One-year outcome of low-intensity booster sessions versus care as usual in psychosis patients after a short-term psychoeducational intervention.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we aimed to evaluate long-term effects of a community-based, quality of life oriented psychoeducational intervention for schizophrenia with and without booster sessions.


METHODS
One hundred and three outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed a 9-week psychoeducational programme. At the end of the programme groups were block-randomised to either an extension programme comprising monthly booster sessions for a further nine months (booster condition) or routine clinical care with no further group meetings (non-booster condition). Outcome measures were applied before and after the seminar and at 6 and 12 months.


RESULTS
Positive effects were observed after the short-term 9-week programme with regard to symptoms, knowledge about the illness, illness concept, control convictions and quality of life. These effects were retained over the 12-month period in both conditions. The only relevant difference between the booster and the non-booster conditions concerned external control convictions.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall this 9-week programme has shown encouraging effects still present at 12 months after baseline independent of booster or non-booster conditions. Further studies are needed to explore whether a subgroup of patients, those with impaired neurocognitive and social functioning, can benefit significantly from booster sessions.
Sibitz
Ingrid
I
Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Amering
Michaela
M
Gössler
Ralf
R
Unger
Annemarie
A
Katschnig
Heinz
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index