to follow-up, approximately 6 months post end-of-treatment	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
Changes in Global Social Functioning	Pre-treatment to follow-up, approximately 6 months post end-of-treatment	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)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in Distress From Schizophrenia Symptoms	Pre-treatment to follow-up, approximately 6 months post end-of-treatment	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.

Locations (1): VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA
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West Los Angeles, California, United States
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA
🇺🇸West Los Angeles, California, United States