Regular Article

Systemic Family Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Effectiveness
Cinzia Bressi, Stefano Manenti, Patrizia Frongia, Matteo Porcellana, Giordano Invernizzi

Psychiatric Clinic, Milan State University, Fondazione IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Psychother Psychosom 2008;77:43-49 (DOI: 10.1159/000110059)

  Key Words

• Family intervention
• Family therapy
• Systemic family therapy
• Schizophrenia

  Abstract

Background: Although evidence suggests the effectiveness of cognitive and behaviorally oriented family therapies for schizophrenia, no specific randomized study has been carried out on Systemic Family Therapy (SFT). The purpose of this longitudinal prospective study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of SFT in the treatment of patients suffering from schizophrenia, as compared with a control case sample composed of patients undergoing routine psychiatric treatment. The study included a 2-year follow-up period and was conducted following the Milan School model. Methods: The case sample in the study was made up of 20 patients treated with SFT associated with routine psychiatric treatment, and 20 patients undergoing routine psychiatric treatment alone. Both groups of patients were re-evaluated at the end of treatment (T1) and 12 months after the end of treatment (T2) to assess the clinical course of the illness. Results: At the end of the follow-up period, we noticed an improved clinical course and a better pharmacological compliance in the group of patients treated with SFT. In the experimental case sample, 3 subjects (15%) had relapsed, compared to 13 patients (65%) in the control group (p = 0.03). No significant difference was found in the 2nd year of follow-up. Conclusions: Our study provides an innovative contribution with regard to the evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of SFT in the treatment of schizophrenic patients. The clinical results were significant, and we thus feel justified in continuing to use this type of therapy in integrated interventions involving schizophrenic patients.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Cinzia Bressi
Psychiatric Clinic, Milan State University
Fondazione IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan (Italy)
Tel. +39 0255 035 986, Fax +39 0250 320 310, E-Mail cinzia.bressi@unimi.it

  Article Information

Published online: December 14, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 34