Psychoeducational intervention for caregivers of Indian patients with schizophrenia: a randomised-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
There are hardly any randomised-controlled trials of structured family interventions for schizophrenia from India. This study attempted to evaluate the impact of a structured psychoeducational intervention for schizophrenia, compared with standard out-patient treatment, on various patient- and caregiver-related parameters.


METHODS
Seventy-six patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia and their caregivers were randomly allocated to receive either a structured psychoeducational intervention (n = 38) consisting of monthly sessions for 9 months or 'routine' out-patient care (n = 38) for the same duration. Psychopathology was assessed on monthly basis. Disability levels, caregiver-burden, caregiver-coping, caregiver-support and caregiver-satisfaction were evaluated at baseline and upon completion.


RESULTS
Structured psychoeducational intervention was significantly better than routine out-patient care on several indices including psychopathology, disability, caregiver-support and caregiver-satisfaction. The psychoeducational intervention package used was simple, feasible and not costly.


CONCLUSIONS
Structured psychoeducational intervention is a viable option for treatment of schizophrenia even in developing countries like India.
Kulhara
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. param_kulhara@yahoo.co.in
Chakrabarti
S
S
Avasthi
A
A
Sharma
A
A
Sharma
S
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*