Drug and Sociotherapy in the Aftercare of Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract

We examined the effects of chlorpromazine and major role therapy (MRT) on the quality of community adjustment of schizophrenic patients during a two-year period following hospital discharge. Among patients in the community, those treated with combined drug and sociotherapy adjust better than those taking the drug alone; to a greater extent, those receiving placebo alone adjust better than those receiving placebo and sociotherapy. However, only 20% of those in the placebo group have not relapsed after two years while the comparable percentage for the drug group is 52%. Effects found on assessments made by psychiatrists, social workers, family ratings, and self-reports replicate at three clinics. Maximum restorative benefits require both maintenance phenothiazine and psychologic treatment continued for beyond a single year following hospital discharge.