Question: In adults with schizophrenia in secure settings, how effective is cognitive behavioural therapy, compared to treatment as usual/any other intervention, in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer:

Evidence from one small randomised controlled trial (RCT) indicates that CBT may offer some potential to improve symptoms and reduce aggressive behaviour in patients with schizophrenia. However, results were inconsistent and findings may have limited generalisability, as the trial was conducted in patients with severe symptoms and a history of violence, the majority of whom were resident in a secure unit.

Further large, high quality RCTs are needed to confirm the findings of this trial and to investigate the effectiveness of CBT in patients with less severe disease and at different stages (acute vs. chronic).