Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction combined with narrative nursing on treatment adherence and negative emotions with schizophrenia

A retrospective study of 120 schizophrenia patients found that combining mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) with narrative nursing improved treatment adherence, reduced anxiety and depression, and enhanced quality of life more than usual care alone. After 8 weeks, the combined-intervention group scored higher on medication adherence and lower on anxiety, depression, and psychiatric symptom scales, with all differences statistically significant. The authors conclude that integrating MBSR and narrative nursing has strong clinical value for schizophrenia patients.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder, which affects about 0.75% of the global population. Most patients show negative symptoms and cognitive impairment, and often accompanied by anxiety and depression. These persistent negative emotions significantly impair the treatment compliance, functional recovery and quality of life of patients. Although mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and narrative nursing have shown individual efficacy, the combined effect of MBSR and narrative nursing on treatment compliance and negative emotions in patients with schizophrenia is still insufficient. We hypothesized that integrating these methods would synergistically improve the prognosis of patients. AIM To investigate the intervention outcomes of MBSR and narrative nursing on treatment adherence and negative emotions in schizophrenia. METHODS Clinical records of 120 patients with schizophrenia in Shenyang Mental Health Center from April 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025 were collected in a retrospective manner. Patients were split into a control group (n = 60, receiving usual care) and an observation group (n = 60, receiving MBSR combined with narrative nursing care). Changes in Medication Adherence Rating Scale, Hamilton anxiety scale, Hamilton depression scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale between the two groups were comparable before and after the treatment. RESULTS Before intervention, no significant between-group differences were observed (P > 0.05). After 8 weeks, the observation group showed significantly higher Medication Adherence Rating Scale score (8.54 ± 0.83 vs 7.20 ± 0.85, P < 0.05) and greater treatment compliance vs controls (P < 0.001). The Hamilton anxiety scale score (8.34 ± 1.74 vs 10.23 ± 1.67), Hamilton depression scale score (10.85 ± 1.87 vs 12.38 ± 2.23), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score (26.44 ± 1.35 vs 32.32 ± 2.07) of the observation group were all remarkably lower than the control group (all P < 0.001) prompting the improvement in negative emotions and psychiatric symptoms were more favorable. Furthermore, the total Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale score and scores on each aspect were substantially lower for the observation group than for the control group (all P < 0.001), the improvement in life quality is more obvious. CONCLUSION BMSR with narrative nursing significantly improves treatment adherence, alleviates negative emotions and psychiatric symptoms, and enhances quality of life in schizophrenia patients, demonstrating strong clinical value.