Integrated Psychosocial Intervention in Schizophrenia: Implications for Patients and Caregivers (A Study from India)

A comparative pre and post intervention analysis to determine the extent of change in psychiatric symptomatology in schizophrenic patients attending a community based rehabilitation programme and the family burden and perceived quality of life of their caregivers was undertaken. An integrated intervention package comprising of pharmacotherapy, psychosocial therapies and spiritual therapy was provided to the patients and their caregivers. Instruments to assess the psychiatric status of the patients as well as family burden and quality of life of their caregivers were administered. Results indicate significant reduction in patient symptomatology as well as caregiver burden and enhanced QOL of the caregivers following intervention. Further, a significant negative correlation between the family burden and QOL scores of the caregivers was obtained. It is suggested on the basis of this study that spiritual therapy specific to the religious orientation of patients combined with pharmacotherapy and other psychosocial therapies may enhance the effectiveness of intervention in schizophrenia.