SINGAPORE — A novel study in which people with schizophrenia act as peer leaders to fellow patients in a support-group-like setting has yielded positive results in the self-esteem and motivation of those patients and has helped keep their condition in check.

The one-and-a-half-year study, which ended last December, was conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and involved 122 patients.

The results were promising. Eighty-eight per cent of schizophrenic patients in the study showed an improvement in their psychological and social condition after just six weeks of this Peer-Led Self-Management Programme.

Researcher Li Ziqiang, Senior Staff Nurse at IMH, said the results suggested that the programme was effective in supporting a patient’s recovery by rebuilding hope, promoting practical wellness maintenance and social support, and helping patients feel empowered to take charge of their health.

“These elements instil hope in people with schizophrenia and improve their motivation to make goals. (They help) rebuild confidence and respect in them, as well as strengthen their resilience to manage difficulties, especially in the face of a long-term illness,” said Ms Li.

She said patients with schizophrenia often suffered from a lack of motivation. Hence, the programme addresses that by having its participants set a recovery goal, such as maintaining a job, which they would work towards throughout the six weeks.

Having peer leaders with schizophrenia lead the weekly discussions also gave them a role model to aspire towards, she added.

With the success of this first study, the IMH is planning to conduct another that would involve more schizophrenia patients to assess whether such a treatment could be administered more widely.

This study is one of 464 that were submitted to a scientific competition as part of the Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress happening this Friday and Saturday.