Unfinished business: Functional outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of a three-year extension of early intervention versus regular care following two years of early intervention for psychosis

Objective To investigate whether first-episode psychosis patients receiving extended early intervention had better functional outcomes than those in regular care and to examine the predictors of functional outcomes. Methods This is a randomized controlled single-blind trial of 220 patients randomized after 2 years of early intervention to receive early intervention or regular care for the subsequent 3 years. Outcomes included cumulative time in functional recovery during the 3-year trial assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS); and employment/education at last assessment which were, respectively, analyzed using multiple linear regression and logistic regression, accounting for well-known predictors. Linear mixed and generalized linear models were also used to examine the course of SOFAS and employment/education over the 3-year period. Results The extended early intervention and regular care groups did not differ on time in functional recovery (mean = 50.17 weeks, SD = 46.62 vs. mean = 46.18 weeks, SD = 51.54); percent employed/in school (60.4% vs. 68.8%) or change in SOFAS or employment/education status over time. SOFAS scores were stable between years 2 and 5. Individuals with longer periods of total symptom remission experienced significantly longer periods of functional recovery and were likelier to be employed/in school. Those who had completed high school were nine times likelier to be employed/studying. Conclusion Most individuals maintained functional gains accrued from 2 years of early intervention with no further improvement whether in extended early intervention or regular care. There was a gap between symptomatic and functional recovery, and one-third were unemployed/not in school at year 5. The lack of additional progress even in extended early intervention suggests that specific interventions addressing functional roles need to be provided beyond the first 2 years of early intervention. Sustaining symptom remission and high-school completion may be additional avenues for targeting functional recovery.

Automated summary

The study found that there was no significant difference in functional recovery between patients receiving extended early intervention or regular care after 2 years of early psychosis intervention. Longer periods of symptom remission and high school completion were positively associated with functional recovery, but one-third of patients were still unemployed or not in school at year 5. The lack of additional progress even in extended early intervention suggests the need for specific interventions targeting functional roles beyond the initial 2-year period.