Long-term outcomes of schizophrenia: Does psychosocial treatment make a difference?

Successful schizophrenia management should concentrate on treatment non-adherence, lack of information about the disease, poor insight, depressive symptoms, cognitive decline and stressful family atmosphere. We introduce clinically-based 6-week structured comprehensive program for out-patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in the stabilization phase of the treatment. The group program consists of individual and family psychoeducation, life style improvement intervention, social skills training, cognitive rehabilitation and information technology aided relapse prevention program (ITAREPS). To assess the feasibility and effectiveness we designed one-year prospective follow-up field study. Data on psychopathology (PANSS) and quality of life (Schwartz Outcomes Scale, WHO-QOL-BREF and Social Integration Survey) will be presented. Preliminary analyses (N=58) show statistically significant improvement in total PANSS scores and in quality of life (psychological domain, WHO-QOL-BREF). Patients and their relatives welcome the opportunity to participate in such a comprehensive program.AcknowledgementThis project was supported by CNS 2005-2009 1M000237520 MSMT CR from Ministry of Education and Youth, Czech Republic.