Review of psychotherapeutic interventions for people with schizophrenia

Abstract

In recent years, various clinical practice guidelines have been developed for people with schizophrenia recommending different psychotherapeutic interventions. The objective of this study is to identify, review and compare the recommendations in these guidelines on the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions in schizophrenia. We conducted a computerized search of the main clinical practice guideline developers and repositories, identifying five different clinical practice guidelines. We extracted descriptive information from each and compared their recommendations on the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions. They were evidence-based consensus guidelines developed by multidisciplinary groups. Family intervention, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), social skills training, arts therapies, cognitive rehabilitation, psychoeducation, psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling were recommended in the identified guidelines. There was strong consensus on the efficacy of CBT and family intervention and high-quality evidence supporting their use. When choosing psychotherapeutic interventions for people with schizophrenia, it is recommended that mental health professionals take clinical practice guidelines into account as well as the setting in which they are being applied, since implementation of health-care interventions is associated with the characteristics of the service system. Schizophrenia treatment should include biological, psychosocial and community interventions