title: Optimal duration of an early intervention programme for first-episode psychosis: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous early intervention services targeting young people with psychosis have been established, based on the premise that reducing treatment delay and providing intensive treatment in the initial phase of psychosis can improve long-term outcome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish the effect of extending a specialised early intervention treatment for first-episode psychosis by 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised, single-blind controlled trial (NCT01202357) compared a 1-year extension of specialised early intervention with step-down care in patients who had all received a 2-year intensive early intervention programme for first-episode psychosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients receiving an additional year of specialised intervention had better outcomes in functioning, negative and depressive symptoms and treatment default rate than those managed by step-down psychiatric care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extending the period of specialised early intervention is clinically desirable but may not be feasible in lower-income countries.
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Wing Chung
authors: WC
authors: Chang
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Gloria Hoi Kei
authors: GH
authors: Chan
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Olivia Tsz Ting
authors: OT
authors: Jim
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Emily Sin Kei
authors: ES
authors: Lau
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Christy Lai Ming
authors: CL
authors: Hui
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Sherry Kit Wa
authors: SK
authors: Chan
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Edwin Ho Ming
authors: EH
authors: Lee
authors: Wing Chung Chang, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Gloria Hoi Kei Chan, MPhil, Olivia Tsz Ting Jim, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Emily Sin Kei Lau, BsocSc, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD, Sherry Kit Wa Chan, MRCPsych, Edwin Ho Ming Lee, MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong; Eric Yu Hai Chen, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong.
authors: Eric Yu Hai
authors: EY
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult