Interventions to enhance mental health outcomes of persons with schizophrenia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

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Abstract:

hgggghgggh& Aim: 

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder requiring continuous care. 

During the COVID

-

19 pandemic, people with schizophrenia (PLWS) faced disproportionate 

challenges  due  to  healthcare  disruptions.  Ensuring  continuity  of  care  is  essential,  and 

understandin

g the types of interventions implemented during this period can inform future 

support  strategies.  This  systematic  review  aimed  to  identify,  describe,  and  synthesize 

reported  outcomes  of  interventions  implemented  to  support  the  mental  health  of  PLWS 

during 

the COVID

-

19 pandemic. 

Methods  &  Materials:

The  protocol  was  registered  on  PROSPERO.  A  comprehensive 

search  was  conducted  in  MEDLINE,  Embase,  CINAHL,  and  ScienceDirect  for  studies 

published  between  2019  and  2023.  Eligible  studies  included  experimental  (randomized 

controlled  trials  and  quasi

-

experime

ntal  studies)  and  non

-

experimental  (observational) 

designs investigating the effects of interventions on mental health outcomes in PLWS aged 

18  years  and  older.  A  narrative  synthesis  was  used  to  report  findings,  and  the  quality  of 

incl

uded studies was assessed. 

Results:

Of the 1,738 records screened, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 

seven experimental and four non

-

experimental studies. Interventions included virtual and in

-

person  guided  walking,  smartphone  apps,  animated  audio

-

visual  videos,  animal

-

as

sisted 

therapy,  nutritional  programs,  and  incentivized  community  health  worker  models.  Non

-

experimental   studies   reported   on   telehealth

-

delivered   psychotherapies,   vitamin   D 

supplementation,  and  dietary  interventions.  These  interventions  were  associ

ated  with 

reported improvements in physical activity, cognitive and social functioning, quality of life, 

and health behaviors, along with reductions in illness severity, self

-

stigma, and metabolic 

risk. 

Conclusion:

This review highlights a range of interventions reported to support the mental 

health  of  PLWS  during  the  COVID

-

19  pandemic.  While  experimental  studies  suggest 

promising outcomes, findings from non

-

experimental designs require cautious interpretation. 

These

insights  may  inform  the  development  of  flexible,  evidence

-

informed  strategies  for 

PLWS in future public health crises