Cognitive therapy for psychosis in schizophrenia: an effect size analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis using all available controlled treatment outco me studies of cognitive therapy (CT) for psychotic symptoms in schizophreni a. Effect sizes were calculated for seven studies involving 340 subjects. T he mean effect size for reduction of psychotic symptoms was 0.65. The findi ngs suggest that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for patients w ith schizophrenia who have persistent psychotic symptoms. Follow-up analyse s in four studies indicated that patients recieving CT continued to make ga ins over time (ES = 0.93). Further research is needed to determine the repl icability of standardized cognitive interventions, to evaluate the clinical significance of cognitive therapy for schizophrenia, and to determine whic h patients are most likely to benefit from this intervention. (C) 2001 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.