The effect of agriculture activity on quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorder with pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment. The present study aimed to determine the effect of agriculture activity on quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients. This survey was a quasi- experimental study in which 52 eligible patients with chronic schizophrenia were assigned randomly in intervention and control groups (n=26). The study was conducted in Sina psychiatry Hospital. The intervention period was three months. The patients in control group received routine treatment. The patients in intervention group were participated in agricultural activity in addition to routine treatment. The demographic questionnaire and schizophrenia quality of life scale were completed at the beginning and the end of the study. The research data were analyzed by descriptive statistical indexes including mean, standard deviation and inferential statistical methods like Student t-test and Chi square. The study groups were homogeneous in demographic variables and quality of life scores at the baseline. At the end of study, the agriculture activity group showed significant improvement by mean of quality of life (P< 0.001), but there was no significant change in control group (P>0.05). Regarding to the impact of agricultural activity on improving quality of life in patients with schizophrenia, it seems that this treatment method can be used as part of routine treatment for this patients.