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Tele-Group Cognitive Behavioural Family Intervention for Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders and Their Caregivers: A
Dennis Chak Fai Ma1, Cheuk Kin Tang2, Cheyenne I Ying Chan1
1School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
This study found that a tele-group cognitive behavioural family intervention (tgCBFI) for schizophrenia was partially feasible and acceptable. The intervention showed potential for improving psychiatric symptoms, suggesting a larger trial is warranted.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health
- Psychiatry
- Digital Health
Background:
- Family-based interventions are crucial for schizophrenia relapse prevention but often lack accessibility.
- Telehealth delivery, specifically videoconferencing, offers a potential solution to bridge this gap.
- Addressing treatment disengagement in digital mental health interventions is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of an online group-based cognitive behavioural family intervention (tgCBFI).
- To evaluate the intervention for dyads of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and their caregivers.
- To explore preliminary efficacy in improving psychiatric symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A parallel-group, assessor-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Participants were randomized to either the tele-group cognitive behavioural family intervention (tgCBFI) or treatment-as-usual.
- Feasibility, acceptability, and safety were measured via recruitment, completion, retention rates, satisfaction, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- High attendance rates (85.7% for all sessions, 100% for ≥4 sessions) were observed in the intervention group.
- The study achieved a recruitment rate of 16.4% and a high retention rate of 95.8% for follow-up.
- No adverse events were reported, and qualitative data provided insights into program benefits and recommendations.
Conclusions:
- Tele-group cognitive behavioural family intervention (tgCBFI) is partially feasible and acceptable for individuals with schizophrenia and their caregivers.
- Exploratory findings suggest potential improvements in psychiatric symptoms, supporting further investigation.
- A fully powered randomized controlled trial is recommended to confirm these preliminary results.
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