Effects of Token Economy Intervention on Hospitalized Patients With Schizophrenia

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of token economy intervention on the clinical characteristics and global function of patients with schizophrenia.Methods: From June 1, 2022 to September 1, 2022, token economy intervention was conducted for hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in a mental hospital. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale (CGI-SCH), Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS), Insight Scale for Psychosis (ISP), and Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) were used to evaluate clinical characteristics. World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) was used for global functional assessment.Results: A total of 51 patients were included in the study. Through token economy intervention, depressive (p=0.001), cognitive symptom domain scores (p<0.001) in CGI-SCH, and SQLS score were significantly decreased (p=0.044). In the WHODAS evaluated by the clinician, the scores of self-care (p=0.012), life activities (p=0.006), and participation in society (p=0.040) decreased significantly.Conclusion: It was confirmed that token economy intervention had a positive effect on depressive symptoms, cognitive symptoms, quality of life, self-care function, daily living function, and social participation function in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.