Pitkänen, Anneli, Välimäki, Maritta, Kuosmanen, Lauri, Katajisto, Jouko, Koivunen, Marita, Hätönen, Heli, Patel, Anita and Knapp, Martin (2011) Patient education methods to support quality of life and functional ability among patients with schizophrenia. Quality of Life Research, Online . ISSN 0962-9343
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of patient education methods on quality of life and functional impairment of patients with schizophrenia. Methods A multicentre, randomized controlled trial was carried out in two psychiatric hospitals in Finland from March 2005 to October 2007. A total of 311 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder or delusional disorder were randomly allocated to computer-based patient education (n = 100), conventional education with standard leaflets (n = 106) and standard treatment (n = 105). Participants were followed up 12 months later. Primary outcome was quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF) and secondary outcome was functional disability (SDS). Analysis was performed by intention-to-treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN74919979. Results Patients’ global quality of life improved and functional disability decreased significantly in all education groups over the follow-up time. There were no significant differences between groups in these outcomes. Conclusions In light of the findings there is no evidence to support a particular education method as the best way to improve patients’ quality of life or improve functional ability. On the other hand, no intervention was found to be harmful. Thus computer-based patient education may be a suitable alternative for some patients. While information technology will be more widely used in societies, computer-based intervention may be beneficial for some patients with serious mental disorders.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.springer.com/medicine/journal/11136 |
| Additional Information: | © 2011 Springer |
| Library of Congress subject classification: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| Sets: | Departments > Social Policy Research centres and groups > Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jan 2012 11:22 |
| URL: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/38208/ |
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