Psychoeducational intervention and prevention of relapse among schizophrenic disorders in the Italian community psychiatric network

Eugenio Aguglia¹ , Elisabetta Pascolo-Fabrici¹ , Francesca Bertossi¹ and Mariano Bassi²

¹Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Trieste, Via Paolo De Ralli 5, 34126, Trieste, Italy

²Mental Health Department, Local Health Unit, AUSL Via Castiglione 29, 40124 Bologna, Italy

author email corresponding author email

Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2007, 3:7doi:10.1186/1745-0179-3-7


Published:	25 June 2007

Abstract

Background

The lack of compliance is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and switching or augmentation of therapy when compared with being compliant. A synergy of drug therapy and psychosocial interventions can give more benefits in treatment.

Methods

A perspective study was conducted on 150 patients with schizophrenia over 15 centers in Italy. The experimental group was treated with drug therapy, traditional psychosocial and psychoeducation for the patients and their families, while the control group received traditional psychosocial and drug intervention over 1 year.

Results

The experimental group showed a significant statistical improvement (p < 0,05) in almost all the scales that have been assessed (BPRS, SAPS, SANS, SIMPSON-ANGUS SCALE, LANCASHIRE QL SCALE). Significant was the reduction of the number of hospitalizations and of days of hospital stay.

Conclusion

As it is shown in international literature, psychoeducational intervention with schizophrenic patients and their families can reduce the occurrence of relapse.