Update on Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy for Schizophrenia: Review of Recent Studies

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) for schizophrenia has been the focus of clinical trials. This article reviews 17 recent studies including 5 from the United States or Canada. CBT interventions vary by the patient group to whom they are provided. Both individual and group CBT therapies have been developed, some of which have been combined with other psychosocial treatments. There is inconsistency among the study results, but evidence is strongest for the benefit to outpatients who have residual symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, or negative symptoms. Methodological issues include the type of comparison group used, the adequacy of the sample size, and patient attrition. Future investigations of CBT would be improved by a greater standardization of study procedures and by stratifying patients according to clinical characteristics to better understand which patients are more likely to benefit.