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PURPOSE: Community treatment orders (CTOs) are widely used internationally despite a lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. Most effectiveness studies are relatively short (12-months or less) and focus on clinical symptoms and service data, while a little attention is given to patients' social outcomes and broader welfare. We tested the association between the duration of CTO intervention and patients' long-term social outcomes. METHODS: A sub-sample (n = 114) of community-based patients from the Oxford Community Treatment Order Evaluation Trial (OCTET) were interviewed 48 months after randomisation. Multivariate regression models were used to examine the association between the duration of the CTO intervention and social outcomes as measured by the social network schedule, Objective Social Outcomes Index, Euro-Qol EQ-5D-3L (EQ-5D), and Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health. RESULTS: No significant association was found between the duration of CTO intervention and social network size (IRR = 0.996, p = .63), objective social outcomes (B = -0.003, p = .77), health-related quality of life (B = 0.001, p = .77), and capabilities (B = 0.046, p = .41). There were no between-group differences in social outcomes when outcomes were stratified by original arm of randomisation. Patients had a mean of 10.2 (SD = 5.9) contacts in their social networks, 42% of whom were relatives. CONCLUSIONS: CTO duration was not associated with improvements in patients' social outcomes even over the long term. This study adds to growing concerns about CTO effectiveness and the justification for their continued use.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00127-017-1442-5

Type

Journal article

Journal

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

Publication Date

11/2017

Volume

52

Pages

1375 - 1384

Keywords

Capabilities, OxCAP-MH, Health-related quality of life, Longitudinal, Objective social outcomes, Social networks, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Community Mental Health Services, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychotic Disorders, Quality of Life, Social Support, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult