title: Going beyond: an adventure- and recreation-based group intervention promotes well-being and weight loss in schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To undertake a preliminary study to assess the feasibility of clinical implementation and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel adventure- and recreation-based group intervention in the rehabilitation of individuals with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 2-year, prospective, case-control study, 23 consecutively referred, clinically stabilized schizophrenia patients received the new intervention over an 8-month period; 31 patients on the wait list, considered the control group, received standard clinical care that included some recreational activities. Symptom severity, self-esteem, self-appraised cognitive abilities, and functioning were documented for both groups with standardized rating scales administered at baseline, on completion of treatment, and at 12 months posttreatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment adherence was 97%, and there were no dropouts. Patients in the study group showed marginal improvement in perceived cognitive abilities and on domain-specific functioning measures but experienced a significant improvement in their self-esteem and global functioning (P < 0.05), as well as a weight loss of over 12 lb. Improvement was sustained over 1 year with further occupational and social gains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the context of overcoming barriers to providing early intervention for youth and preventing metabolic problems among older adults with schizophrenia, adventure- and recreation-based interventions could play a useful complementary role.
authors.affiliation: St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario. panth@voruganti.net
authors.forename: Lakshmi N P
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Voruganti
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whatham
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bard
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Babbey
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Suganya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Duncan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: MacCrimmon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011998:Recreation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss