[Cognitive-behavioural therapy in early psychosis: an open study in a clinical setting]

Meta-analysis results confirm that cognitive-behavioural therapy in psychosis (CBTp) is efficient for persistent symptoms. However, external validity remains unexplored. CBTp in early psychosis (in the first 5 years after diagnosis) seems especially relevant, given a possible impact on long-term course. However, the few studies that experimented with CBTp with this population had poor results. They all introduced therapy during an acute psychotic phase and most of them performed a limited number of sessions. Therefore, our introductory open study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a 25-session Australian CBTp program, introduced during a stable phase in Quebec patients with early psychosis.

The Active Cognitive Psychotherapy for Early Psychosis program was offered to 20 patients aged 14 years or older, at a rate of 1 weekly session during 6 months.

The acceptance rate was 75%, the mean session compliance rate was 84%, and participants were satisfied with the program. Pre- and post-CBTp analyses indicated statistically significant improvements of psychotic symptomatology, which were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Self-criticism improvement was also statistically significant, post-CBTp.

CBTp seems to be appropriate in our clinical settings, including with adolescents. Moreover, the treatment dosage used seems to foster session compliance.