Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

A review of Occupational Therapy literature on the treatment of schizophrenia identified four loosely defined treatment categories: (1) sensory integration, (2) activity groups, (3) social skills training, and (4) living skills training. From available data is appears that sensory integration therapy has been able to improve the motivation and affect of schizophrenic patients and structured activity programs can contribute to a reduction in positive symptomatology. Social and living skills training show promise as treatment methods to promote the community functioning of this population. A future need to establish which schizophrenic patients and what schizophrenic symptomatology respond to different types of treatment is identified.