We examined the effects of chlorpromazine and major role therapy (MRT) on the quality of community adjustment of schizophrenic patients during a two-year period following hospital discharge.
Among patients in the community, those treated with combined drug and sociotherapy adjust better than those taking the drug alone; to a greater extent, those receiving placebo alone adjust better than those receiving placebo and sociotherapy. However, only 20% of those in the placebo group have not relapsed after two years while the comparable percentage for the drug group is 52%.
Effects found on assessments made by psychiatrists, social workers, family ratings, and self-reports replicate at three clinics.
Maximum restorative benefits require both maintenance phenothiazine and psychologic treatment continued for beyond a single year following hospital discharge.