A set of cognitive behavioral psychotherapies (CBT) has been developed for
schizophrenia. These interventions have been used for the treatment of both
recent onset patients and those with treatment-refractory symptoms. This a
rticle reviews clinical trials of CBT for schizophrenia since 1990. The CBT
interventions appear to be beneficial in reducing overall symptom levels,
especially the severity of delusions. The relative efficacy of CBT is more
evident when CBT is compared with routine care than when it is compared wit
h other therapies matched for therapist attention. Further studies are need
ed to objectively determine the active ingredients of CBT and to better ide
ntify the interactions of CBT with concurrent psychosocial and medication t
reatments. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.