Controlled study of an integrated psychological intervention in Schizophrenia

Abstract

The study analyses the impact of an integrated therapy programme for schizophrenic patients, consisting of IPT (Brenner, Hodel, Roder & Corrigan 1992a), psychoeducation and behaviour therapy, on clinical and social levels of functioning. Subjects were 20 outpatients in therapy group and 15 in comparison group. Instruments were used to assess patient's clinical status and stress level, as well as family functioning, coping styles, and problem solving skills. Three assessments were undertaken before and once finished the therapy programme (12 months later), and at the end of a nine months follow-up period. Results indicate a clear improvement in clinical status and social functioning in the experimental group, as compared to comparison group.