Cognitive therapy and recovery from acute psychosis: a controlled trial 3.Five-year follow-up

Background This paper describes the 5-year outcome of a cohort of patients who had received a cognitive therapy intervention during an acute episode o f non-affective psychosis. Method Thirty-four out of the original 40 patients who had taken part in a randomised controlled trial of a cognitive intervention were assessed, usin g standardised instruments completed at entry into the study. In the origin al trial, half the patients received a cognitive therapy programme (CT grou p) and the other half received recreational activities and support (ATYgrou p). Results At follow-up no significant differences in relapse rate, positive s ymptoms or insight between the groups were found, although the CT group did show significantly greater perceived 'Control over illness' than the ATYgr oup. For individuals who had experienced a maximum of one relapse in the fo llow-up period, self-reported residual delusional beliefs and observer-rate d hallucinations and delusions were significantly less in the CT than in th e ATYgroup. Conclusion Cognitive therapy applied in the acute phase of a psychotic diso rder can produce enduring and significant clinical benefits if experience o f relapse can be minimised.