EFFECTS OF SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING AND SOCIAL MILIEU TREATMENT ON SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Objective: The study compared the effects of social skills training an d social milieu treatment on symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly o n negative symptoms. Methods: Thirty-three patients aged 18 to 55 year s with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomly assigned to a nine-w eek program of social skills training or social milieu treatment. Pati ents were assessed at three-, six-, and nine-week intervals during tre atment and at follow-rep using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scal e (PANSS), which measured both positive and negative symptoms of schiz ophrenia and general psychopathology. Results: Fifteen patients comple ted social skills training, and 13 completed social milieu treatment. Comparison of PANSS scores at different assessment times showed that b oth treatments were effective in reducing symptoms, but social skills training appeared to be more effective in reducing negative symptoms, No differences were found between treatment groups in relapse rates or in symptom measures at three-month follow-up, However, six-month foll ow-up data available only for the social skills training group showed that improvement in negative symptoms had begun to decline. Conclusion s: Psychosocial approaches are a necessary component in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, and social skills training appears to be particularly helpful, The gradual decline in improvement in negativ e symptoms at six-month follow-up suggests the need for move extended treatment.