Extended Specialized Assertive Intervention for First Episode Psychosis

The Danish OPUS I trial succeeded in randomizing 547 patients with first-episode psychosis to a two-year specialized intensive treatment program (OPUS) or standard treatment. The results clearly favored OPUS treatment, and psychotic and negative symptoms, substance abuse, adherence to treatment, use of anti-psychotic medication, user satisfaction, and use of bed days were better in OPUS compared to standard treatment. However, the five-year follow-up, three years after patients from OPUS were transferred to standard treatment, showed that the positive clinical effects were not sustained, when the intensive treatment was terminated, except from OPUS-patients being less likely to stay in institutions than patients who received standard care. Objective: The aim in OPUS II trial is to compare the effect of five-years versus two-years specialized assertive intervention program (OPUS-treatment) for first episode psychosis on clinical symptoms, substance abuse, institutionalization, and labor market affiliation. Hypothesis: It is possible to maintain the positive results of the intensive two-year intervention in another three years for those who keep receiving the specialized assertive intervention program. Design: Open label randomized clinical trial. Setting: Psychiatric Center Bispebjerg and Center for Psychiatric Research Aarhus, Denmark.Participants: 400 patients with first episode of schizophrenia spectrum disorder received treatment in one of the six OPUS - teams for 1½ years. Intervention: Another 3½ years OPUS-treatment versus ½ year OPUS-treatment and thereafter referral to standard treatment. The extended OPUS treatment consist modified assertive case management, rational pharmacotherapy, family psycho-educational intervention, group interventions to aid with recovery, social skills training, cognitive behavior therapy when indicated, and crisis intervention. OPUS-treatment is tailored to meet the individual patient's needs.