BACKGROUND: We developed and evaluated a comprehensive, ongoing intervention for families of schizophrenic patients appropriate for China's complex family relationships and unique social environment. METHOD: Sixty-three DSM-III-R schizophrenic patients living with family members were enrolled when admitted to hospital and randomly assigned to receive standard care or a family-based intervention that included monthly 45-minute counselling sessions focused on the management of social and occupational problems, medication management, family education, family group meetings, and crisis intervention. RESULTS: At 6, 12, and 18-month follow-ups by blind evaluators, the proportion of subjects rehospitalised was lower, the duration of rehospitalisation was shorter, and the duration of employment was longer in the experimental group than in the control group; these differences were statistically significant at the 12 and 18-month follow-ups and were not explained by differences in drug compliance. Family intervention was associated with significantly lower levels of family burden. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention is less costly than standard treatment, is suitable for urban families of schizophrenic patients in China and feasible given the constraints of the Chinese mental health system.
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BACKGROUND: We developed and evaluated a comprehensive, ongoing intervention for families of schizophrenicpatients appropriate for China's complex family relationships and unique social environment. METHOD: Sixty-three DSM-III-R schizophrenicpatients living with family members were enrolled when admitted to hospital and randomly assigned to receive standard care or a family-based intervention that included monthly 45-minute counselling sessions focused on the management of social and occupational problems, medication management, family education, family group meetings, and crisis intervention. RESULTS: At 6, 12, and 18-month follow-ups by blind evaluators, the proportion of subjects rehospitalised was lower, the duration of rehospitalisation was shorter, and the duration of employment was longer in the experimental group than in the control group; these differences were statistically significant at the 12 and 18-month follow-ups and were not explained by differences in drug compliance. Family intervention was associated with significantly lower levels of family burden. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention is less costly than standard treatment, is suitable for urban families of schizophrenicpatients in China and feasible given the constraints of the Chinese mental health system.
Authors: Kim T Mueser; Shirley M Glynn; Corrine Cather; Haiyi Xie; Roberto Zarate; Lindy Fox Smith; Robin E Clark; Jennifer D Gottlieb; Rosemarie Wolfe; James Feldman Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2012-01-26 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Jair de Jesus Mari; Luís Fernando Tófoli; Cristiano Noto; Li M Li; Alessandra Diehl; Angélica M Claudino; Mario F Juruena Journal: Drugs Date: 2013-09 Impact factor: 9.546
Authors: Lisa B Dixon; Faith Dickerson; Alan S Bellack; Melanie Bennett; Dwight Dickinson; Richard W Goldberg; Anthony Lehman; Wendy N Tenhula; Christine Calmes; Rebecca M Pasillas; Jason Peer; Julie Kreyenbuhl Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2009-12-02 Impact factor: 9.306