title: The Texas medication algorithm project: clinical results for schizophrenia.
abstract: In the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP), patients were given algorithm-guided treatment (ALGO) or treatment as usual (TAU). The ALGO intervention included a clinical coordinator to assist the physicians and administer a patient and family education program. The primary comparison in the schizophrenia module of TMAP was between patients seen in clinics in which ALGO was used (n = 165) and patients seen in clinics in which no algorithms were used (n = 144). A third group of patients, seen in clinics using an algorithm for bipolar or major depressive disorder but not for schizophrenia, was also studied (n = 156). The ALGO group had modestly greater improvement in symptoms (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) during the first quarter of treatment. The TAU group caught up by the end of 12 months. Cognitive functions were more improved in ALGO than in TAU at 3 months, and this difference was greater at 9 months (the final cognitive assessment). In secondary comparisons of ALGO with the second TAU group, the greater improvement in cognitive functioning was again noted, but the initial symptom difference was not significant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, MS 7792, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antionio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. millera@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Alexander L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: M Lynn
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Crismon
authors.forename: A John
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiles
authors.forename: T Michael
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kashner
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toprac
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carmody
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shores-Wilson
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiles
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bow-Thomas
authors.forename: Dawn I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Velligan
authors.forename: Madhukar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.forename: Trisha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suppes
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents