The effect of symptom self-management training on rehospitalization for chronic schizophrenia in Finland

Abstract

The effect of symptom self-management training (SSMT) was studied on several indices of quality of life, global functioning, and on the number and length of hospitalizations in patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia in Finland. It was hypothesized that less severe and disruptive relapses would result from the SSMT patients and their relatives being taught to recognize 'warning signs' that precede a psychotic episode and to contact medical staff before a full-blown psychosis commenced. The 29 patients receiving SSMT treatment did not significantly differ in quality of life or functioning from the 18 comparison patients. The number of hospitalizations, reflecting the number of relapses during the follow-up of 1-2 years, was not different between the treatment and comparison groups, either. However, the length of hospitalization per admission, reflecting the severity of relapses, was significantly shorter in SSMT patients.