ISSN:
1433-9285
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Depot fluphenazine decanoate and oral pimozide drug treatments were compared in 36 schizophrenic outpatients over one year in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, utilising a “double dummy” design. Analysis of Social Behaviour Assessment Schedule (SBAS) data from the pretrial and end-of-study assessments revealed no significant advantage for either of the drug treatments. However, social performance had improved in both groups over the trial period and this was associated with some relief of related “distress” in the patients' relatives and friends. The most prevalent disturbed behaviours in the sample reflected the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and showed no change over the year. These disturbed behaviours were much in evidence and were associated with a relatively high level of distress in the patients' relatives and friends. These findings suggest that the maintenance therapy of schizophrenic patients, with either depot fluphenazine or oral pimozide, by controlling psychotic symptoms and providing a period of illness stability, may allow a natural process of gradual recovery of social functioning to take place.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00583530
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