Effects of behavioural family management on family communication and patient outcomes in schizophrenia

Background Family interventions for schizophrenia have proved to be highly effective in preventing relapse, but it is not clear how they work or how t hey should be structured. Aims To examine the effects of a behavioural family intervention and a fami ly support programme on communication, problem solving and outcome in order to determine the impact of structured communication training. Method Patients and family members participating in the Treatment Strategie s in Schizophrenia study were videotaped engaging in 10-minute problem-solv ing conversations at baseline and after the conclusion of the family interv ention.-rapes were subsequently evaluated for changes in communication patt erns. Results The intensive behavioural intervention did not produce differential improvement in communication. and change in communication was unrelated to patient outcomes. Conclusions The data suggest that intensive behavioural family intervention s may not be cost efficient, and that change in family communication patter ns may only be important for a subset of families. Declaration of interest This research was supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH41577 and MH39998) to A.S.B., an d by the Department of Veterans Affairs Capitol Network. MIRECC.