Cognitive Therapy and Recovery from Acute Psychosis : a Controlled Trial
Background. The appiioa@onof cogni@vetherapy (Cl) to psychosis is currently being de veloped in the UK.This paper reportsa trialof CTin acute psychosis with the objective of hasteningthe resolutionof positivesymptomsandreducingresidualsymptoms. Method. 0f117 patients wkh acute non-affective psychosis, 69 satisfied inclusion critena and 40 proceeded to stratified randomisation. The experimental intervention involvingk@dividual and group CTwas compared with a group receiving matched hours Oftherapist input providing structured activities and informalsupport routine pharmacotherapy was provided by clinicians blindto group allocation.Patientswere monitoredweeldy using self-reportand mentalstate assessments during admission and over the subsequent nine months. Results. Both groups showed a decline in positive symptoms but this was more marked uithe CTgroup (P<O.0O1).At 9 months 5%of the CTgroup,v.56%of the controlgroup,showed moderateorsevere residualsymptoms. Conclusion. CTappears to be a potent adjunctto pharmacotherapyand standardcare for acute psychosis. Issues concerning internaland external validityof the studyand opportunities for further research are discussed.