Impact of modified psychomotor therapy on self-efficacy in community-dwelling individuals with schizophrenia receiving rehabilitation

Purpose To investigate the rehabilitative effects of modified psychomotor therapy (mPMT), which incorporates traditional Chinese healthcare exercises, on the self-efficacy, psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia during the community rehabilitation period. Methods A total of 96 individuals with schizophrenia, who were being managed during community rehabilitation period at Yangpu District, were randomly and equally divided, using the simple random number method, into two groups: the intervention group (mPMT) and the control group (Control). The control group received routine community mental health services, including psychiatric medication, follow-up visits from the community family doctor teams, health education and routine community rehabilitation services, whereas the mPMT group received psychomotor therapy alongside these services above for a period of six months. The self-efficacy of individuals with schizophrenia was primarily assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Psychiatric symptoms, social disability and quality of life were respectively assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome (PANSS), the Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) and the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS). Results After six months, the within-group GSES scores were significantly higher in both the control and mPMT groups compared to the baseline scores ( p < 0.0001), while the SQLS and SDSS scores were significantly lower ( p < 0.001). After 6 months of intervention, PANSS, SQLS and SDSS scores were significantly lower in the mPMT group than in the control group ( p < 0.001). Conclusion mPMT serves as an effective complementary intervention to alleviate psychiatric symptoms, enhance self-efficacy, and improve the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia in community rehabilitation.