Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a Web-based psychoeducational program in helping people with schizophrenia and their families manage the disease.
Detailed description
This study will provide a comprehensive psychoeducational program which includes education, social support, information, coping strategies, and guidance from mental health, social services, and medical professionals. This study will work to reduce relapse, facilitate patient rehabilitation, decrease family distress, and improve family well being. Patients and their families participate in an in-person Psychoeducational Survival Skills Workshop that is designed to provide patients and their families with basic information about schizophrenia and its treatment. After the workshop, participants are provided with 6 Web-based modules that are designed to increase mental health and schizophrenia knowledge. Patient relapse, family distress, family knowledge of schizophrenia, and data on user's acceptance and utilization are measured to determine the intervention's effectiveness.
Interventions
PROCEDUREWorld Wide Web-Based Psychoeducation
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
University of Pittsburgh
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder * At least 4 hours/week in-person contact with a family member * Primary caregiver with a telephone * Patient and primary caregiver speak and read English
Exclusion criteria
* Enrolled in another clinical trial * Evidence of organic brain syndrome * Current alcohol or substance abuse that could explain the presenting index psychotic episode * DSM-IV diagnosis of psychoactive substance dependency
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed