Evaluation of the effectiveness of integrated psychological therapy in long-term evolution of patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction. Psychosocial therapy programs have been effective in relapse prevention, symptoms control, and functional improvement in patients with schizophrenia. Accordingly, and in addition to medication, they are currently an indicated therapy component. Therapy efficacy of the package used in this study was positive in short-term follow-ups and is now appropriate to analyze them four years later.

Method. Clinical and social functioning effects of a psychosocial intervention package, consisting of psychoeducation and integrated psychological therapy (IPT) with patients, and psychoeducation, behavioral therapy and problem solving training with families, were studied in 20 out-patients with schizophrenia (using pre-treatment, post-treatment and four-year follow-up measures).

Results. Within groups results indicate a sustained improvement in the treatment group as compared to a 15 out-patients comparison group that received standard treatment. All participants were on stable regimens of antipsychotic medications. After the follow-up period, however, between groups differences tend to diminish.

Conclusions. The overall findings indicated that this package has produced encouraging effects still apparent in the 4 year follow-up. However, the intervention procedure merits further investigation, and suggestions are made to keep a low-level, long-lasting psychosocial intervention, adapted to each patient’s needs.