Education for men with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy and their spouses

The majority of the participants experienced the 1-day information as useful and relevant. The 10-week group sessions were rated as meaningful and the design, number, duration and frequency of the sessions equally good. Self-reported symptoms, social network and mastery were measured before the group sessions, and 3 and 9 months after breaking up the group sessions. In most measurements, there were no statistically significant differences between the three points in time. However, the wives improved more than did the patients but the effect was not lasting the whole follow-up period. Considering the patients' dependence on their wives, it might be most important that the wives experienced some relief from their own symptoms.