Relapse Prevention in First Episode of Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders: a 5 Year Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Enrollment
- 200
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Psychotic relapse
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of specialised and sustained intervention with or without parent groups during the initial phase of schizophrenia or related disorders on relapse prevention
Methods: A three conditions randomized trial with a duration of five years
Participants: 200 consecutively referred patients aged 15-28 years with a first psychotic episode of schizophrenia or related disorder
Treatment-conditions: Specialized Treatment of early schizophrenia (ST), ST including Parent groups (ST+P) and Treatment As Usual (TAU).
Outcome-measures: cumulative relapse rates and time to first relapse after first remission. Secondary outcome measure: social functioning.
Statistical analysis: cumulative relapse rates using life-table methods. The effect of the three interventions on time to first relapse after remission will be compared using Cox regression analysing intention to treat (ITT) grouping.
Detailed Description
Evidence for optimal duration and necessary ingredients of early and sustained specialized treatment from first episode psychosis till the end of the initial phase schizophrenia is still insufficient. Randomized trials with a treatment duration of six months to two years with favorable symptomatic and psychosocial results disappeared at five year follow-up. Other studies suggest that specialized treatment should last 5 years in order to be able to prevent instead of only delaying clinical and psychosocial deteriorating.
In this study we examine both the symptomatic (relapse) and psychosocial outcome of a three armed five year randomized trial in the initial phase of schizophrenia.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 15 Years to 28 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Patients were eligible for the study if they: 1) met DSM-IV-Revised criteria for schizophrenia or related disorders, 2) were suffering from a first psychotic episode and 3) were living in contact with parent(s) or other relatives.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Patients with drug-related psychoses were not included.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Psychotic relapse
Time Frame: at year 1, year 3 and year 5
Participants will be followed for the duration of the 5 year outpatient treatment of the trial. During the trial the timing and number of psychotic relapses of each participant will be assessed using the Life Chart Schedule (LCS) at year 1, year 3 and year 5 after the start of the trial. Trained interviewers not involved in clinical treatment of patients will elicit with the LCS detailed information of symptoms, signs and treatment from respondents (patients and/or parents) and from clinical records. Respondents will be asked to indicate any changes in symptomatology since the last interview. All details will be fitted in a schedule with 6 months intervals.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Social functioning(at year 1, year 3 and year 5)
Investigators
Donald H. Linszen
Principle Investigator
Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)