There is some empirical evidence that Ml can effectively increase insight and
treatment compliance in schizophrenia. In a randomized controlled trial using a
compliance therapy very similar to Ml,47 psychotic in patients showed significant improvements (Kemp et al., 1996). On average the intervention consisted of five sessions, twice a week with individual sessions including discussion of medication's benefits and disadvantages,developing discrepancy between a person's actions and heiiefs and supporting self-efficacy Compliance was measured on a seven-point scale from complete refusal to active participation in treatment.
Insight was rated by an expanded version of the Schedule for Assessment of
Insight (David. 1990). Participants of the compliance therapy group were significantly more compliant and showed more insight than the control group. These differences remained significant over 18-month-follow-up (Kemp et al.,1998). In addition, the therapy group had a significantly longer time to readmission.
In another clinical trial. .MI was applied among 121 psychiatric inpatients to increase
outpatient treatment adherence after discharge (Swanson et al., 1999).Participants received either standard treatment or standard treatment plus Ml, Individuals in the therapy group were significantly more likely to attend their first outpatient appointment after discharge. However, only a few participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia: so results must he considered cautiously.