Family behaviour helps schizophrenics avoid relapse

Family behaviour helps schizophrenics avoid relapse

Working to change the behaviour of family members may be an effective treatment for people with schizophrenia, according to a new study co-authored by a researcher at the University of Sheffield.

The research team, which included John Rathbone from the University´s School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) reviewed the most up-to-date evidence on the subject and found that patients whose families received psychosocial interventions were less likely to relapse.

It has long been known that people who have schizophrenia are more likely to relapse if they experience high levels of criticism, hostility and over involvement from family members. New psychosocial interventions that aim to reduce levels of these potentially negative emotions are now widely used, although their effectiveness has not been proved.

The researchers reviewed data from 53 trials involving a total of 4,708 patients. Interventions lasted from six weeks to three years and involved a range of psychosocial techniques aimed at reducing stress and levels of expressed emotions, and helping family members to solve patient problems. Patients in control groups were given standard care, including their usual drug treatments. Patients were assessed using a wide variety of different scales for general and mental health, social functioning, behaviour and quality of life.

The main benefit of family interventions was a decrease in relapses. Results from 32 of the trials showed that for every seven patients whose relatives were given family interventions, one benefited compared to control groups. Family interventions also significantly reduced hospital admissions over a year, improved patients´ social functioning and encouraged them to stick to drug treatment regimes.

Co-author John Rathbone said: "There are still differences of opinion about the evidence base for this type of therapy, but this new research has shown that changing the behaviour of family members can benefit schizophrenic patients. The results showed that through a range of techniques, the interventions led to reduced stress for both the patient and the family members. We hope that in the future we can embark on larger studies to settle arguments about this widely used therapy."