Participants (N=110) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders were enrolled in a study to evaluate the effectiveness of family-supervised treatment on improving treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. The STOPS intervention, which utilized a family member to supervise medication administration, was compared to treatment as usual (TAU) and followed up for 1 year.
- STOPS was defined as supervised treatment in outpatients for schizophrenia.
Participants in the STOPS group had better treatment adherence (primary outcome measure), 67.3%, vs 45.5% in TAU group (P<0.02).
PANSS for schizophrenia and GAF scores were also significantly improved (data presented on slide).
- Analysis was carried out using repeated measures ANCOVA.
Reference:
Farooq S, Nazar Z, Irfan M, et al. Schizophrenia medication adherence in a resource-poor setting: randomised controlled trial of supervised treatment in out-patients for schizophrenia (STOPS). Br J Psychiatry. 2011; 199(6): 467-472.