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Early-stage Schizophrenia may be Treated With Combination Therapy
The researchers found that patients getting the combo-therapy appear less likely to discontinue treatment or relapse-and may have improved insight, quality of life and social functioning-than those on medication.
Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of therapy for patients with schizophrenia, but long-term therapy is associated with adverse effects and poor adherence, according to background information in the article.
"Most patients, even those with a good response to medication, continue to experience disabling residual symptoms, impaired social and occupational functioning and a high rate of relapse. Adding psychosocial treatment may produce greater improvements in functional outcome than does medication treatment alone," wrote the authors.
Dr, Xiaofeng Guo and Dr. Jinguo Zhai, of Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China, and colleagues evaluated this combination of therapies in 1,268 patients with early-stage schizophrenia treated from Jan. 1, 2005, through Oct. 31, 2007.
A total of 633 were randomly assigned to receive pharmacotherapy plus a psychosocial intervention involving 48 one-hour group sessions.
The intervention included four evidence-based practices: psychoeducation (instruction for families and caregivers about mental illness), family intervention (teaching coping and socializing skills), skills training and cognitive behavioral therapy. The other 635 patients received medication alone.
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