Effect of a psycho-educational intervention for family members on caregiver burdens and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia in Shiraz, Iran

BACKGROUND This study explored the effectiveness of family psycho-education in reducing patients' symptoms and on family caregiver burden. METHODS Seventy Iranian outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia disorder and their caregivers were randomly allocated to the experimental (n = 35) or control groups (n = 35). Patients in the experimental group received antipsychotic drug treatment and a psycho-educational program was arranged for their caregivers. The psycho-educational program consisted of ten 90-min sessions held during five weeks (two session in each week). Each caregiver attended 10 sessions (in five weeks) At baseline, immediately after intervention, and one month later. Validated tools were used to assess patients' clinical status and caregiver burden. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the case group showed significantly reduced symptom severity and caregiver burden both immediately after intervention and one month later. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that even need based short-term psycho-educational intervention for family members of Iranian patients with schizophrenic disorder may improve the outcomes of patients and their families. TRIAL REGISTRATION IRCT Number:138809122812 N1`.