Support management in schizophrenia: a systematic review of current literature

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maurizio Pompili, Sapienza University of Rome; Franco Montebovi, Sapienza University of Rome; Alberto Forte, Sapienza University of Rome; Mario Palermo, Sapienza University of Rome; Henry Stefani, Sapienza University of Rome; Ludovica Telesforo, Sapienza University of Rome; Sandra Campi, Sapienza University of Rome; Gloria Giordano, Sapienza University of Rome; Lucia Longo, Sapienza University of Rome; Dorian A. Lamis, Emory University; Gianluca Serafini, Sapienza University of Rome; Paolo Girardi, Sapienza University of Rome
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-12-17
• Publisher: Dovepress
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 The Author(s).
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.2147/PI.S18809
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Patient Intelligence
• Volume: 4
• Start Page: 79
• End Page: 101
• Keywords: cognitive behavioral therapy; nonpharmacological treatment; schizophrenia; support management
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Cognitive

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is generally considered a chronic disorder characterized by psychotic symptoms and relatively stable neurocognitive and interpersonal deficits. Antipsychotic medication has proven beneficial in reducing psychotic symptoms, but is often not enough to treat cognitive or functional impairments. Residual cognitive impairments are barriers to a patient’s full recovery from schizophrenia. Rehabilitation is an alternative and important approach which may be useful, and encompasses a variety of treatments including social skills training and psychoeducational and cognitive behavioral treatments. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of psychosocial treatments in schizophrenia, evaluating its effects in the short and long term, comparing psychosocial treatments with pharmacotherapy, and assessing the effects of treatment and the main indications for use in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A careful MEDLINE®, Excerpta Medica, PsycLIT®, PsycINFO®, and Index Medicus search was performed to identify all papers and book chapters in English for the period 1970–2012. Results: Findings from the studies included in this qualitative analysis suggest that social skills therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, family intervention therapy, cognitive remediation therapy, and other nonpharmacological therapeutic strategies may be beneficial for patients with significant functional and symptomatic impairments. Conclusion: Schizophrenic patients treated with nonpharmacological techniques have more rapid remission and relapse less frequently than patients treated only pharmacologically.