WORK THERAPY FOR SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS - RESULTS OF A 3-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY IN GERMANY

Work therapy is a widespread form of socio-therapy, In contrast to pha rmacological and somatic forms of treatment, proof of efficacy is diff icult to produce in multimodal therapy of schizophrenic patients on ac count of the many methodological problems involved. Within the framewo rk of an extensive study on the vocational rehabilitation of mentally ill patients, we carried out a naturalistic follow-up study of 83 schi zophrenic patients attending outpatient work therapy. The sample, whic h comprised 44 men and 38 women with a mean age of 35 years (+/- 8.5 y ears), can be seen as regionally representative, The courses of illnes s and rehabilitation were documented prospectively at annual follow-up s over a 3-year period. Most of the probands were chronically mentally ill patients: with a history of frequent and long-term hospitalisatio n. At the end of the 3-year period, 22% of the patients were integrate d into the open labour market, 26% were working III sheltered employme nt, 23% were still in work therapy, and 29% were unemployed. Two-third s had achieved their stated rehabilitation objectives. The 3-year reha bilitation outcome was strongly dependent on the patients' subjective expectations. Other factors proving to be predictors of successful reh abilitation were less pronounced psychopathological symptoms (ADMP), b etter social functioning (GAS), a higher level of education and an ear ly introduction to work therapy. Work therapy appears to have a favour able impact on hospitalisation rates.