An Experience of a Clubhouse run by Families and Volunteers for Schizophrenia Rehabilitation
Yildiz, M.; Tural, U.; Kurdoğlu, S.; Emin Onder, M.
Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi 14(4): 281-287
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1300-2163 PMID: 14704930 Document Number: 564290
To test the efficacy of a non-governmental psychosocial rehabilitation program (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Clubhouse), which was developed by the authors and thought to be easy to put into practice for patients with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia (n: 14) were serviced at "Izmit Our Garden Solidarity Foundation of Families of Patients with Schizophrenia" for 8 months. Rehabilitation services were conducted wholly by families and volunteers, and run by a volunteer psychologist. Program included daily activities, cultural, leisure and social activities, one day in a week. Patients were assessed by using the Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANNS) at baseline and at the end of the study. All patients (n:14) completed the program with 73% mean presence in the activities. Increase of the social functioning and the good clinical outcome was observed in patients. The results of the scales were as follows: SFS at baseline 105.1+/-20.6, in the end 133.7+/-17.1, (p<0.001); GAS at baseline 53.4+/-10.5, in the end 66.0+/-8.1, (p<0.001); QLS at baseline 62.8+/-17.4, in the end 93.4+/-19.8, (p<0.001); and PANSS in the baseline 70.3+/-16.9, in the end 61.9+/-16.5, (p<0.002). Psychosocial clubhouse rehabilitation program run by patients' families and volunteers in a small foundation environment, which is the first trial in Turkey, has been carried out successfully.