Effect of needs-assessment-based psychoeducation for families of patients with schizophrenia on quality of life of patients and their families: A controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Family psychoeducation is one of the most routine interventions in a schizophrenic patients' management. We evaluated the effects of a needs-assessment-based educational program in comparison with the current program on global function and quality of life (QOL) of the patients and their families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this controlled study, 60 schizophrenia patients and their families were allocated for a needs-assessment-based psychoeducation (treatment) and current education (control) programs. The family members of both the groups participated in 10 sessions of education, within about six months. The patients' global function and QOL were assessed with the global assessment of function (GAF) and the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scales (SQLS), respectively. The families' QOL was assessed with the World Health Organization's (WHO) Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Assessments were done at the beginning and then every six months, for a total of 18 months. RESULTS: Forty-two cases completed the study. Global function was improved with the treatment (P = 0.002), but not in the control group (P = 0.601). The patients' quality of life in the treatment group showed significant improvement on the psychosocial (P < 0.01) and symptoms/side effects subscale scores (P < 0.01), but not on the energy subscale score (P > 0.1). There was no significant change in the family's quality of life in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The family psychoeducational needs assessment may lead to more improvement in schizophrenic patients' global function and quality of life, but has no significant effect on their families' quality of life. It is recommended that the psychiatric care centers develop their psychoeducation profiles based on the needs-assessment program.

Effects of needs-assessment-based psycho-education of schizophrenic patients' families on the severity of symptoms and relapse rate of patients.

BACKGROUND: Family psycho-education is one of the most effective interventions for preventing relapse in patients with schizophrenia. We evaluated the efficacy of a needs-assessment-based educational program in comparison with a current program (textbook based) in the treatment of schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with schizophrenia and their families (N = 60) were allocated to needs-assessment-based education (treatment) and textbook-based (control) programs; both included 10 sessions of education within about 6 months. Symptoms were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) prior to intervention and every 3 months for a total of 18 months. A 25% decrease or increase in total PANSS score was considered as response or relapse, respectively. RESULTS: Forty-two cases completed the study. The total PANSS score was significantly decreased in both groups with more reduction in the treatment group. Positive and negative scale scores were reduced in the treatment group, but not significantly in the control group. Response rate was higher in the treatment group and relapse rate was lower (15% vs. 27.2%, P = 0.279). In logistic regression analysis, needs-assessment-based psycho-education was associated with more treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: Needs-assessment-based psycho-education is more effective than textbook-based education for treating schizophrenia. We recommend psychiatric care centers to conduct needs-assessment and develop their own program for family psycho-education.