Abstract
BackgroundThe majority of patients with schizophrenia live with their relatives in Pakistan, thereby families experience a considerable burden. We aimed to study the impact of psychoeducation on the burden of schizophrenia on the family in a randomised controlled trial.MethodsA total of 108 patients with schizophrenia and their family members from the outpatient department of a teaching hospital in Lahore, Pakistan were randomised. Both groups received psychotropic drugs but one group received psychoeducation in addition. Family burden was assessed at the time of recruitment and at 6 months post intervention.ResultsIn all, 99 patients and their relatives completed the treatment. There was significant reduction in burden at post-intervention assessment in the psychoeducation group based on intention to treat analysis.ConclusionFamily psychoeducation can be an important intervention for patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan.
Highlights
There is considerable research evidence on the high levels of financial burden, strain and distress related to caring for an ill family member [1,2,3]
Family psychoeducation can be an important intervention for patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan
The objective burden included the effects on finance, health, routine and leisure of the family, while the subjective burden was the perception of the adverse effects of illness
Summary
There is considerable research evidence on the high levels of financial burden, strain and distress related to caring for an ill family member [1,2,3]. Families incur costs in terms of psychological strain, social isolation and other practical burdens [4,5,6]. Financial difficulties and social stigma taken together are referred to as family burden. The course of the patient's disorder is influenced by the burden and the way families cope with it [8]. The majority of patients with schizophrenia live with their relatives in Pakistan, thereby families experience a considerable burden. We aimed to study the impact of psychoeducation on the burden of schizophrenia on the family in a randomised controlled trial
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