Action
Action (Assessment of Cognitive Therapy Instead Of Neuroleptics)
The Action trial investigated cognitive therapy as a treatment for people experiencing psychosis and are not taking neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medication for their symptoms. The trial was a world first randomised controlled trial of cognitive therapy versus treatment as usual in this client group. The study was funded by the NHS Research for Patient Benefit Programme and was conducted at both Manchester and Newcastle.
The study showed that cognitive therapy significantly reduced psychiatric symptoms in the sample of participants and seems to be a safe and acceptable alternative for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who have chosen not to take antipsychotic drugs.
Results of the Action trial are reported in The Lancet scientific journal and can be found online HERE
