Functional adaptation skills training (FAST): a pilot psychosocial intervention study in middle-aged and older patients with chronic psychotic disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Developing behavioral interventions to improve functioning of older patients with schizophrenia and other chronic psychoses has the potential to significantly increase the patients' independence and quality of life.


METHODS
The authors evaluated a psychosocial intervention designed to improve everyday living skills of middle-aged and older outpatients with very chronic psychotic disorders (mean duration of illness: 21 years). Forty patients who resided in board-and-care facilities were randomly assigned to either a 24-session functional adaptation skills training (FAST) group therapy program targeting problem areas identified in previous work as being problematic for this population (e.g., using public transportation) or treatment-as-usual. Almost all the participants also received antipsychotics.


RESULTS
Compared with the patients randomized to the treatment-as-usual condition, FAST-treated patients' performance on everyday living skills improved significantly immediately post-intervention and was still significantly better at a 3-month maintenance follow-up period. There was no significant change in psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that older patients with longstanding psychotic disorders may benefit from participation in this skills-training program.
Patterson
Thomas L
TL
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0680, USA. tpatterson@ucsd.edu
McKibbin
Christine
C
Taylor
Michael
M
Goldman
Sherry
S
Davila-Fraga
Wendy
W
Bucardo
Jesus
J
Jeste
Dilip V
DV
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*