An interactive videodisc as a tool in the rehabilitation of the chronically mentally ill: A preliminary investigation

摘要

The acceptability and educational effectiveness of an interactive videodisc simulation designed to teach stress management, medication compliance, and other community living skills to the chronically mentally ill was studied. The disc, called How to Get Out and Stay Out: The Story of Cathy, was studied in a simple of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. Two groups were compared: the experimental group had the opportunity to try the simulation repeatedly and saw the story turn out better or worse for Cathy depending upon the choices that they made for her. The control group saw some very limited scences from the disc and gave their opinions about it but did not make choices and see consequences. Acceptability was found to be high; the participants enjoyed the disc and understood how to use it. Comparison of the groups' pre- and post-videodisc scores on two measures (the Wellness-Maintenance Questionnaires, and a modified version of the Community Adjustment Profile) showed that the experimental group made significantly greater gains on the Wellness-Maintenance Questionnaires than the control group. The results suggest that even when used as a stand-alone educational device, the videodisc can contribute to a psychiatric patient education program.