Opening Treatment Windows for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: Improving Emotion Regulation Strategies Using the Unified Protocol in a Case Study in Spain

Approximately 30%-50% of people with schizophrenia worldwide have treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Currently available standard psychopharmacological and psychological treatments have proven insufficient to achieve full recovery in these patients. Alternative psychological interventions focu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Grasa E., Corripio I., Peris-Baquero O., Roldán A., Selma J., Osma J.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau)
Repositorio:r-IIB SANT PAU. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau
OAI Identifier:oai:iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com:p16340
Acceso en línea:https://iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=16340
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85165569883&doi=10.1177%2f15346501231190912&partnerID=40&md5=ed3a5de5b1af926eb9d18f13a01253a2
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:transdiagnostic
unified protocol
psychosis
schizophrenia
treatment-resistant
emotion regulation
Descripción
Sumario:Approximately 30%-50% of people with schizophrenia worldwide have treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Currently available standard psychopharmacological and psychological treatments have proven insufficient to achieve full recovery in these patients. Alternative psychological interventions focused on improving emotion regulation, such as the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP), could potentially improve treatment outcomes in this difficult to treat population. The aim of the present case study is to demonstrate how the UP can be adapted for the treatment of TRS. We decided to use UP to treat this particular patient due to the presence of intense unpleasant emotions, aversive reactions, and emotional avoidance strategies. After completing the full treatment protocol, the patient showed significant decreases in scores on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), including total and emotional rejection, life interference, and emotional lack of control. A significant reduction was also observed in anxiety (OASIS) and depressive symptoms (ODSIS). The intervention had a positive impact on auditory hallucinations, with decreased severity, less intense anxiety, and less interference in life. The treatment led to greater control over voices and the patient reported feeling more confident in her relationship with those voices. These results provide preliminary support for the use of UP for the treatment of TRS.