Publication year: 2011
Source: The Arts in Psychotherapy, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 13 June 2011
Frank, Röhricht , Nina, Papadopoulos , Sarah, Holden , Tom, Clarke , Stefan, Priebe
Persistent negative symptoms are an ongoing challenge in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. Evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that arts/non-verbal therapies may be effective in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia. These treatments have not yet been evaluated in open clinical settings.The present uncontrolled clinical trial examines the therapeutic processes and clinical outcomes of group body psychotherapy (BPT) on marked negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Changes in symptom scores, subjective quality of life, social functioning and emotional processing between baseline and post-treatment were assessed. The ratings from clinical assessments of independent researchers were compared with the post-therapy summary…
Highlights: ► Body psychotherapy (BPT) and other arts/non-verbal therapies are new treatment methods for otherwise treatment resistant patients with chronic schizophrenia. ► BPT fosters non-verbal communication, and the improvement of motor expressiveness (movement behaviour) provides new ways of working with patients in social interactions ► Patients suffering from negative symptoms may benefit from interventions directly aimed at improving self-awareness through movement ► Study findings indicate a positive effect of BPT on the transition processes between emotional and motor functioning, strengthening patients’ ability to enact (embody) their internal states ► Skilled and experienced therapists’ evaluation of treatment appears a valid source of information for assessing treatment processes and outcomes