Response to vocational rehabilitation during treatment with first- or second-generation antipsychotics.
OBJECTIVE
Second-generation antipsychotics may enhance the rehabilitation of individuals with schizophrenia. The authors hypothesized that clients receiving second-generation antipsychotics would use vocational rehabilitation services more effectively and would have better employment outcomes than those receiving first-generation antipsychotics.


METHODS
Ninety unemployed clients with schizophrenia and related disorders who were beginning a vocational rehabilitation program were followed for nine months. Three groups were defined according to the medication in use at study entry: olanzapine (N=39), risperidone (N=27), or first-generation antipsychotics only (N=24). Participants were interviewed monthly.


RESULTS
The olanzapine and risperidone groups did not differ on any employment outcomes. On most vocational indicators, clients receiving second-generation agents did not differ from those receiving first-generation agents. However, at nine months the second-generation group had a significantly higher rate of participation in vocational training; a trend was found toward a higher rate of paid employment. All groups showed substantial improvement in employment outcomes after entering a vocational program.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis that second-generation antipsychotics promote better employment outcomes than first-generation antipsychotics was not upheld. However, second-generation agents appear to be associated with increased participation in vocational rehabilitation.
Bond
Gary R
GR
Department of Psycology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 North Blackford, Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3275, USA. gbond@iupui.edu
Kim
Hea-Won
HW
Meyer
Piper S
PS
Gibson
P Joseph
PJ
Tunis
Sandra
S
Evans
Jovier D
JD
Lysaker
Paul
P
McCoy
Marion L
ML
Dincin
Jerry
J
Xie
Haiyi
H
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002641:Chicago; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents