Effects of program characteristics on treatment outcome: an interrupted time-series analysis.

The methodological difficulties in comparing the effectiveness of alternative alcoholism treatment programs were addressed. An interrupted time-series design and MMPI scores were employed with 408 men veterans to test the effectiveness of four changes in an 8-week inpatient alcoholism treatment program: The program was given its own ward; the amount of time patients spent in common activities was increased; the staff: patient ratio was improved; and contract with the outside community was broadened. The scores of MMPI tests administered at treatment termination were available for the periods of 3 yr prior to and 3 yr after the change.