Polish Psychiatric Association consensus statement on non-pharmacological methods in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

This consensus statement has been prepared by a group of experts consisting of professionals with long experience in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, who were appointed by the Management Board of the Polish Psychiatric Association. The evaluation involved the analysis of literature databases and information derived from meta-analyses of these data for years 2010-2020. The searched publications were in English, German and Polish language versions and involved interventions performed in groups of adult patients. The efficacy of nonpharmacological methods applied for treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia were compared with effects of adifferent treatment/combined treatment/a group with no intervention. When formulating the recommendations, the experts analysed the source data in terms of their application in the Polish conditions. The current recommendations of academic societies and literature on the treatment of schizophrenia with predominant negative symptoms were taken into account. The experts included items that involved a comparison of a study group in terms of non-pharmacological interventions, and pharmacologically treated cases were taken into account only when divisions were made into standard treatment and additional intervention. The results were divided into 7 sections: 1. Psychoeducation, 2. Psychotherapy (individual, group and family therapy), 3. Psychiatric rehabilitation, 4. Emotional intelligence, social skills and mindfulness training, 5. Cognitive remediation/rehabilitation, cognitive training, 6. Clinical efficacy of physical activity, behavioral activation and metacognitive training, 7. Other rehabilitation methods (including biological methods). The recommendations were debated by experts, approved by the Management Board of the Polish Psychiatric Association,and -upon consideration of the submitted comments - adopted as aconsensus statement of the Association with the recommendation of their application in the treatment of schizophrenic patients in Poland.