Implementing the illness management and recovery program in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the feasibility and outcomes of the illness management and recovery program in Japan.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with schizophrenia were recruited. Participants were assigned (not randomly) to the intervention and wait-list comparison groups. Symptom severity, functioning, activation level in self-management, quality of life, satisfaction, self-efficacy in community living, and satisfaction with services were measured before and after the intervention.


RESULTS
Over two years 25 patients completed the intervention (some after being wait-listed). In the pre-post comparison, they showed significant improvement in symptoms and functioning, self-reported activation in self-management, quality of life, satisfaction, and self-efficacy in community living. Compared with the ten participants in a wait-list comparison group, the eight participants in the first intervention group showed an increased quality of life in social functioning, satisfaction in living, and self-efficacy for social relationships in community living.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that the program is effective for participants with severe mental illness in Japan.
Division of Clinical Psychology, Yokohama City University Hospital, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawaku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan. efujita@yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Emi
E
Fujita
Daiji
D
Kato
Eri
E
Kuno
Yuriko
Y
Suzuki
Shigeki
S
Uchiyama
Atsuhiko
A
Watanabe
Kumi
K
Uehara
Asuka
A
Yoshimi
Yoshio
Y
Hirayasu
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome