Review: social skills training, supported employment programmes, and cognitive behaviour therapy improve some outcomes in schizophrenia
QUESTION: In patients with schizophrenia, does psychosocial treatment improve symptoms?
Data sources
English language studies were identified by searching Medline and PsycInfo from 1966 to March 2000, scanning the references of identified articles, and contacting experts in the field.
Study selection
Studies were selected if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that used standardised rating instruments to assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in schizophrenia. Pertinent less rigorously conducted studies were also included. The emphasis was on identifying studies that were published since the previous review in 1996.
Data extraction
Data were extracted on type of psychosocial intervention, study design, patient characteristics, duration of follow up, relapse rates, and primary and secondary outcomes.
Main results
18 studies published since the previous review were identified. 2 evaluated family therapy, 2 case management, 5 social skills training, 3 supported employment programmes, 5 cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), and 1 compared individual with family therapy. Studies published before 1996 showed the superiority of family …
