ABSTRACT
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the improvement of schizophrenia is a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluvoxamine on the symptoms of schizophrenia including positive and negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, and quality of life. METHODS/PROCEDURES: This clinical trial was performed on 68 patients with chronic schizophrenia, treated with risperidone at 22 Bahman Hospital of Qazvin, Iran during 2015 to 2016. The patients were randomly divided into control and intervention groups (34 patients per group). The control group was treated with risperidone and biperiden, whereas the intervention group received fluvoxamine, besides risperidone, and biperiden. The participants completed the Wechsler Memory Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, and the findings were statistically analyzed at baseline and postintervention (8 and 10 weeks). FINDINGS/RESULTS: The mean ± SD Wechsler Memory Scale scores in the evaluated intervals (baseline, week 8, and week 10), respectively, were 70.58 ± 11.51, 70.76 ± 11.36, and 70.88 ± 11.40 in the control group and 74.76 ± 10.56, 77.76 ± 10.56, and 77.76 ± 10.73 in the intervention group (F = 126.73, P ≤ 0.001). The difference between the groups in terms of SANS and quality of life scores was significant in the specified intervals, SANS (F = 6.36, P = 0.004), and quality of life (F = 15.13, P ≤ 0.001). Nevertheless, no difference was observed in terms of Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms scores (P > 0.05). IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that risperidone augmentation with fluvoxamine could significantly improve cognitive impairments and negative symptoms among patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, this augmentation led to higher quality of life among these patients.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/pharmacology , Fluvoxamine/pharmacology , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Quality of Life , Risperidone/pharmacology , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/pharmacology , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage , Double-Blind Method , Drug Synergism , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Fluvoxamine/administration & dosage , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risperidone/administration & dosage , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Young AdultABSTRACT
Background: Drug users have lower emotional intelligence (EQ) than other members of society. This study aimed to determine the effect of EQ training on methadone-treated methamphetamine (meth) users. Methods: This randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted on methadone-treated meth users referring to the Drop-in Center in Qazvin, Iran. The subjects completed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and those who scored higher than 80 (n = 70) were entered into the study and randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (Bar-On EQ-i) was administered for both groups. Subsequently, the intervention group participated in weekly 90-minute EQ training sessions for 4 sessions held by a psychiatric assistant. However, the control group received no intervention. Both groups were re-evaluated by the Bar-On EQ-i 3 months after the end of the training sessions. Eventually, qualitative and quantitative variables were compared between the two groups using an independent t-test and chi-square test, respectively. Findings: Based on the results, the EQ training program could significantly improve the EQ score in the intervention group (P = 0.03). Nevertheless, it showed no effect on reducing meth use (P = 0.13). Conclusion: EQ training for meth users could increase EQ. Nonetheless, further studies with more effective methods are required to reduce meth use.