Relapse Prevention in First Episode Schizophrenia: a 5 Year Trial

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of specialised and sustained intervention with or without parent groups during the initial phase of schizophrenia or related disorders on relapse prevention Methods: A three conditions randomized trial with a duration of five years Participants: 200 consecutively referred patients aged 15-28 years with a first psychotic episode of schizophrenia or related disorder Treatment-conditions: Specialized Treatment of early schizophrenia (ST), ST including Parent groups (ST+P) and Treatment As Usual (TAU). Outcome-measures: cumulative relapse rates and time to first relapse after first remission. Secondary outcome measure: social functioning. Statistical analysis: cumulative relapse rates using life-table methods. The effect of the three interventions on time to first relapse after remission will be compared using Cox regression analysing intention to treat (ITT) grouping.