A randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention for families of patients with a first episode of psychosis

Abstract

It was found that the support and advice intervention for families had little impact on their satisfaction or on patients' outcomes. However, failure to take up the intervention threatens the conclusions as the power to show an effect was reduced. Although family interventions, in general, are considered an important adjunct to the treatment of patients with chronic psychosis, there may be difficulties in providing an educational and support intervention shortly after first onset. How and when psychiatric services provide information and advice to carers of people newly diagnosed with a psychosis requires further study.

Family interventions in early psychosis: specificity and effectiveness

“…However, 5-year follow-up data indicated that family interventions reduced the length of time service users spent in hospital when compared with the standard individual interventions (Lenior, Dingemans & Linszen, 2001). In 106 families, Leavey et al (2004) compared a brief, seven-session family intervention with standard care. The authors observed no differences between the two groups in readmission rates and carer satisfaction.…”

Family intervention for schizophrenia

“…Most trials did not achieve full blindness although many studies attempted to single blind at least some measurements (Barrowclough 2001;Falloon 1981;Goldstein 1978;Leavey 2004;Merinder 1999;Vaughan 1992;Zhang 1994). …”

“…Setting-Studies were conducted in Australia (two trials), Canada (one trial), Europe (12 trials), the People's Republic of China (28 trials) and the USA (10 trials). Leavey 2004) were diagnosed as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Most studies used structured clinical assessments to determine the diagnosis (DSM 20 studies, CCMD 15 studies, ICD-10 seven studies, RDC two studies, New Haven Index one study, and PSE six studies).…”

“…Thirteen trials included family therapy in the presence of patients (Barrowclough 2001;De Giacomo 1997;Dyck 2002;Falloon 1981;Glynn 1992;Goldstein 1978;Herz 2000;Leff 1982;Leff 2001;Mak 1997;Zhang 1994) whilst eight restricted the groups to relatives (Bloch 1995;Chien 2004;Hogarty 1997;Leavey 2004;Posner 1992;Vaughan 1992). conducted family sessions mostly without the patient being present.…”

“…Ten studies reported that no form of blinding was used (Bloch 1995;De Giacomo 1997;Fernandez 1998;Glynn 1992;Herz 2000;Leavey 2004;Leff 1982;. A further 16 studies did not mention whether blinding had been used.…”