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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 Dec;53(12):1279-87.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2014.08.014. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Effects of multidimensional treatment foster care on psychotic symptoms in girls

Richie Poulton  1 , Mark J Van Ryzin  2 , Gordon T Harold  3 , Patricia Chamberlain  2 , David Fowler  4 , Mary Cannon  5 , Louise Arseneault  6 , Leslie D Leve  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of multidimensional treatment foster care on psychotic symptoms in girls

Richie Poulton et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: Neurodevelopmental theories of psychosis highlight the potential benefits of early intervention, prevention, and/or preemption. How early intervention should take place has not been established, nor whether interventions based on social learning principles can have preemptive effects. The objective was to test whether a comprehensive psychosocial intervention can significantly alter psychotic symptom trajectories during adolescence-a period of heightened risk for a wide range of psychopathology.

Method: This study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) for delinquent adolescent girls. Assessment of psychotic symptoms took place at baseline and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-baseline using a standardized self-report instrument (Brief Symptom Inventory). A second source of information about psychotic symptoms was obtained at baseline or 12 months, and again at 24 months using a structured diagnostic interview (the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children [DISC]).

Results: Significant benefits for MTFC over treatment as usual for psychosis symptoms were observed over a 24-month period. Findings were replicated across both measures. Effects were independent of substance use and initial symptom severity and persisted beyond the initial intervention period.

Conclusion: Ameliorating nonclinical psychotic symptoms trajectories beginning in mid-adolescence via a multifaceted psychosocial intervention is possible. Developmental research on nonclinical psychotic symptoms and their prognostic value should be complemented by more psychosocial intervention research aimed at modifying these symptom trajectories early in their natural history. Clinical trial registration information-Juvenile Justice Girls Randomized Control Trial: Young Adult Follow-up; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01341626.

Keywords: MTFC; RCT; girls; juvenile justice; psychotic symptoms.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) diagram of participant flow in the overall study through study recruitment, randomization to Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) or group care (GC), and follow-up for participants in cohorts 1 and 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Psychotic symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory [BSI]) by group according to the growth curve analysis (see Table 2). Note: The graph assumes individuals with average (group mean) assessment intervals. GC = Group Care; MTFC = Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care and Psychotic Symptoms.
    Sinclair I, Parry E, Biehal N, Fresen J, Kay C, Scott S, Green J. Sinclair I, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;56(1):89. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.10.008. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017. PMID: 27993234 No abstract available.
  • Dr. Leve et al. reply.
    Leve LD, Van Ryzin MJ, Harold GT. Leve LD, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;56(1):90. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.10.013. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017. PMID: 27993235 No abstract available.

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