The Effect of a Psycho-Educational Program on Psychiatric Symptoms, Drug Attitude and Treatment Satisfaction of Patients with Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a Comprehensive Psycho-Educational Approach and Scheme Set (COMPASS) for patients with schizophrenia who were treated with risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI), on their psychiatric symptoms, drug attitudes, and treatment satisfaction levels. Participants were sixty-five patients at thirteen hospitals in Japan who met ICD-10 F2 criteria for schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder and were treated with RLAI. A correlational study design was used to measure the effect of the COMPASS on the psychiatric symptoms, drug attitudes, and treatment satisfaction levels of patients treated with RLAI. Using the following evaluation indicators: The Subjective Satisfaction to Treatment Scale (SSTS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS), and Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), measurements were taken at the beginning of the program (baseline), at the end of the program, and six months after (endpoint). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Significant differences were observed in BPRS total (p < 0.001), sub-scales of BPRS positive (p < 0.001), BPRS negative (p < 0.01), BPRS affective (p < 0.01), and GAF (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant change in subscale of BPRS manic, DAI-10, DIEPSS, or SSTS but significant positive correlations were found between SSTS and DAI-10 and GAF at baseline;a negative correlation was found between SSTS and BPRS. The findings of the study suggested the benefit of using the COMPASS in conjunction with RLAI to decrease patients’ psychiatric symptomatology and improve treatment satisfaction. In addition, patient satisfaction was found to be an important factor to be considered by the psychiatrist.

The Effect of a Psycho-Educational Intervention on Quality of Life of Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Objective: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy commonly experience depression and anxiety, which, along with adverse effects of chemotherapy, inevitably compromise quality of life (QOL) of the patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a psycho-educational intervention on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Two hundred in-patients with unresectable advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Shanxi Cancer Hospital from January to October 2013 were randomized into the intervention group (n = 100) and the control group (n = 100). Patients in the intervention group received a purposely designed and nurse-delivered psycho-educational intervention in addition to routine caring and chemotherapy, whereas those in the control group underwent chemotherapy and routine caring only. QOL of patients was assessed according to QOL instrument for lung cancer (QLICP-LU). The impact of the psycho-educational intervention on QOL was analyzed using independent-sample t test and χ2 test. Results: The psychological, physical, and social function, and the overall QOL scores were significantly improved in patients who received the psycho-educational intervention compared with those in the control group. Conclusions: A nurse-delivered psycho-educational intervention is a useful strategy to improve QOL of patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Depressive Disorders Among Women Living in Resource Poor,Northern Kenya:The Role of Psycho-education

This paper highlights the findings of a dissertation research which aimed to determine the effectiveness of a model of psycho-education(PE)developed for this study,in treating the symptoms of depressive disorders among Maasai women living in resource poor settings in Laikipia County,in Northern Kenya.The quasi-experimental research design with an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG)was adopted for this study.The target population for this study were 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)operating in the area.A sample size of 200 was selected for the study;(EG,n=100)and(CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The tool used to test for symptoms of depression was the Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI).The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The prevalence of depression was established at 26.7%and statistical tests conducted throughout the studies showed that the PE treatment significantly improved depression symptoms(P<0.005).Data from the(CG)showed that if these symptoms were not treated using,they degenerated into severe symptoms.Data was analysed using SPSS Version 21.0.

Impact of Relaxation and Group Psycho-Education on Health Outcomes Using Integrated Care Models and Quality Improvement

The purpose of this Integrated Care Practice Change and Quality Improvement (ICPCQI) initiative was to evaluate the impact of wellness and relaxation and group psycho-education on health out-comes in an integrated care setting. Individuals diagnosed with mental illness and a co-occurring chronic medical condition participated in the ICPCQI initiatives which were run by peer support and wellness experts in an integrated care setting over the one-year project implementation period. Evaluation of outcome measures revealed an overall decline of 8.3% (p < 0.0001) and 7.3% (p < 0.0001) in the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. There was a 12.3% (p = 0.02) reduction on the average PHQ-9 scores. GAD-7 (p = 0.9) scores had a mean reduction of 1.5%. These preliminary results suggest that the evidence-based ICPCQI initiatives positively impact health outcomes among individuals with mental illness and chronic medical conditions.

MINPSi:A Psychoeducative Tool

The tool presented is an alternative, empiric and analytic method based on the experience and the PDI’s. Its versatility allows being adapted to the Clinical and Educational Psychology. The objective to give access to all people a friendly-user tool with a touch screen that stimulates and catches the attention, enabling to teach knowledge, skills and values. It is divided in 2 complementary and interdependent parts. On one hand, the mixed contents are found in the Digital Boards (interactive and dynamic) structured in sessions that are combined into an entire psycho-educational program. This program facilitates the comprehension, acquisition and practice of the learning object. On the other hand, the process and the instructions of the material are described by a script which contributes to a better attitude that attracts the participants and stimulates to keep on learning. The efficiency and value of the methodology is evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the learning process, showing quantitative features in graphs and a weekly field study gathering the qualitative data. The Average improves significantly in every group, apart from the program that was used (Emotional Skills, Self-esteem, attention, Sexuality, Self-control, Problem-solving) and also in every individual according to the specific target of every subject. The application of this tool enables to diversify the knowledge to every area of the Psychology. In this sense, experts and participants enjoy the Education interactively in a recreational way reinforcing the Emotional and Social Intelligence.