Differential therapy effects of psychoeducational psychotherapy for schizophrenic patients--results of a 2-year follow-up

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of the efficacy and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in schizophrenic patients. However, little research has been done on differential therapy effects. In a prospective, randomized clinical trial we carried out psychoeducational medication management training, cognitive psychotherapy, and key-person counseling. The patients of the control group participated in structured free-time activities for control of therapeutic commitment. Data from a total of 156 schizophrenic patients (DSM-III-R, no first-admissions) were available at 2-year follow-up. We analyzed in this study whether there are differential therapy effects of these interventions, depending on patient characteristics at baseline. There was a significant statistical interaction between treatment condition (specific/non-specific) and prognosis with respect to treatment outcome. Patients with a favorable prognosis and better social functioning had a better course under the specific treatment but a less favorable outcome in the non-specifically treated control group. These results suggest that more vulnerable patients are not sufficiently capable of learning and using coping strategies for relapse prevention. We need to learn more about differential indications for psychosocial treatment.