Randomised Controlled Trial

Question 1

What is the benefit of RCT?

Answer 1

It allows for direct comparisons to be made between CBT and other methods/TAU, often allowing for one treatment to be shown to be superior. Hence, Scott et al. (2006) found CBT to be more effective than TAU.

Question 2

Critical evaluation of RCT?

Answer 2

The results may not always have high ecological validity as it may not mimic real life treatment. RCT often use strict inclusion/exclusion criteria which may decrease the external validity.

Question 3

Gomes et al (2011)

Answer 3

Only included individuals who were taking antipsychotics and thus, results may not be representative of individuals with BD who may undertake CBT as a sole treatment.