Acceptability of Texting 4 Relapse Prevention, Text Messaging-Based Relapse Prevention Program for People With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder

We report process outcomes of the pilot randomized controlled trial of Texting 4 Relapse Prevention (T4RP), a text messaging-based relapse prevention program for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SAD). Forty people were randomized to either the intervention or treatment as usual control group at a 2:1 ratio. Process indicators were collected at 6 months post enrollment. Over 90% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that the text messages were easy to understand, easy to answer, positive, and helped them feel supported. Patient acceptability was positively associated with recovery (beta = 0.29, p = <0.001) and patient-provider communication scores (beta = 1.04, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with symptoms of the disorder (beta = -0.27, p = 0.07). Acceptability was similar by diagnosis (beta, SAD diagnosis = 0.40, p = 0.90) and age (beta = 0.05, p = 0.67). Findings suggest that a text messaging intervention aimed at preventing relapse is feasible and perceived as beneficial in individuals with schizophrenia and SAD. Future research might include a targeted study of T4RP within the context of hospital discharge when people with schizophrenia/SAD are at highest risk of relapse.