Evaluating cognitive-behavioral treatment of schizophrenia: Four single-case studies

Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) has been used infrequently with persons with schizophrenia. This exploratory study delineates the use of CBT strategies, describes the process of treatment, and presents results from the single-subject A-B design (N = 4) that examined the efficacy of CBT of schizophrenia. Standardized measures of psychosocial functioning, severity of symptoms, attainment of treatment goals, and data regarding hospitalizations were used to assess change over the course of 18 months of treatment and follow-up. Analysis of data indicated that the clients experienced considerable reduction in symptomatology and rehospitalizations as well as improvement in psychosocial functioning and attainment of treatment goals. Treatment issues regarding the application of cognitive-behavioral methods with persons with schizophrenia and suggestions for future social work research and practice are discussed.