Effectiveness of a volunteer befriending programme for patients with schizophrenia: randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Befriending by volunteers has the potential to reduce the frequent social isolation of patients with schizophrenia and thus improve health outcomes. However, trial-based evidence for its effectiveness is limited.

Aims

To conduct a randomised controlled trial of befriending for patients with schizophrenia or related disorders.

Method

Patients were randomised to a befriending programme for 1 year or to receive information about social activities only (trial registration: ISRCTN14021839). Outcomes were assessed masked to allocation at the end of the programme; at 12 months and at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was daily time spent in activities (using the Time Use Survey (TUS)) with intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

A total of 124 patients

SUBMITTER: Priebe S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7116000 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature