A Study showing the Effectiveness of Psychosocial Group Therapy Sessions in Rehabilitation of Schizophrenia Patients- Integrated CBT and Social Skills Intervention

Background: Researches on schizophrenia patients using CBT or psychosocial rehabilitation showed positive results in past. Aim: The current research taking it forward using psychosocial rehabilitation group therapy sessions (Integrated CBT and Social Skills Intervention) with schizophrenia patients. Methodology: The study is done with a single group of thirty schizophrenia patients within a period of four months (included 30 group therapy sessions, two sessions per week). Improvement was assessed using PANSS rating scale. Results: Pre and post sessions PANSS scores showed considerable reduction in their positive, negative and general psychopathology symptoms. The scores therefore suggest improvement in patients’ understanding of their illness, their functioning and on their recovery. Conclusion: These findings suggest usefulness of psychosocial group therapy work (integrated CBT and Social skills interventions) with patients having schizophrenia. Future implications: To develop a psychosocial rehabilitation group therapy module for patients with schizophrenia.