title: Psychoeducation and the family burden in schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of patients with schizophrenia live with their relatives in Pakistan, thereby families experience a considerable burden. We aimed to study the impact of psychoeducation on the burden of schizophrenia on the family in a randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 108 patients with schizophrenia and their family members from the outpatient department of a teaching hospital in Lahore, Pakistan were randomised. Both groups received psychotropic drugs but one group received psychoeducation in addition. Family burden was assessed at the time of recruitment and at 6 months post intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 99 patients and their relatives completed the treatment. There was significant reduction in burden at post-intervention assessment in the psychoeducation group based on intention to treat analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family psychoeducation can be an important intervention for patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. tanveernasr@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Tanveer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.forename: Rukhsana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kausar