Evaluating CBTp for Paranoid Schizophrenia: Efficacy and Maintenance of Therapeutic Gains

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and cognitive impairments. While antipsychotic medications remain the primary treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising adjunctive intervention in schizophrenia.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) and the maintenance of therapeutic gains in patients with paranoid schizophrenia.

Methods: Forty patients with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia were selected for the present study and allocated in two groups: CBTp+TAU (Intervention) and TAU group (Control). Both group were assessed at three different phases i.e., baseline, post intervention and at follow up for different dimension of delusional belief, emotion regulation, anxiety, aggression, perceived stress, self-esteem, and perceived social support. Intervention group were provided with 25-30 session of CBTp.

 Results: Result suggested significant improvement on various clinical and psychological parameters in CBTp+TAU group.

Conclusion: CBTp has been found to be moderately effective in many research studies. The finding of the present study also shows that CBTp is not only effective in improving psychotic symptoms but also affects other psychological construct through generalization mechanism. The gain through intervention were also maintained till follow up.