SchizophreniaCBT-BDNF-SCZNCT07609953
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Added to Risperidone for Schizophrenia
A study testing Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in people with Schizophrenia, run by Hasanuddin University at 1 site in Indonesia.
Trial summary
This study evaluated whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), when added to risperidone treatment, improves cognitive function and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with schizophrenia. Participants were adults with stable-phase schizophrenia who were receiving risperidone therapy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Schizophrenia
- What is being tested?
- Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndonesia
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2025to 31 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 and PPDGJ-III criteria.
- Illness onset of schizophrenia ≤ 5 years since the first appearance of symptoms.
- Age 20 to 50 years.
- Clinically stable phase, defined as PANSS score 30 to 60.
- Receiving risperidone therapy at a dose of 4 to 6 mg/day.
- Minimum educational level of senior high school.
- Willing to participate in the study and sign informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Presence of organic comorbid conditions, such as neurological disorders, severe endocrine or metabolic disorders, chronic liver or kidney disease, or systemic infection, that may affect cognitive function or serum BDNF levels.
- History of substance use before hospital admission, except caffeine and nicotine.
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or antioxidant medications.
- Intellectual disability or mental retardation.
- Unwilling to attend cognitive behavioral therapy sessions.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Indonesia1 site
Rumah Sakit Khusus Daerah (RSKD) Dadi Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan
Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90113
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as Adjunctive Therapy on Cognitive Function and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Patients With Schizophrenia Receiving Risperidone Therapy
This study evaluated whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), when added to risperidone treatment, improves cognitive function and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with schizophrenia. Participants were adults with stable-phase schizophrenia who were receiving risperidone therapy. They were assigned to either a control group receiving risperidone alone or an intervention group receiving risperidone plus 10 weekly CBT sessions.
Cognitive function was assessed using the Indonesian version of the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI-Ina). Serum BDNF levels were measured from blood samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurements were performed at baseline and after 10 weeks. The study was conducted at Rumah Sakit Khusus Daerah Dadi, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Read the detailed description
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder associated not only with psychotic symptoms but also with persistent cognitive impairment. Cognitive deficits may affect attention, working memory, verbal memory, processing speed, reasoning, problem solving, and social cognition. These impairments can interfere with daily functioning and long-term recovery. Although risperidone is commonly used as an antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia, its effect on cognitive function may be limited. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may provide additional benefit by helping patients identify maladaptive beliefs, develop coping strategies, improve insight, and strengthen adaptive behavior.
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of CBT as an adjunctive therapy to risperidone on cognitive function and serum BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia. BDNF is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuroplasticity, synaptic function, learning, and memory. Lower BDNF levels have been associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. The study assessed whether adding CBT to risperidone therapy was associated with improvement in cognitive function and changes in serum BDNF levels.
This was an interventional, randomized, single-blind, rater-blind study. Participants were patients with stable-phase schizophrenia treated at Rumah Sakit Khusus Daerah Dadi, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Eligible participants were adults aged 20 to 50 years with schizophrenia diagnosed according to DSM-5 and PPDGJ-III criteria, illness onset of 5 years or less, stable clinical condition, and ongoing risperidone therapy.
Participants were assigned to two groups. The control group received risperidone therapy. The intervention group received risperidone therapy plus CBT. The CBT intervention consisted of 10 sessions delivered once weekly over 10 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. The CBT sessions included engagement and assessment of target problems, cognitive formulation, exploration of appraisals, evaluation of beliefs, gentle reality testing, development of alternative explanations, behavioral experiments, coping strategy enhancement, insight building, relapse prevention, and future planning.
Cognitive function was measured using the Indonesian version of the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI-Ina), an interview-based instrument for assessing cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Serum BDNF levels were measured from peripheral blood samples using ELISA. Assessments were performed at baseline and at week 10. The main objective was to compare changes in cognitive function and serum BDNF levels between the risperidone-only group and the risperidone plus CBT group.
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Being tested
- Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Keywords
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, Risperidone, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, BDNF, Cognitive Function, Cognitive Assessment Interview, CAI-Ina, Psychosis
- Medical subject headings
- Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/dayDrug
Risperidone was administered as antipsychotic therapy for patients with schizophrenia. Participants in both study groups received risperidone therapy according to the study protocol.
Cognitive Behavioral TherapyBehavioural
Also called CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy was delivered as an adjunctive intervention to risperidone therapy. The intervention consisted of 10 weekly sessions over 10 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. Sessions included engagement, cognitive formulation, appraisal exploration, belief evaluation, gentle reality testing, alternative explanations, behavioral experiments, coping strategy enhancement, insight building, relapse prevention, and future planning.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants received risperidone therapy without cognitive behavioral therapy. Receives: Drug: Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day |
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Participants received risperidone therapy plus 10 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy over 10 weeks. Each CBT session lasted approximately 30 minutes. Receives: Drug: Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day; Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by CAI-Ina Total Score
Cognitive function was assessed using the Indonesian version of the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI-Ina). The CAI-Ina evaluates cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia, including processing speed, attention, working memory, verbal memory, reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition. Higher scores indicate greater cognitive impairment. The outcome was the change in total CAI-Ina score from baseline to week 10.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Level
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level was measured from peripheral blood samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The outcome was the change in serum BDNF level from baseline to week 10. Values were reported in pg/mL.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 May 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2025
- Primary completion31 Jan 2026
- Study completion31 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for SchizophreniaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: risperidone therapy alone or risperidone therapy plus 10 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hasanuddin University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Maya Angela Lisal, Hasanuddin University
- Investigators
- Maya Angela Lisal, Medical Doctor, Principal investigator, Hasanuddin University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07609953
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UH25090757
- Other IDs
- 807/UN4.6.4.5.31/PP36/2025
- Acronym
- CBT-BDNF-SCZ
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 20 May 2026
- Last updated
- 27 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared because no IPD sharing plan was specified in the approved study protocol, and participant confidentiality will be maintained according to the ethics approval and informed consent procedures.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as Adjunctive Therapy on Cognitive Function and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Patients With Schizophrenia Receiving Risperidone Therapy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07609953
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CBT-BDNF-SCZ / UH25090757
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Keywords
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, Risperidone, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, BDNF, Cognitive Function, Cognitive Assessment Interview, CAI-Ina
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hasanuddin UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluated whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), when added to risperidone treatment, improves cognitive function and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with schizophrenia. Participants were adults with stable-phase schizophrenia who were receiving risperidone therapy. They were assigned to either a control group receiving risperidone alone or an intervention group receiving risperidone plus 10 weekly CBT sessions.
