Improving the long term functioning of chronic hospitalized patients through expressive movement and music therapy

Abstract: This thesis discusses the theoretical base for schizophrenia as well as that for the expressive therapies. The author then presents a case history. Working with chronic hospitalized patients in a psychiatric hospital, he introduced a treatment plan,which incorporated the expressive therapies of movement and music for patients who had declined into a state of dependency on the supportive institutional framework. Through the one year therapeutic process, these lonely patients, who had hitherto manifested emotional and cognitive constriction, degeneration of social and rehabilitative skills and diminished initiative and will, came together in a cohesive group. They developed the ability for self expression and their interpersonal skills were improved. In a follow up survey conducted 2 years later, these achievements were found to be preserved both individually and within the group.

Keyword(s): Music-therapy,movement therapy, schizophrenia, chronic- patients, psychiatric hospital, treatment, therapeutic pro.

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