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Recovery-oriented cognitive therapy has long-term benefits for schizophrenia

Recovery-oriented cognitive therapy improved functioning in schizophrenia, notably among individuals with higher chronic illness.

To assess the impact of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy on illness duration and treatment outcomes in schizophrenia, researchers conducted a randomized trial among 60 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and increased negative symptoms who were receiving outpatient treatment. Study participants were randomly assigned to receive recovery-oriented cognitive therapy or standard treatment. The cohort had a mean age of 38.4 years. Assessments occurred at baseline, midtreatment at 6 and 12 months, end of treatment at 18 months, and follow-up at 24 months (n = 46).

At follow-up, participants who received recovery-oriented cognitive therapy had higher global functioning scores and lower scores for negative and positive symptoms, compared with those who received standard treatment.

Length of illness moderated treatment effects on global functioning. Participants with less chronic illness exhibited improvements earlier, at trend level by 6 months and reached significance by treatment end, while participants with more chronic illness did not exhibited significant improvements until follow-up.

“Recovery-oriented cognitive therapy produced durable effects that were present even among individuals with the most chronic illness,” the researchers concluded. – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: Please see the study for a full list of relevant financial disclosures.