Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Schizophrenia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, negative symptoms and disorganized behaviour. Antipsychotic medication is the main treatment for schizophrenia, but many people do not respond to treatment, and most who do respond continue to have significant symptoms. Thus, there is a need for additional treatment strategies.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) was developed to reduce distress associated with psychotic symptoms and improve functioning. The Feeling Safe Program is a CBTp treatment that was developed by a team at University of Oxford to address paranoia and the belief that one is at risk of being harmed by others (persecutory delusions). In a recent study, 50% of participants recovered from their persecutory delusions after individual Feeling Safe Program treatment and these gains were maintained at 12 months.
Currently, there are no published findings on the effectiveness of this Programme delivered in a group format. Group formats can offer benefits such as ease of service delivery, cost-effectiveness and decreasing isolation. The proposed study will explore the efficacy of the Feeling Safe Programme in a group format compared to treatment as usual.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Deanna Mercer, M.D.
Principal Investigator
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Lisa Murata, BScN, MEd
Principal Investigator
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with schizophrenia or related disorders who can consent to participate, read and write English, discuss their symptoms openly, and are interested in coping strategies. They must be able to attend weekly 75-minute group sessions in person.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive up to 24 weeks of Feeling Safe CBT for Psychosis therapy in a group format
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (the Feeling Safe Programme)
Trial Overview
The trial is testing the Feeling Safe Programme, a group cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at reducing distress from psychosis and improving functioning. It compares the effectiveness of this group therapy against usual treatment methods.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Feeling Safe CBT: Participants will receive up to 24 weeks of Feeling Safe CBT for Psychosis therapy. Group modules will include: Sleep (7 sessions), Worry (6 sessions), Self-Confidence (5 sessions) and Feeling Safe Enough (6 sessions). Participants who experience auditory hallucinations will have the option to do the module: Feeling Safe Alongside Hearing Voices (5 sessions) individually.
Treatment-as-Usual (TAU): Participants in the TAU arm will continue with their current treatment as decided by their treatment team. TAU is defined as interdisciplinary treatment provided by disciplines such as psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and dietary. Participants who are randomly assigned to the TAU arm will be offered the CBT intervention after completion of the wait list arm (24-week wait period).
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Lead Sponsor
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