Journal of International Psychiatry

Objective To evaluate the effect of family rehabilitation for patients with severe mental disorders in mountainous rural areas of Hubei Province. Methods 135 patients with severe mental disorders diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria were enrolled. With the training and guidance of professionals, family members or guardians of patients assisted patients in implementing family rehabilitation programs. Concise Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Daily Life Scale (ADL) and Personal and Social Function Scale (PSP) were used to evaluate the rehabilitation effect of patients in three aspects: psychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and social functions. Evaluation was conducted at baseline and every 3 months. Results At baseline, scores for BPRS, ADL and PSP were 32.00±4.80, 26.41±4.47 and 46.96 ±11.98, respectively. At the last follow-up, scores for BPRS, ADL and PSP were 20.34±2.46, 16.79±3.26 and 77.42±10.83, respectively. Compared with baseline data, BPRS and ADL scores were significantly lower and PSP scores were significantly higher at the last follow-up (P<0.001). Conclusion Family rehabilitation of patients with severe mental disorders in mountainous rural areas was effective, with the aspects of psychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and social functions significantly improved.

Severe mental disorder, family, rehabilitation, mountainous rural areas