Abstract
Background:
Cognitive-behavioural therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing psychotic symptoms, but few patients have access to these services. Group cognitive treatment may provide a less costly service with similar benefits.
Aims:
To explore the effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioural therapy on insight and symptoms, particularly auditory hallucinations.
Method:
Twenty-one DSM-IV diagnosed patients with schizophrenia with treatment-resistant, distressing auditory hallucinations were referred to a group programme consisting of six sessions of cognitive treatment following a strict protocol which emphasised individual power and control as well as coping strategies.
Results:
There were significant changes in all three main outcome measures following treatment; those changes were maintained at follow-up and were greater than changes over the waiting-list period. Specifically, there were changes in perceived power and distress as well as increases in the number and effectiveness of the coping strategies.
Conclusions:
Group treatment for auditory hallucinations needs further investigation but does look promising and may provide a less costly alternative to individual cognitive treatment.
Declaration of interest None.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 180-185 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | British Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 175 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 1999 |