The Effect of a 12-week Weight Management Program on the Quality of Life in Patients with Schizophrenia / 대한정신분열병학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the effect of a 12-week weight management program on the quality of life, self-esteem and psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. METHODS: The subjects of the experiment consisted of psychiatric patients taking antipsychotics who were diagnosed with DSM-IV schizophrenia. The experimental group were patients with body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or above who participated in a 12-week weight management program, while the control group did not join the program. All the patients were admitted in closed psychiatry ward of a mental hospital. The program consisted of diet therapy, exercise, behavior modification and education. All the patients were checked on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Korean version of the SmithKlein Beecham Quality of Life (KvSBQOL), Korean version of 4th revision of Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS-R4K) and the weight. RESULTS: After the 12-week weight management program, RSES, KvSBQOL and SQLS-R4K were increased significantly in the experimental group (p<0.001), as opposed to the control group. While the experimental group showed a notable increase in body weight and body mass index (BMI), the change in the control group was insignificant. BPRS was decreased significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: 12-week weight management program had a positive effect to decrease the weight and to increase the self-esteem and quality of life. This study provides evidence for the potential and beneficial effect of weight management program for schizophrenic patients.