Integrating pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop principles of combining pharmacological and psychosocial treatment that can be useful for clinicians who are treating patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Research studies in schizophrenia that controlled both pharmacological and psychosocial treatments were reviewed. These included studies using conventional and newer antipsychotics as well as a number of psychosocial methods. RESULTS: The interactions between the forms of treatment appear to be more than merely additive, since each can enhance the effects of the other. Drug and psychosocial treatments may affect different outcome domains, with the former affecting symptoms and the later affecting social outcomes. Recent studies using newer antipsychotics suggest that these agents improve the participation of patients in psychosocial treatments. CONCLUSION: Understanding the interactions between psychosocial and pharmacological treatments can be useful for clinicians who are developing treatment strategies for patients with schizophrenia. Newer agents with different side-effect profiles and broader effectiveness appear to have improved the outcomes of psychosocial treatments.