The impact of work-related rehabilitation on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia

In a cross-sectional study of 60 outpatients with schizophrenia (mean age 3 6.3 +/- 11.1)the effect of a work-related rehabilitation programme on the p atients' quality of life was investigated. A group of patients with the sam e diagnosis, but without rehabilitation, served as controls. Patients of th e rehabilitation group had been attending the programme for a mean duration of 15.0 months. The programme focuses on occupational and everyday skills and also involves social aspects. The patients' quality of life was assesse d using two self-administered questionnaires: the Munich List of Life Dimen sions (MLDL, Heinisch et al. 1991) and the Everyday Life Questionnaire (Bul linger et al. 1993). Life satisfaction as well as functional quality of lif e were higher in the rehabilitation group in the majority of domains assess ed. Difference between groups was highest for satisfaction with work, follo wed by leisure-time activities. independence and friendships/acquaintances. Results indicate that the rehabilitation programme acts like a "lever'' wh ich, applied to one point (work, day structuring), subsequently affects mos t domains of daily living.