Roll of the Third Wave Therapies in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction

The schizophrenia is a frequent mental disorder. The symptoms affect the emotions, cognition, perception and other aspects of the behaviour. In the last years have been developed different interventions and psychological treatments in order to improve the personal and social functioning of these patients. Among the new proposals is the called “third wave”.

Objectives

Determine the efficacy of third generation therapies in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Methods

We have performed a systematic review of the existing bibliography in PubMed/Medline, Cochrane and Dialnet, using the combination of different keywords “acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, psychosis, schizophrenia, third wave of therapies, based cognitive therapy”.

Results

The based cognitive therapy for the psychosis (CBT) was designed for the treatment of the residual symptoms of schizophrenia, however in the present there are over 30 randomized trial publications were is evaluated the efficacy of CBT in psychosis, on positive and negative symptoms, functionality and affectivity. It is most effective in acute episodes.

Conclusions

The treatment with the third generation therapies reduces the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and improves depressive and anxiety symptoms. The CBT and the mindfulness are the most studied. There are scientifically therapeutic options for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia in combination with pharmacotherapy.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.