People with schizophrenia often have lack the ability to solve problems arising from day to day living and stressful life events. These deficits can affect their ability to live independently, and contribute to disability and poor quality of life. Problem solving therapy is a psychological intervention designed to improve the ability of people with schizophrenia to approach problems in a systematic way and this therapy can be used in addition to antipsychotic medication and other supportive interventions.
Problem solving therapy involves several key stages: (i) linking symptoms to problems, (ii) defining the problems, (iii) setting achievable goals, (iv) generating and choosing preferred solutions, (v) implementing preferred solutions and (vi) evaluating the result of the solution. If dealing more effectively with the problems of daily life were to reduce stress, it is possible that the risk of a relapse or increase in symptoms could be lowered.
We evaluated the effectiveness of problem solving therapy compared with other comparable therapies or routine care for those with schizophrenia. We included three small randomised trials. The overall results were inconclusive and did not demonstrate a significant advantage for problem solving in affecting hospital admission, mental state, behaviour or social skills. We are currently unable, from the results of this review, to provide guidance to support or discourage the use of problem solving skills training as an additional treatment for people with schizophrenia.
Vollständige Zusammenfassung lesen
The severe and long-lasting symptoms of schizophrenia are often the cause of severe disability. Environmental stress such as life events and the practical problems people face in their daily can worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia. Deficits in problem solving skills in people with schizophrenia affect their independent and interpersonal functioning and impair their quality of life. As a result, therapies such as problem solving therapy have been developed to improve problem solving skills for people with schizophrenia.
Zielsetzungen
To review the effectiveness of problem solving therapy compared with other comparable therapies or routine care for those with schizophrenia.
Suchstrategie
We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (September 2006), which is based on regular searches of BIOSIS, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. We inspected references of all identified studies for further trials.
Auswahlkriterien
We included all clinical randomised trials comparing problem solving therapy with other comparable therapies or routine care.
Datensammlung und ‐analyse
We extracted data independently. For homogenous dichotomous data we calculated random effects, relative risk (RR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and, where appropriate, numbers needed to treat (NNT) on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, we calculated weighted mean differences (WMD) using a random effects statistical model.
Hauptergebnisse
We included only three small trials (n=52) that evaluated problem solving versus routine care, coping skills training or non-specific interaction. Inadequate reporting of data rendered many outcomes unusable. We were unable to undertake meta-analysis. Overall results were limited and inconclusive with no significant differences between treatment groups for hospital admission, mental state, behaviour, social skills or leaving the study early. No data were presented for global state, quality of life or satisfaction.
Schlussfolgerungen der Autoren
We found insufficient evidence to confirm or refute the benefits of problem solving therapy as an additional treatment for those with schizophrenia. The small number of participants, the quality of reporting of methods and results were of concern. More trials with adequate reporting of methods to minimize bias, adequately powered, with validated, reliable and clinically meaningful outcomes are needed to provide robust evidence to guide policy and practice.
