Psychoeducational-psychotherapeutic treatment of schizophrenic patients and their key persons. II. Findings at the 2-year follow up

In this study we investigated whether,in conjunction with neuroleptics, a p sychoeducational and cognitively oriented treatment for schizophrenic outpa tients and their key-persons can improve the course of schizophrenic illnes s within a 2-year follow-up. This prospective randomized study covered a to tal of 191 schizophrenic patients (according to DSM-III-R) and comprised a psychoeducational training and cognitive psychotherapy for patients and cou nseling for their key persons in various combinations. Patients were examin ed before, immediately after and 2 years after the end of the intervention. Patients in the treatment groups reduced their overall psychopathology and their attention deficit. For patients receiving all three treatment condit ions, there was a relevant preventive effect with regard to the rehospitali zation rate appearing during the second year of the follow-up. We conclude that in the mid-term, a combination of psychoeducational and cognitively or iented therapy for patients and their keypersons can im prove the course of schizophrenic illness.