Cognitive function was assessed using the Indonesian version of the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI-Ina). Serum BDNF levels were measured from blood samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurements were performed at baseline and after 10 weeks. The study was conducted at Rumah Sakit Khusus Daerah Dadi, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Detailed description
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder associated not only with psychotic symptoms but also with persistent cognitive impairment. Cognitive deficits may affect attention, working memory, verbal memory, processing speed, reasoning, problem solving, and social cognition. These impairments can interfere with daily functioning and long-term recovery. Although risperidone is commonly used as an antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia, its effect on cognitive function may be limited. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may provide additional benefit by helping patients identify maladaptive beliefs, develop coping strategies, improve insight, and strengthen adaptive behavior.
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of CBT as an adjunctive therapy to risperidone on cognitive function and serum BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia. BDNF is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuroplasticity, synaptic function, learning, and memory. Lower BDNF levels have been associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. The study assessed whether adding CBT to risperidone therapy was associated with improvement in cognitive function and changes in serum BDNF levels.
This was an interventional, randomized, single-blind, rater-blind study. Participants were patients with stable-phase schizophrenia treated at Rumah Sakit Khusus Daerah Dadi, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Eligible participants were adults aged 20 to 50 years with schizophrenia diagnosed according to DSM-5 and PPDGJ-III criteria, illness onset of 5 years or less, stable clinical condition, and ongoing risperidone therapy.
Participants were assigned to two groups. The control group received risperidone therapy. The intervention group received risperidone therapy plus CBT. The CBT intervention consisted of 10 sessions delivered once weekly over 10 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. The CBT sessions included engagement and assessment of target problems, cognitive formulation, exploration of appraisals, evaluation of beliefs, gentle reality testing, development of alternative explanations, behavioral experiments, coping strategy enhancement, insight building, relapse prevention, and future planning.
Cognitive function was measured using the Indonesian version of the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI-Ina), an interview-based instrument for assessing cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Serum BDNF levels were measured from peripheral blood samples using ELISA. Assessments were performed at baseline and at week 10. The main objective was to compare changes in cognitive function and serum BDNF levels between the risperidone-only group and the risperidone plus CBT group.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: risperidone therapy alone or risperidone therapy plus 10 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Drug: Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/dayParticipants received risperidone therapy without cognitive behavioral therapy. |
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Drug: Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day, Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral TherapyParticipants received risperidone therapy plus 10 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy over 10 weeks. Each CBT session lasted approximately 30 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 and PPDGJ-III criteria.
- Illness onset of schizophrenia ≤ 5 years since the first appearance of symptoms.
- Age 20 to 50 years.
- Clinically stable phase, defined as PANSS score 30 to 60.
- Receiving risperidone therapy at a dose of 4 to 6 mg/day.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Presence of organic comorbid conditions, such as neurological disorders, severe endocrine or metabolic disorders, chronic liver or kidney disease, or systemic infection, that may affect cognitive function or serum BDNF levels.
- History of substance use before hospital admission, except caffeine and nicotine.
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or antioxidant medications.
- Intellectual disability or mental retardation.
- Unwilling to attend cognitive behavioral therapy sessions.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/dayRisperidone was administered as antipsychotic therapy for patients with schizophrenia. Participants in both study groups received risperidone therapy according to the study protocol. | Drug | Control Group, Intervention Group |
| Cognitive Behavioral TherapyAlso: CBTCognitive behavioral therapy was delivered as an adjunctive intervention to risperidone therapy. The intervention consisted of 10 weekly sessions over 10 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. Sessions included engagement, cognitive formulation, appraisal exploration, belief evaluation, gentle reality testing, alternative explanations, behavioral experiments, coping strategy enhancement, insight building, relapse prevention, and future planning. | Behavioural | Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by CAI-Ina Total Score
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Cognitive function was assessed using the Indonesian version of the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI-Ina). The CAI-Ina evaluates cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia, including processing speed, attention, working memory, verbal memory, reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition. Higher scores indicate greater cognitive impairment. The outcome was the change in total CAI-Ina score from baseline to week 10.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Level
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared because no IPD sharing plan was specified in the approved study protocol, and participant confidentiality will be maintained according to the ethics approval and informed consent procedures.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Maya Angela Lisal, Medical Doctor principal investigator
Hasanuddin University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Risperidone 4 to 6 mg/day and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in people with Schizophrenia, run by Hasanuddin University at 1 site in Indonesia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Indonesia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by CAI-Ina Total Score (time frame: Baseline and week 10). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 May 2026.