Abstract
BackgroundThe cooperative and dynamic relationship between patients and therapist known as Working Alliance, has in two meta-analysis shown to be an important factor for positive outcome in psychotherapy regardless the modality of therapy. Studies investigating the association between working alliance and outcome conducted in cohorts of patients with mental illness treated in a case manager setting has reported an association between a strong working alliance and reduced symptom severity, better social function, adherence to psycho-social treatment.For this study, we used data from a trial testing the effect of five years of specialized early intervention (SEI) compared to two years of SEI for patients diagnosed with first episode of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. We aimed to study the effect of the intervention on the working alliance and the change in working alliance as a dynamic factor in the two treatment conditions from baseline to follow-up.When extending specialized early intervention from two to five years’ vs transferring to treatment as usual, we hypothesized a change in working alliance and psychopathology favoring the patient in the extended SEI group.MethodsParticipants were recruited from SEI teams (OPUS) in Denmark. All newly diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrum (ICD-10, F2), age between 18 and 35. Participants were included 1 ½ year after initiation of SEI treatment (baseline) and followed up 5 years after initiation of treatment. At both assessments participants were examined with a comprehensive assessment battery including working alliance, psychopathology, social function, cognitive function, adherence to medication and client satisfaction. Assessors were blind to treatment allocation. The primary outcome, working alliance inventory (WAI), was assessed by self-assessment.A change score was calculated by subtracting the baseline score from the follow-up score. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted, corrected for the baseline value of the independent and dependent variable.ResultsOf the 289 participants who attended the follow-up interview 258 (89%) had completed the WAI at baseline and follow-up. Participants who were randomized to prolonged SEI had a stable WA from baseline to follow-up, while participants who were randomized to TAU had a mean drop in WA over the same period.Change in WA was associated with change in negative-, psychotic-, and disorganized symptoms dimension, and social function in the extended OPUS group. In the TAU group, we found that change in WA were negatively associated with change in cognitive function measured with BACS. In both groups, there were an association between the change in WA and change in client satisfaction.DiscussionThis indicates that those participants’ who continued the extended SEI treatment maintained their experiences of a strong WA with their case manager, while those participants who were transferred to TAU experiences a lower degree of WA with their case manager compared to their time in SEI treatment. Furthermore, the participants who increased on their cognitive functioning were less likely to assess WA positively if they were transferred to TAU.
Highlights
We developed a smartphone-based personalised technology to monitor symptoms in real time and showed good acceptability, reliability and validity for active remote monitoring of symptoms in previous published studies
We report a randomised trial testing its efficacy in improving psychotic symptom control, and its potential as an early warning system for relapse when embedded into the ICT systems of mental health provider organisations, and as a tool for identifying new phenotypes for precision medicine
Eligible participants with a DSM5 diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders and a history of relapse within the previous two years were included from an early intervention team and a community team
Summary
Comprehensive early treatment programs for individuals with early psychosis have demonstrated success internationally, spurring rapid expansion of the model in the United States. Methods: Employment and education trajectories were assessed for individuals with early psychosis who had at least one three-month follow-up assessment, from the program’s inception in October 2013, through September 2016 (N=325). A Kaplan-Meier estimator with discrete time to event and censoring at last observed follow-up month with no event was used to estimate the probability of any education/employment by one year after admission and to estimate the risk of disability by two years after admission. Results: Approximately 40% of individuals with early psychosis were engaged in school or work upon enrollment in a CSC program; engagement increased to 80% after 6 months of care. Discussion: This study demonstrates that individuals with early psychosis who receive CSC in non-research community settings achieve significant improvements in education and employment. Race/ethnicity, and baseline education predicted education and employment outcomes, while poorer functioning was associated with risk of SSA disability benefits. CSC teams should make particular efforts to support the work and school goals of individuals who may be more likely to struggle in achieving engagement in work and school
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