[A study of psychiatric patients perceived effect and expectancy of activity therapy]

The intent of this descriptive study is to investigate the patients perceived effect and expectance of activity therapy. The subjects for this study were 56 patients from the psychiatric ward in Severance Hospital. The data were collected during the period from June 1, 1991 to January 18, 1992. The effect and expectance of the activity therapy was measured using a questionnaire developed by this study's investigators. The date were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and one-way ANOVA, using the SPSS program. The results of this study can be summarized as following; 1. For motivation for the activity therapy, the response range was from 64.3% to 89.3%, that is, it showed a relatively positive response. 2. For the degree of improvement according to the nurse's method in the activity therapy, it was shown that the nurses need professional skill and meeting after activity therapy. 3. For the relevance of the nurse in the activity therapy, 90% of the subjects had a positive answer for all of the activity therapy except the painting therapy. 4. For the perceived effect of the activity therapy, the following results were obtained. 1) 92% of the subjects had a positive response to the dance therapy, that is-I am vigorous physically. 2) 90% of the subjects had a positive response to the reading therapy, that is-I acquire good ideas and instruction. 3) 98.1% of the subjects had a positive response to the recreation therapy, that is-I am joyful. 4) 88.9% of the subjects had a positive response to the writing therapy, that is-I am interested and become acquainted with other patients. 5) 86.8% of the subjects had a positive response to the occupation therapy, that is-I am happy when I work. 6) 92.6% of the subjects had a positive response to the painting therapy, that is-I can express myself in painting. 7) 87.3% of the subjects had a positive response to the music therapy, that is-I am comforted. 5. For the expectance related to the activity therapy, 97.1% of the subjects had the most positive response to the music therapy which is a pleasant comfortable time. From the above-mentioned findings, it is suggested that psychiatric nurses need to development systematic and professional group activity therapy, and know the patient premorbid hobbies, interests and occupations.