Effectiveness of Positive Family Interactions Module on the Expressed Emotion of the Caregivers and Relapse of Patients with Schizophrenia in a Psychiatric In-patient Facility: A Pilot Study Report

Abstract

This randomized pilot study was aimed to determine whether the administration of the family intervention ‘Positive Family Interactions Module’ will be feasible and effective in reducing the expressed emotion of caregivers and relapse of patients with schizophrenia. The pilot study tested the trial design, and ability to recruit and deliver the intervention. Drop-out rates were assessed. The completion and acceptability of the intervention were investigated. The study also enlightened a sample measurement power calculation for an upcoming substantive randomized controlled trial. Five caregivers and their patients each were randomly assigned to Positive Family Interactions Module (experimental) group or Treatment As Usual (control) group. There was a significant reduction in the expressed emotion of the PFIM group compared to TAU group. All participants had completed the follow up in both the groups. Significant improvements over time were observed in both the groups of patients. Positive feasibility results suggest that the study should be conducted on a larger sample size.