Illness management group programmes providing information and coping strategies for clients and their relatives have gained importance in Europe.

At the Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy LMU Munich three cognitive-psychoeducational treatment programmes in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression were implemented and evaluated. Randomised controlled trials with two year follow-up were to evaluate programmes in schizophrenia and in major depression.

196 clients with schizophrenia were randomised to Coping-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (COP) or Supportive Therapy (SUP). Psychopathological Symptoms (BPRS-E), Psychosocial Functioing (GAF), Knowledge about Psychosis and its treatment, Illnesss concepts, and Cognitive Functioning were assessed.

Participants in COP showed higher gains in knowledge compared to SUP from pre- to post-treatment. At two year follow-up there were no significant differerences between the groups in relapse rates, however compared to other studies the rates were promising.