Occupational therapy for inpatients with chronic schizophrenia: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: People with schizophrenia tend to experience difficulties in social and cognitive function, self-care, residual negative symptoms, high rates of unemployment, and social exclusion. Occupational therapy has contributed to the treatment and rehabilitation of people with severe mental health problems. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of occupational therapy on symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This survey was an experimental study in which positive and negative symptoms of patients with schizophrenia were assessed with a scale for the assessment of positive and negative symptoms (SANS, SAPS, respectively). The study was conducted in Sina Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran. The samples consisted of patients with schizophrenia who were divided randomly into intervention and usual treatment groups (30 patients in each group). The occupational therapy was performed in the intervention group for 18 h/week for 6 months. SANS and SAPS were assessed at the beginning and after 6 months of treatment. Results: The groups were homogeneous in demographic variables, SANS and SAPS scores at baseline. The occupational therapy group showed significant improvement in the total score for the SANS and SAPS at 6 months (P < 0.001), but the control group did not show any significant improvement. Conclusion:The results of this study indicated that occupational therapy combined with medications can improve the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Development of an Individualized Occupational Therapy Programme and its Effects on the Neurocognition, Symptoms and Social Functioning of Patients with Schizophrenia

“…Several studies have examined the effects of OT on patients with schizophrenia. Many of these reported that OT can improve symptoms, and combined interventions of OT and pharmacological treatment can more effectively improve symptoms than pharmacological treatment alone (Foruzandeh and Parvin, ; Hoshii et al, ). However, the effectiveness of OT for cognitive impairment in patients with acute schizophrenia has not been sufficiently verified.…”

Weekly and Holiday-Related Patterns of Panic Attacks in Panic Disorder: A Population-Based Study

“…The authors noted the need for temporal/longitudinal studies to investigate causality of the observed associations. Other authors have noted the beneficial effects of occupational therapy on psychological distress, dysfunctional symptoms and outcomes among schizophrenia patients [23], [24], and among community-dwelling adults with a mental health diagnosis [25]. It is possible that routine engagement in work during the work week may explain reduced potential PA admissions among PD patients.…”

Tratamiento con intervenciones psicosociales en la fase aguda y de mantenimiento del paciente adulto con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia

“…Síntomas: Se encontraron dos artículos que reportaron los resultados de ensayos clínicos controlados que evaluaron la eficacia de la terapia ocupacional para disminuir los sínto-mas en pacientes con esquizofrenia crónica que tenían larga estancia de hospitalización 11,12 . El primer artículo fue realizado en Japón 11 , con pacientes que tenían más de 10 años de enfermedad y que se habían rehusado a otros tratamientos psicosociales como educación y entrenamiento en habilidades sociales.…”

“…La terapia ocupacional se basa en la realización de diferentes actividades que le permiten al paciente experimentar con otros y comunicarse 11 . Esta intervención se basa en la ciencia ocupacional que postula que el estar comprometido en actividades significativas y satisfactorias contribuye a la salud en general y a la percepción de bienestar del paciente, como también a mejorar el funcionamiento y la inclusión sociales, las relaciones en el ambiente local y la autoestima 12,13 .…”