A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF PSYCHIATRIC DAY TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH AFFECTIVE AND PERSONALITY-DISORDERS

Objective: The outcome of a day treatment program for psychiatric outp atients with affective and pesonality disorders was evaluated. The pro gram was dynamically oriented, intensive, group focused, and time limi ted (18 weeks). Methods. The prospective trial used a randomized treat ment-versus-control (delayed-treatment) design to examine 17 outcome v ariables covering five areas. interpersonal functioning, symptomatolog y, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and defensive functioning. Those va riables, plus individualized treatment objectives, were monitored befo re and after the treatment and control periods and at follow-up an ave rage of eight months later. Results: Treated patients showed significa ntly better outcome than control patients for seven of the 17 outcome variables: social dysfunction, family dysfunction, interpersonal behav ior, mood level, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and severity of distu rbance associated with individual goals of treatment as rated by an in dependent assessor. The findings could not be accounted for by diagnos is or use of medication. Benefits were maintained over the follow-up p eriod. The average treatment-versus-control effect size for all 17 var iables was .71. Conclusions: The study supports the efficacy of an int ensive day treatment program for patients who manifest significant dif ficulties associated with affective and personality disorders.