Project Summary

Yulia Landa, Psy.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, aims to study the effectiveness of a novel cognitive treatment method to reduce paranoid delusions in people with schizophrenia. In a pilot study of the method, Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Paranoia (GCBTP), Dr. Landa found reduction in delusional conviction and an increased ability to dismiss paranoid thought. The current project will further test treatment efficacy, and examine whether this treatment can be delivered with high fidelity by another therapist. Dr. Landa will use a randomized, controlled design to compare GCBTP to a structured Social Skills (SS) group for schizophrenia in 24 paranoid patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Appropriate statistical analyses will be performed to determine if any statistically significant difference in outcomes occurs between the GCBTP and the SS control group and between the principal investigator and a trained therapist performing GCBTP. Results will suggest whether GCBTP holds promise for reducing paranoid ideation, and provide preliminary data for a larger, adequately powered study.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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