Efficacy of Anxiety-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Paranoid Ideation in a Non-Clinical Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: According to threat anticipation cognitive model, anxiety is the main causal factor for Paranoia. Objectives: The study was designed to answer the question of whether anxiety-based cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce paranoid ideations. Methods: During a six-month period (April to September 2017) the female students of Mashhad Universities, Iran voluntarily participated in this study, of which 30 subjects with subclinical paranoid ideations were selected based on SCID-I, scoring 1 > in the SCL-90 questionnaire, and scoring 40 > in Paranoia scale. Fifteen subjects were determined for each group based on Cohen table and the probability of dropout. They were divided into two groups. Finally, eighteen participants completed all therapy and assessment sessions. Before and after the intervention, paranoid scale and work and social adjustment scale were used to assess paranoid ideations and performance impairments. Results: This study indicated a reduction in paranoid ideation (P = 0.000) and an improvement in general function (P = 0.001). Conclusions: This study could be promising research to design specific protocols for Paranoia in a non-clinical population.