Objective: This study investigates the effects of probationary work for psy
chiatric patients in community-based small businesses during their inpatien
t or day care. Methods: Patients were evaluated for working capacity, psych
opathology, motivation for work and patient satisfaction (n=69), Results: T
he results confirm a high degree of acceptance of this approach as well as
significant improvements on various clinical scales such as the Brief Psych
iatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Global
Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), choice reaction time (Wiener Determ
inations-gerat, WDG), attention (Revisionstest) and self-rating of work-rel
evant skills. Conclusions: This approach, with its complex demand character
istics. may be an effective alternative to occupational therapy, at least f
or small therapeutic units.