Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Reducing Positive Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia: Reviews for Evidences-Based Practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: To synthesize models of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for reducing positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia from empirical evidences.
Methods: The evidence relevant to the area of study, was searched for electronic databases and printed studies. The search yielded 10 qualifying evidence which passed the criteria for evaluating research utilization and classification for strength of evidence. The evidence included in this study was 1 meta-analysis, 7 randomized controlled trials, and 2 quasi-experimental research designs. The evidence was analyzed and synthesized for recommendations regarding the application of CBT for reducing the positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Results: Three types of CBT were recommended. In type 1, individual CBT for patients with a first episode of schizophrenia aimed at adjusting automatic thoughts and distorted
beliefs that caused positive symptoms or distress so that the symptoms could be alleviated. In type 2, CBT was for patients with chronic schizophrenia and was aimed at improving patients’ coping strategies to handle their symptoms and solve their problems. In type 3, CBT was for patients with chronic schizophrenia and was aimed at improving patients’ coping strategies to handle hallucinatory symptom so that the symptoms could be alleviated.
Conclusion: Before utilizing the recommendations in practice settings, pilot studies should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of each type of CBT and select the appropriate one for the target population.