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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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01-02-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Family interventions for schizophrenia in Italy: randomized controlled trial

Authors: Giuseppe Carrà, Cristina Montomoli, Massimo Clerici, Carlo Lorenzo Cazzullo

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Issue 1/2007

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple group family treatment for Schizophrenia.

Method

Relatives were randomly provided with an informative programme (n = 50), or allocated to receive an additional support programme (n = 26). Patients did not attend the programme to overcome cultural and organizational implementation barriers. The 12 and 24 months clinical and family outcomes were assessed.

Results

Patients’ compliance with standard care was greater at 12 months in the more intensive behavioural management group over a control group receiving treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 25). A reduction in levels of expressed emotion (EE), significantly more frequent in those receiving the additional support programme than just the informative, occurred after treatment completion. Other clinical and family outcomes did not differ. However, treatment benefits declined at 24 months, when baseline high EE was again predictive of patient’s admission and relatives were more vulnerable to objective burden. Baseline illness severity variables predicted a number of medium and long-term poor clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Although family psychoeducation has been tested in a wide range of Anglo-Saxon settings, there remains need to assess outcomes more internationally. Effective family interventions for people with schizophrenia probably require continued administration of key-elements or ongoing informal support to deal with the vicissitudes of illnesses.

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Title: Family interventions for schizophrenia in Italy: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Giuseppe Carrà
Cristina Montomoli
Massimo Clerici
Carlo Lorenzo Cazzullo
Publication date: 01-02-2007
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0677-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Family interventions for schizophrenia in Italy: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

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