Patient Functioning and Family Burden in a Controlled, Real-World Trial of Family Psychoeducation for Schizophrenia

Abstract

The results suggest that a psychoeducational family intervention may have a significant impact on functional outcomes of schizophrenia when provided to patients and caregivers in real-world settings.

Şizofrenide bakım veren yükünün boyutları: Hastaların işlevselliğinin rolü

“…Previous studies on this subject, both in Turkey and elsewhere, have reported a negative correlation between patient functionality, and particularly social functioning, and caregiver burden (2,18,23,24). Similarly, various studies that have tested the effect of measures such as psychoeducation and family therapies have also shown that an increase in patients' level of functionality is associated with a decrease in caregiver burden (18,21,22). From this perspective, our findings concerning the relationship between functionality and caregiver burden are compatible with those of previous studies.…”

“…Another study concluded that patients' daily hours of work was a predictor of caregiver burden (19). It has been suggested that measures aimed at increasing patients' functionality will have a positive impact on caregivers, and studies testing these measures have shown that increasing levels of patient functionality reduces the caregiver burden (18,(20)(21)(22). One of these studies found that patients' general functionality was the strongest predictor of family burden among the various factors assessed (severity and type of disease symptoms, executive function, quality of life and degree of stress) (23).…”

‘Responsible, but Still not a Real Treatment Partner’: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Relatives of Patients on Outpatient Commitment Orders

“…Such a development could make relatives distance themselves from the patient to protect themselves rather than involving themselves to promote the patient's recovery process. Conversely, contact with relatives can enhance the social functioning of the patient (Magliano, Fiorillo, Malangone, De Rosa, & Maj, 2006) and reduce the risk of relapse (Pitschel-Walz, Leucht, Bauml, Kissling, & Engel, 2001). These findings underscore the importance of involving relatives in treatment.…”

The 2009 Schizophrenia PORT Psychosocial Treatment Recommendations and Summary Statements

“…Valencia et al 77 compared psychosocial skills training combined with family therapy to treatment as usual (TAU) among individuals without a recent illness exacerbation and found a reduction in hospitalization and relapse rates in the experimental condition, but it is not possible to attribute the success of the program to family psychoeducation alone. Neither Dyck et al 153 nor Magliano et al 154 reported differences in rates of relapse and/or rehospitalization between the family intervention and the control group. However, they did report other positive outcomes associated with family psychoeducation including fewer psychiatric symptoms 153 ) and improved social and vocational outcomes 154 relative to individuals in standard care.…”