Psychotherapy in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia and Nonaffective Psychosis (1 CE)

Number of credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, LMFTs, and Counselors

Course By: Rachel Schoor, PhD

Course Content: Polese, D., Fornaro, M., Palermo, M., De Luca, V., & De Bartolomeis, A. (2019). Treatment-resistant to antipsychotics: a resistance to everything? Psychotherapy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and nonaffective psychosis: A 25-year systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 210-236. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00210

Course Description: Roughly 30% of schizophrenia patients develop resistance to antipsychotic medications, but psychotherapy may help. This review examines psychotherapy interventions for treatment resistance nonaffective psychosis (TRP), including schizophrenia, over the past 25 years. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were pooled for explorative meta-analysis. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrated efficacy in reducing psychopathology and positive symptoms, but not negative symptoms. Other interventions showed similar results. Few examined negative symptoms. Group interventions and early treatment were associated with better outcomes. Limitations included high risks of measurement and publication bias. More studies are needed regarding non-CBT interventions and the treatment of negative symptoms.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the main purpose of the study, one aim of the analysis, and the two steps involved in the literature review process.
2. Identify two key findings from the analysis.
3. Identify two limitations of the presented study and consider these limitations in the context of future research in this area.

Course Outline

• Read and understand Psychotherapy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and nonaffective psychosis: A 25-year systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Consider the factors related to the treatment options among treatment resistant patients with nonaffective psychosis
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the various psychotherapeutic treatment options for treatment resistance among patients with nonaffective psychosis, and their effectiveness at improving positive and negative symptoms.