OBJECTIVE: The long-term effects of a combination of clozapine and
psychosocial treatment were evaluated in a sample of treatment- refractory
state hospital patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A repeated-measure
design was used. Thirty-one patients with schizophrenia received both
clozapine and an enhanced psychosocial treatment program. Data were
collected at baseline and at one-year, two- year, and three-year
follow-ups. Psychiatric symptoms, cognitive functioning, dyskinetic
movements, and discharge rate were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant
reductions in psychiatric symptoms and improvement in cognitive functioning
were found. Differences in the pattern of reductions in positive and
negative symptoms over the course of the study were noted. The majority of
subjects improved sufficiently to be discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Clozapine,
when combined with psychosocial treatment, is effective for treatment of
patients with schizophrenia who are not responsive to other
medications.
Abstract Teaser