The “Reggio Emilia At-Risk Mental States” (ReARMS) project: 2-year follow-up results of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy in Ultra-High Risk individuals.
Poster C7, Wednesday, October%2010, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Andrea Raballo1, Lorenzo Pelizza2, Michele Poletti2, Silvia Azzali2, Federica Paterlini2, Ilaria Scazza2, Sara Garlassi2, Michela Fabiani2, Francesca Fontana2, Rosanna Favazzo2, Veronica Barbanti Silva2, Enrico Semrov2; 1Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, 2Reggio Emilia Public Health Care Service, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Objective - Several studies had shown the effectiveness of combined interventions (i.e. cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT] + Pharmacotherapy) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) (NICE, 2004). More controversial are the evidence about the stability of therapeutic outcomes in Ultra-High Risk (UHR) individuals (Raballo, 2015). CBT, adapted for UHR subjects, appeared to be effective at 18 months follow-up, with a risk reduction of about 50% (van der Gaag, 2017). Aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT in UHR adolescents attending to neuropsychiatry services in the Reggio Emilia Department of Mental Health (Italy). Methods- The “Reggio Emilia At-Risk Mental States” (ReARMS) project is an early detection/intervention infrastructure for UHR subjects that provides (1) a phase-specific individual CBT, (2) a family psychoeducation, and (3) a case management oriented to early recovery. In the present study, we focused on a subgroup of UHR individuals (n=40), aged 13-18 years, who only received individual CBT. This is the first structured program of early detection/intervention for adolescents at UHR in Italy. Results – After 24-month follow-up period, UHR subjects showed significant improvements in both psychotic symptoms (i.e. PANSS Positive Symptoms [median: 10 vs 16; p<0.001], Negative Symptoms [median: 12 vs 19; p<0.001], and General Psychopathology [median: 24 vs 37; p<0.001]) and daily functioning (measured by the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale [SOFAS] [median: 65 vs 45; p<0.001]). Conclusions - Although our sample is still relatively small to draw definitive conclusions, it is emerging good clinical and functional outcomes for UHR adolescents receiving CBT within ReARMS project.
Topic Area: Psychosocial Interventions