The effects of group-based cognitive behavioral therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic schizophrenia with more than two years of community-based mental health group rehabilitation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zheng, Shan-Shan^{a; b} | Zhang, Hui^b | Zhang, Man-Hua^b | Li, Xue^b | Chang, Kuo^b | Yang, Feng-Chi^{b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Community Health Service Center, West District of China Agricultural University, Beijing, China | [b] School of Medical Humanities, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Feng-Chi Yang, School of Medical Humanities, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing 100069, China. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that community-based group rehabilitation activities can have a positive impact on patients. OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to improve schizophrenia patients’ social and self-cognition through short-term group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT), break negative coping styles, and improve the patients’ quality of life. METHODS: The patients with schizophrenia who participated in long-term community-based group rehabilitation were treated with G-CBT. Training on coping styles was conducted to improve their self-cognition and social cognition, and the rehabilitation effects of G-CBT on these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patient scores for self-esteem, self-efficacy, and positive coping in the G-CBT group increased, while patient scores for negative coping decreased. Compared with the control group, the differences in the total scores for mental health and the five dimensions of physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning, and emotional role function in the short-form (SF-12) survey were statistically significant. Compared with the baseline data, the differences in self-esteem, self-efficacy, positive coping, negative coping, and quality of life scores were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Short-term G-CBT had a good effect on patients with chronic schizophrenia who participated in community-based group rehabilitation for the long-term.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, group-based cognitive behavioral therapy, community-based mental rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220904

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1911-1922, 2023