Integrating cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for persons with schizophrenia into a psychiatric rehabilitation program: Results of a three year trial

Emerging models of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) offer promising new intervention strategies in the psychotherapy of schizophrenia. These model s, however,have not been integrated into community support programs and eva luated in comparison to standard community treatments. This study examined differences in outcomes of clients who received long-term day treatment pro gram services (DTP) compared to clients who received individual CBT that wa s included as part of their DTP treatment. Twenty-four clients were randoml y assigned to DTP treatment or CBT/ DTP treatment. Data on standardized mea sures of psychosocial functioning, symptom atology and rehospitalizations w ere collected over the course of three years of treatment. Analysis of vari ance with repeated measures was conducted to evaluate the effects of type o f treatment (CBT/DTP and DTP) and time (dependent variable scores taken at the end of treatment years one, two and three) on the three outcome variabl es. Results indicate significant improvement for the CBT/DTP group compared to the DTP group in the patterns of change over time for psychosocial func tioning and symptomology. In addition to this significant group/time intera ction the time factor was also significant for both variables. For rehospit alizations the time factor was significant and the group/ time factor was n onsignificant. Implications for service delivery to persons with schizophre nia and suggestions for future research are discussed.