Clinical study of dance art therapy on hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: To explore the effect of dance art on the treatment of hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: In a prospective randomized controlled study conducted from June 2019 to June 2020, 120 patients from Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center were divided into intervention (n = 60) and control (n = 60) groups using a random number table. Control patients received standard drug treatment and nursing care, while the intervention group underwent dance art therapy sessions for 90 minutes twice weekly, in addition to standard care. Treatment outcomes after 6 and 12 weeks were measured using the positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and body mass index (BMI). Results: This study involved 120 male patients with chronic schizophrenia, aged 30 to 60 years. After 6 and 12 weeks, the intervention group showed a greater reduction in PANSS scores (intervention group: from 49.02 ± 2.53 to 37.02 ± 1.83, control group: from 49.08 ± 2.59 to 44.91 ± 2.35, P < .05). In the WCST, the intervention group exhibited a higher increase in classification completion and correct answers, and a greater decrease in errors (P < .05). MoCA scores improved significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < .05). BMI decreased in both groups, with a more pronounced reduction in the intervention group (intervention group: from 26.47 ± 1.05 kg/m² to 22.87 ± 0.73 kg/m², control group: from 26.50 ± 1.03 kg/m² to 26.22 ± 0.80 kg/m², P < .05). Conclusion: Based on routine drug treatment and routine nursing care, dance art has a better clinical effect in treating hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia, which can improve cognitive function, alleviate clinical symptoms, and reduce BMI.