The Impact of a Pre-Vocational Program on Cognition, Symptoms, and Work Re-Integration in Schizophrenia

Abstract

This study measured the effects of a pre-vocational program on cognition, symptoms, and integration to work in schizophrenia. Twelve participants, receiving pharmacological treatment only, were compared to 14 participants, who were part of a pre-vocational program and who received pharmacological treatment on pre and post measures. The work skills training group was offered by an occupational therapist. Results showed statistically significant differences in negative and general symptoms, visual attention, learning, and integration to work when comparing the two groups in favor of the program. These results provide evidence of the positive effects of occupational therapy interventions in mental health.

KEYWORDS:

• pre-vocational rehabilitation
• schizophrenia
• vocational rehabilitation
• work

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Ms. Mariève Cossette for her statistical expertise. They also wish to thank Dr. Michael Bond, chief of the psychiatry department; Dr. Christopher Perry, director of the research division in psychiatry at the time of the study; and Mrs. Pearl Aronoff, clinical coordinator in occupational therapy psychiatry at the time of the study, at the Jewish General Hospital-Sir Mortimer B. Davis, for their support and assistance as well as the members of the psychosocial rehabilitation team; Ms. Christine Lason and Ms. Ingrid Menard for their cooperation and support.

Notes

^a As measured in number of years and collected on the data collection sheet.

^b As measured on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

∗p value p < 0.05 is considered statistically significant.

Mann-Whitney test (bilateral) p = 0.003∗, N = 26.

∗p < 0.05 value is considered statistically significant.

Funds for this study were provided by bursaries for graduate students from the “Faculté des Études Graduées et l'École de réadaptation de la Faculté de Médecine de l'Université de Montréal” and by the research division of the psychiatry department of the Jewish General Hospital-Sir Mortimer B. Davis, Montreal, Canada.