Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Residual Symptoms and Impairment in Schizophrenia

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions in the treatment of persons with schizophrenia who experienced significant residual symptoms and impaired functioning despite their adherence to medication. The study used an aggregated AB single-system research design across 22 participants to evaluate change in clinical outcomes. Standardized measures of psychosocial functioning, severity of symptoms, attainment of treatment goals, and severity of the impact of illness on self-concept were used to assess change during the course of 18 months of treatment. Of the clients, 86% made statistically significant improvement in psychosocial functioning; 82% of the clients made statistically significant reduction in severity of psychiatric symptoms. All 22 clients exceeded the expected level of attainment of treatment goals. There was a statistically significant reduction in the negative impact of illness on sense of self. Findings support the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions in schizophrenia.

Correlates of subjective recovery in an early intervention program for psychoses

“…High scores indicate greater levels of engulfment by mental illness. The scale has demonstrated good reliability and validity 29,32,33 . The RAS is derived from narrative analysis of stories of recovery from individuals with serious mental illness 34 .…”

“…The scale has demonstrated good reliability and validity. 29,32,33 The RAS is derived from narrative analysis of stories of recovery from individuals with serious mental illness. 34 The RAS shows good psychometric properties and has been used in several recent studies on recovery for patients with serious mental illness.…”

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Schizophrenia: Applications to Social Work Practice

“…Given the current effect sizes of the CBT cohorts, there is considerable empirical support for the use of CBT in the treatment of schizophrenia. The meta-analyses are complemented by non-experimental (Bradshaw, 1997) and experimental studies (Bradshaw, 1996(Bradshaw, , 2003Bradshaw & Roseborough, 2004), which demonstrates or implies the ability of CBT for schizophrenia to be successfully applied by social workers. Because the empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of CBT for schizophrenia, social workers will be operating within the ethics of the social work profession (see NASW, 1999) and adhering to the mandates of the educational policy and accreditation standards (see CSWE, 2008), when they competently use the treatment to improve the welfare of clients.…”

“…Despite its availability in the United Kingdom, there has been a lack of attention on CBT for schizophrenia in the United States (Turkington et al, 2006). Although studies (Bradshaw, 1997(Bradshaw, , 2003Bradshaw & Roseborough, 2004) have provided insight regarding CBT for social work practice with persons who have schizophrenia, the applicability of CBT for schizophrenia in social work practice can be improved via reviewing the theory, practice, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and effect sizes of CBT for schizophrenia. According to Soydan (2008), ".…”

Social Workers as Research Psychotherapists in an Investigation of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy among Rural Older Adults

“…Bradshaw and Roseborough (2004) examined the effectiveness of CBT in treating residual symptoms and impairments in 22 participants with schizophrenia. Four Master’s level social workers with an average of five years of experience obtained 48 hours of CBT training.…”