A number of studies suggest that individual cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is beneficial to patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This study investigated the effectiveness of group CBT in reducing fatigue and distress in five outpatients with a diagnosis of CFS throughout therapy and at 3-month follow-up. The nature of the group, treatment outcomes and benefits of this approach are outlined. Group CBT was acceptable to participants and led to improvements in fatigue as well as cognitive functioning.

Results are presented from a randomized controlled trial indicating which psychotic symptoms respond to cognitive behaviour therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate whether different types of psychotic symptoms are more or less responsive to cognitive-behaviour therapy compared to treatment received by control groups. Seventy-two patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia who experienced persistent positive psychotic symptoms were assessed at baseline and randomized to either cognitive-behaviour therapy and routine care, supportive counselling and routine care, or routine care alone and were re-assessed after 3 months of treatment (post-treatment). Independent and blind assessment of outcome indicated delusions significantly improved with both cognitive behaviour therapy and supportive counselling compared to routine care. Hallucinations significantly decreased with cognitive-behaviour therapy compared to supportive counselling. There was no difference in the percentage change of hallucinations compared to delusions in patients treated by cognitive behaviour therapy. There was little change in measures of affective symptoms but there was no evidence that a reduction in positive symptoms was associated with an increase in depres sion. In fact, a reduction in positive symptoms was positively correlated with a reduction in depression. There were significant differences in the reductions in thought disorder and negative symptoms with an advantage of cognitive-behaviour therapy compared to routine care.

The study aimed to investigate why patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia discontinue psychological therapy. Patients who dropped out of a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behaviour therapy and supportive counselling in the treatment of persistent positive psychotic symptoms were asked to complete a questionnaire on their reasons for doing so. Nine out of 12 patients who dropped out completed the questionnaire which consisted of 22 items that could be rated true or false. Although the size of the sample was small, the response rate was acceptable at 75%. The median number of reasons given was 7 (range 3 to 12), with the most common reason being that therapy was not perceived as suitable for the individual’s particular problems. The characteristics of the patients who dropped out are described.