Psychoeducation and compliance in the treatment of schizophrenia: results of the Munich Psychosis Information Project Study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined whether psychoeducational groups for patients with schizophrenic disorders and for their families can reduce rehospitalization rates and improve compliance.


METHODS
236 inpatients who met DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and who had regular contact with at least 1 relative or other key person were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment conditions. In the intervention condition, patients and their relatives were encouraged to attend psychoeducational groups over a period of 4 to 5 months. The patients' and relatives' psychoeducational programs were separate, and each consisted of 8 sessions. Patients in the other treatment condition received routine care. Outcomes were compared over 12-month and 24-month follow-up periods. The study was conducted from 1990 to 1994.


RESULTS
It was possible to significantly reduce the rehospitalization rate after 12 and 24 months in patients who attended psychoeducational groups compared with those receiving routine care (p < .05). Patients who attended psychoeducational groups showed better compliance than patients under routine care without psycho-education.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a relatively brief intervention of 8 psychoeducational sessions with systematic family involvement in simultaneous groups can considerably improve the treatment of schizophrenia. Psychoeducation should be routinely offered to all patients with schizophrenia and their families.
Pitschel-Walz
Gabriele
G
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. g.pitschel-walz@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Bäuml
Josef
J
Bender
Wolfram
W
Engel
Rolf R
RR
Wagner
Michael
M
Kissling
Werner
W
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013534:Survival; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents