title: Patient education methods to support quality of life and functional ability among patients with schizophrenia: a randomised clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of patient education methods on quality of life and functional impairment of patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre, randomized controlled trial was carried out in two psychiatric hospitals in Finland from March 2005 to October 2007. A total of 311 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder or delusional disorder were randomly allocated to computer-based patient education (n = 100), conventional education with standard leaflets (n = 106) and standard treatment (n = 105). Participants were followed up 12 months later. Primary outcome was quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF) and secondary outcome was functional disability (SDS). Analysis was performed by intention-to-treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN74919979.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' global quality of life improved and functional disability decreased significantly in all education groups over the follow-up time. There were no significant differences between groups in these outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In light of the findings there is no evidence to support a particular education method as the best way to improve patients' quality of life or improve functional ability. On the other hand, no intervention was found to be harmful. Thus computer-based patient education may be a suitable alternative for some patients. While information technology will be more widely used in societies, computer-based intervention may be beneficial for some patients with serious mental disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. anneli.pitkanen@pshp.fi
authors.forename: Anneli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitkänen
authors.forename: Maritta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Välimäki
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuosmanen
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katajisto
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koivunen
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hätönen
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult