BackgroundBrief cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is an emerging treatment forschizophrenia in community settings; however, further trials are needed,especially in non-Western countries.AimsTo test the effects of brief CBT for Chinese patients with schizophreniain the community (trial registration: ChiCTR-TRC-13003709).MethodA total of 220 patients with schizophrenia from four districts of Beijingwere randomly assigned to either brief CBT plus treatment as usual (TAU)or TAU alone. Patients were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and at6- and 12-month follow-ups by raters masked to group allocation.ResultsAt the post-treatment assessment and the 12-month follow-up, patients whoreceived brief CBT showed greater improvement in overall symptoms,general psychopathology, insight and social functioning. In total, 37.3%of those in the brief CBT plus TAU group experienced a clinicallysignificant response, compared with only 19.1% of those in the TAU alonegroup (P = 0.003).ConclusionsBrief CBT has a positive effect on Chinese patients with schizophrenia inthe community.