SELF HEALTH IN SCHIZOPHRENIA POPULATIONS: It's Subjective Determinants and Possible Use as a Screening Tool for Predictor of Health in This Population

Abstract

intervention and massage. A 90 minute teaching session was used to train nursing home staff on management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, in Deudon et al. Another staff intervention, including increased daytime patient physical activity and limited nighttime nursing care, resulted in overall reduction in agitation (Alessi et al., 1999). Three studies used forms of therapeutic touch as the intervention, including two methods of assistance with bathing (Sloan et al., 2004), therapeutic touch administered between 5-7 minutes daily for three days (Woods et al., 2005) and 30-40 minutes over 5 days (Hawranik et al., 2008). Aromatherapy using lemon balm oil, applied to the face and arms, showed positive results. (Ballard et al., 2002). Psychosocial based, patient specific interventions were used in three studies. These interventions targeted balancing high and low arousal states (Kovach et al., 2004), addressing hypothesized unmet patient needs (Cohen-Mansfield et al., 2012), and creating a personalized one-on-one Montessori activity treatment plan (van der Ploeg et al., 2013). The combination of therapeutic touch using acupressure and psychosocial interventions using Montessori activities was implemented in a cross over design (Lin et al., 2009). Familiar music played in a group setting, with encouragement to shadow gentle movements, was beneficial in Sun, et al. Listening to familiar music and the recorded voice of both family members and unknown people (Garland et al., 2007), as well as familiar music and massage (Remington, 2002) accounted for significant reduction in agitation. Conclusions: We review thirteen studies meeting our criteria that demonstrate reduction in agitation using various nonpharmacologic strategies. Of these, the patient specific intervention studies that address unmet needs have demonstrated the strongest evidence, as they have been replicated, with a relatively large sample size. Although there are limitations to many such studies, particularly the small sample sizes, insufficient follow-up, and few replications, this area of research allows for the generation of innovative treatment interventions. Safe, effective and practical nonpharmacologic strategies that can potentially reduce reliance on psychotropic medications are increasingly relevant, as the population ages and more patients transition to nursing homes.