Needs-based cognitive-behavioural family intervention for patients suffering from schizophrenia: 5-year follow-up of a randomized controlled effectiveness trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a 24-week, needs-based cognitive-behaviourally oriented family intervention for patients suffering from schizophrenia led to improved relapse profiles over a 5-year follow-up period.


METHODS
The case notes of 60 patients who had participated in a randomized, controlled effectiveness trial were examined to determine relapse rates over a 5-year period.


RESULTS
Patients were less likely to relapse over the 5-year follow-up when they received the needs-based family intervention, especially in relation to exacerbations of symptoms not requiring inpatient admissions: 86.7% of control participants relapsed compared with 53.3% (P = 0.01). Survival analysis indicated that the relapse risk was 2.5 times higher for patients receiving routine care, compared with those receiving family intervention. A similar trend was observed for the final 4 years of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides some tentative support for the long-term effectiveness of family-based interventions for the management of schizophrenia in general mental health services.
Sellwood
W
W
Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Wittkowski
A
A
Tarrier
N
N
Barrowclough
C
C
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors