Eighteen studies and one systematic review (total number of participants not stated). Two studies were initially included, but then excluded by the review panel.
1. Individual cognitive behavioural therapy versus standard care (n=1 review of 4 RCTs).
This intervention has been reported in more detail in a Cochrane review (see Other Publications of Related Interest no.1). For relapse rates the Peto Odds Ratios (OR) for short term therapy was 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.98); for medium term therapy 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2, 0.8) and for long term therapy 0.5 (95% CI: 0.3, 0.8). For global functioning the Weighted Mean Difference (WMD)for short term therapy was 0.05 (95% CI: 2.9, 0.04); for medium term therapy -1.7 (95% CI: -5.4, 2.0) and for long term therapy -4.7 (95% CI: -9.2, -0.2). 2. Individual therapy plus family therapy versus individual therapy alone (n=1 study).
There were no statistically significant differences between the two interventions for any of the outcomes.
2. Individual therapy versus group therapy (n=1 study).
Group psychotherapy was significantly more effective than individual psychotherapy at improving subject outcome ratings at both 12 and 24 month follow-up (OR 9.2 at 24 months (95% CI: 3.0, 27.7), p<0.01). Neither treatment was found to be more effective at preventing subject relapse, re-hospitalisation or likelihood of discharge.
3. Personal therapy versus supportive therapy (n=2 studies).
Relapse rates were found to be significantly higher in personal therapy than in supportive therapy (OR 4.38 (95% CI: 1.34,14.31), p<0.05).
4. Group psychotherapy versus control (n=1 study).
Only the 'Overall Severity of Illness' scale showed significant difference in mean subject scores between the treatment regimes. Significantly more subjects in the group intervention scored worse on this score than in the control (OR 7.62 (95% CI: 1.21, 47.95), p<0.05).
5. Interactive behavioural training (IBT) versus waiting list (n=1 study).
There was no significant differences between the two groups for the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI), Quality of Life Scale (QLS), or Behavioural Assessment Tasks (BAT) scales. Only the GAF measure showed any improvement in post treatment scores for the IBT group (p<0.05).
6. Group psychotherapy versus modular skills training (n=1 study, 41 participants).
There was a significant improvement in BPRS (p<0.001) and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) (p<0.03) scores at 6 month follow up.
7. Coping skills training (CTS) versus problem solving group training (PSGT) (n=1 study, 14 participants).
Mean Goal Attainment Scale (GAtS)scores for the CST group were significantly higher than PSGT scores at both post-treatment (p=0.04) and follow-up (p=0.007). 9. Rotating leaders in group therapy (n=1 study, number of participants not stated).
No significant improvement in symptom scores were reported for any of the group formats.
8. Group therapy for specific behavioural problems (n=3 studies).
Group psycho-education was found to be ineffective for any of the outcomes of interest.
9. One study reported that formation of an activities group was found to significantly improve the verbal interaction (p<0.01).
10. Another study reported that group psychotherapy had no lasting effect in the treatment of polydipsia in subjects with schizophrenia.