The results suggest that the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms has good reliability and is a useful instrument for the measurement of negative symptoms in multisite clinical studies. The internal reliability of the Alogia, Avolition-Apathy, and Inattention subscales could be improved by replacing some items and including additional items.
Question: Can rehospitalizations in schizophrenia be prevented at reduced cost by innovative mobile technology-delivered interventions?Findings: In this clinical trial with 438 patients, a technology-enhanced relapse prevention program compared to usual services reduced an average of four days of hospitalization per patient during the first 6 months following an index hospitalization.Meaning: Relapse prevention through a health technology may improve care while reducing costs associated with hospitalization.
AbstractImportance: Psychiatric hospitalization is a major driver of cost in the treatment of schizophrenia. Symptom relapses are a frequent cause of hospitalization and both are primary source of burden to patients and their supporters.
Objective:To determine whether a novel, multicomponent, and technology-enhanced approach to relapse prevention in outpatients following a psychiatric hospitalization could reduce days spent in a hospital after discharge.
Design:The Improving Care and Reducing Cost (ICRC) study was a quasi-experimental clinical trial in outpatients with schizophrenia conducted between February 2013 and April 2015 at 10 different sites in the US. Data were obtained from 89 participants who received usual relapse prevention services, followed by a second cohort of 349 participants who received the technology-enhanced relapse prevention program. Both groups were followed for 6 months.Setting: Outpatient setting.Participants: Patients were between 18 and 60 years old; had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified; and were currently hospitalized or had been hospitalized within the past 30 days.Intervention: Patients received usual care or a technology-enhanced relapse prevention program during a 6-month period after discharge.
Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s):Days spent in a psychiatric hospital during 6 months after discharge.
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