The impact of a lifestyle programme for people with psychotic disorders

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a lifestyle programme on people with psychotic disorders. This study used a quasi-experimental design was conducted on 80 adult psychotic patients were included and selected from the psychiatric outpatient clinic (Psychiatric mental health center, ain shams university hospital). Patients were randomized according to the modality of intervention into two equal groups (each includes 40 patients), experimental (group E) and control (group C) groups. Patients in both groups were subjected to the routine treatment regimen according to the individualized medical diagnosis. Patients in experimental group were subjected to the psychiatric nursing intervention model to modify their lifestyle. Tools of data collection: Data were collected using an interview questionnaire adopted from the quality of life scale, and a brief psychiatric rating scale. Patients in both groups were assessed before and after intervention. Results: Experimental group patients showed significant improvement in their physical indicators and reduction of severity of their psychotic features. Conclusion: lifestyles programme when incorporated in the plan of care for people with psychotic disorders can be effective in improving patients' prognosis. Recommendations: A variety of lifestyle modifications exist that have appropriate potential front-line clinical application alongside pharmacotherapies to better manage psychosis. While the judicious use of medication is still advocated, due to the complexity of human illness/well-being, the time has come for a more integrative approach for psychosis, and the acknowledgement of the potential applicability of lifestyle modification.