Effectiveness of Conversational Skill Training of Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: The disabling nature of deficitsin social and independent living skills of per-sons with severe and persisting mental disor-ders was a strong rationale for developing so-cial skills training as a rehabilitation modalitythat could attenuate those deficits. Aim andObjectives: To assess the effectiveness of con-versational skill training in patients with schizo-phrenia. Material and Methods: Multistagesimple random sampling method was used forthe present study to assign the patients to con-trol group from closed female ward and experi-mental group from open female ward. Random-ization was done through lottery method. Theage groups between 18-60 years were selectedfrom female individuals who were diagnosedwith schizophrenia and admitted in the hospitalin closed & open in-patient psychiatry units atNIMHANS. The tool used was rating scale forassessment of conversational skill. Skill train-ing was given using role play method. Total of15 sessions were conducted on conversationalskill. Results:The results suggested that therewas a significant difference in conversationalskill after the skill training between the experi-mental group and control group. Conclusion:Conversational skill training through role playis an effective method to improve the conver-sational skill of patients with schizophrenia.

Keywords

• Schizophrenia
• Skill Training
• Conversational Skill.