title: The impact of a rehabilitation day centre program for persons suffering from schizophrenia on quality of life, social functioning and self-esteem.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Presently few studies demonstrate improved outcomes in patients with schizophrenia treated in day rehabilitation centres. One reason is the absence of an evidence based protocol for rehabilitation in such centres. Hence further research is required to assess whether such a protocol will improve psychosocial outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We performed a controlled evaluation study of a protocol based rehabilitation day program (RDC) for persons suffering from schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients from the experimental group (N=50) were treated within the RDC for a 6 month period. The control group were patients on the waiting list for the RDC. Quality of life (MANSA), social functioning (OSA) and self-esteem (Rosenberg) were measured before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvement was shown in social functioning measured by OSA (F(1,96)=33.7; p<0.001), quality of life measured by MANSA (F(1,96)=69.3; p<0.001) and self esteem measured by Rosenberg scale (F(1,96)=84.5; p<0.001) for patients treated in the RDC compared with the control group, conversely, the control group outcomes deteriorated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An evidence based protocol for rehabilitation within the RDC lead to improved social outcomes and recovery for persons suffering from schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Vrapče, Bolnička cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, sladjana.strkalj-ivezic@zg.t-com.hr.
authors.forename: Slađana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Štrkalj-Ivezić
authors.forename: Marijo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrdoljak
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mužinić
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome