Role of Executive Function in Response to a Problem Solving Based Psychoeducational Intervention in Adolescents with Psychosis: The PIENSA Trial Revisited.

An improvement in negative symptoms and a reduction in the number of visits to the emergency department have been reported in a problem solving based psychoeducational group intervention (PE) for adolescents with psychosis relative to a nonstructured group (NS). One of the factors that may play a role on the response to PE treatment is executive function (EF), a crucial cognitive domain for problem-solving performance. We aimed to examine the role of EF in response to PE treatment versus an NS group.

Psychoeducational Group Intervention for Adolescents With Psychosis and Their Families: A Two-Year Follow-Up.

Objective: To investigate whether the beneficial effects of a structured, psychoeducational, parallel-group program for adolescents with early-onset psychosis and their families observed immediately after the intervention were maintained 2 years later.

Method: The present study examines the longitudinal efficacy of a randomized controlled trial based on a psychoeducational, problem-solving, structured group intervention for adolescents with early-onset psychosis and their families (PE) and compares it with that of a nonstructured group intervention (NS) after a 2-year follow-up. We analyzed whether the differences between PE and NS found after the intervention persisted 2 years later.

Intervention for adolescents with early-onset psychosis and their families: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The present study aims to assess the efficacy of a structured psychoeducational group intervention for adolescents with early-onset psychosis and their families. The intervention was implemented in parallel in 2 separate groups by focusing specifically on problem-solving strategies and structured psychosis-related information to manage daily life difficulties associated with the disease, to mitigate crises, and to prevent relapses.

Method: We performed a 9-month, randomized, rater-blinded clinical trial involving 55 adolescent patients with early-onset psychosis and either or both of their parents.

Cognitive efficacy of quetiapine and olanzapine in early-onset first-episode psychosis.

The primary purpose of this study was to compare changes in cognition in early-onset psychosis after 6-months treatment with quetiapine or olanzapine. This is a randomized, single-blind, 6-month study in 50 adolescents with a diagnosis of early-onset psychosis. Patients were randomized to quetiapine (n = 24) or olanzapine (n =26).

Olanzapine compared to quetiapine in adolescents with a first psychotic episode.

Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of olanzapine and quetiapine in adolescents with first episode psychosis.

Method: Fifty adolescents (age 16 +/- 1.25) with a first episode of psychosis were randomized to quetiapine or olanzapine in a 6-month open label study.

Attitude toward antipsychotic medication as a predictor of antipsychotic treatment discontinuation in first-episode early-onset psychosis.

Background: Antipsychotic drug discontinuation is a key risk factor in psychotic relapses. Clinical relapse is related to poor outcome, especially in the earlier stages of psychotic illness. The attitude toward treatment during the acute phase of a first episode of psychosis has been proposed as one of the main determinants of treatment discontinuation.

Neurological soft signs in adolescents with first episode psychosis: two-year followup.

Neurological soft signs were assessed in 24 first episodes of early onset psychosis and 30 healthy adolescents over a 2-year period. Patients presented more neurological soft signs than controls and showed a significant decrease in some Neurological Evaluation Scale scores over the followup period. This decrease in the patient group was influenced by changes in symptomatology.

Metabolic and hormonal side effects in children and adolescents treated with second-generation antipsychotics.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic and hormonal side effects in children and adolescents after 6 months of treatment with 3 different second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs).

Method: 66 children and adolescents (44 male [66.7%], mean +/- SD age = 15.

Antipsychotic-related abnormal involuntary movements and metabolic and endocrine side effects in children and adolescents.

There has been a remarkable increase in prescription rates of antipsychotics in children and adolescents in recent years. Their side effects are a neglected area of research in this population, despite its vulnerability. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the presence of side effects in 60 children and adolescents who had taken antipsychotic medication for less than 1 month and 66 who had been receiving treatment with antipsychotics for more than 12 months.

Improving quality at the hospital psychiatric ward level through the use of the EFQM model.

Objective: To describe the implementation of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model as a quality framework for improving a psychiatric hospital ward. METHODOGY: Two self-assessments were conducted using the EFQM model. The self-assessment methods combined two approaches proposed by the EFQM: the award simulation approach and the questionnaire approach.

The child and adolescent first-episode psychosis study (CAFEPS): design and baseline results.

Objective: The child and adolescent first-episode psychosis study (CAFEPS) is a multicenter, two-year, longitudinal project aiming to evaluate different clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, biochemical, immunological, and genetic variables and treatment and prognostic factors in these patients. This paper describes the methods and rationale behind the study and the general characteristics of the sample.

Method: At six different centers, from March 2003 through November 2005, we consecutively recruited 110 patients, ages 9-17 years, who presented with a first psychotic episode.

Neurological soft signs in adolescents with first episode psychosis.

The purpose of this study is to determine the decrease of neurological soft signs (NSS) during adolescence and to compare this evolutionary process in two groups of adolescents with first episode psychosis: a) schizophrenia and b) non-schizophrenia patients. The structured neurological evaluation scale (NES) was administered to 24 adolescents with first episode psychosis. The number of NSS, the total and subscales scores were correlated with age in patients and in 39 healthy controls.