Effect of the cognitive behavioral therapy combined with aripiprazole on cognitive function and psychological state of schizophrenic patients

Jun Yan Kunjie Li Qiang He Jie Xiong ^*

• The Second People’s Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, China

Objective: This study focused on the effect of the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with aripiprazole on cognitive functions and psychological state of schizophrenia patients.Method: A total of 78 patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to two groups using a numerical randomization method in a double-blind study. One group received aripiprazole treatment combined with routine care for three months and was designated as the control group (n = 39). The other group received CBT combined with aripiprazole treatment for three months and was designated as the observation group (n = 39). In the two groups before and after treatment, the severity of symptoms was evaluated using the Psychiatric Symptom Rating Scale (BPRS). Cognitive function was assessed with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was utilized to evaluate mental status, while the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) measured psychological state. Additionally, the quality of life was assessed using the General Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74). In the final analysis, post-treatment efficacy and complications for the two groups were counted.Results: After treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower BPRS scores (z = -2.851 to -3.054, P < 0.05, FDR corrected) and PANSS scores (z = -3.991 to -2.093, P < 0.05, FDR corrected) compared to the control group. RBANS scores (z = -2.270 to -2.020, P < 0.05, FDR corrected), GSES scores (z = -3.951 ,P < 0.05, FDR corrected), and GQOLI-74 scores (z = -2.070 to -3.114, P < 0.05, FDR corrected) were significantly higher in the observation group. The response rate was higher in the observation group (89.74%, 35/39) than in the control group (71.79%, 28/39) (χ² = 4.044, P < 0.05). The incidence of complications was similar between groups (33.33% vs. 38.46%, χ² = 0.223, P > 0.05), but treatment adherence was significantly better in the observation group (97.44% vs. 84.62%, χ² = 3.924, P < 0.05)Conclusion: The treatment of CBT combined with aripiprazole for schizophrenia has a significantly positive effect on the cognitive functions and psychological state of patients.