Social network intervention in patients with schizophrenia and marked social withdrawal: a randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of actions intended to implement or improve patients' social network within the Italian National Health Service community mental health services.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized clinical trial through a network of 47 community mental health services on patients with a diagnosis in the schizophrenia spectrum (F20 in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision), who were young (aged younger than 45 years), and with a poor social network (less than 5 relationships). In addition to routine treatments, for the experimental group, the staff identified possible areas of interest for individual patients and proposed social activities taking place outside the services' resources and with members of the community. The main outcome was an improvement in the patients' social network; secondary end points were clinical outcome, abilities of daily living, and work.


RESULTS
One- and 2-year outcomes of 345 and 327, respectively, of the 357 patients randomized were analyzed by intention-to-treat. A social network improvement was observed at year 1 in 25% of the patients allocated to routine treatment and in 39.9% of those allocated to the experimental arm (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.1; adjusted OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.9). The difference remained statistically significant at year 2. No significant differences emerged for any of the other end points. However, patients with 1 or more other areas of improvement at year 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant social network improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
The activation of social networks as an activity integrated with standard psychiatric care is practicable, without added economic and organizational costs, and appears to produce an effect persisting well beyond its implementation.
Epidemiologist, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Santa Maria Imbaro, Chieti, Italy.
Emanuela
E
Terzian
Gianni
G
Tognoni
Renata
R
Bracco
Edoardo
E
De Ruggieri
Rita Angela
RA
Ficociello
Roberto
R
Mezzina
Giuseppe
G
Pillo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D058992:Social Participation; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
outcome research; psychiatric services; quality of life; randomized clinical trial; rehabilitation; schizophrenia; social networks