67 THE EFFECT OF IMMERSIVE CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM ON THE REHABILITATION OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS
Authors: Wang Xiaofen 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. Traditional treatment methods rely on drug therapy and psychological intervention, but in recent years, non-drug therapies are increasingly gaining attention, especially those that can stimulate patients’ interest and promote the recovery of emotional and social functions. Immersive cultural heritage tourism is a new therapy, but its application in the rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients has not been fully explored. Therefore, based on previous research trends on cultural therapy and schizophrenia rehabilitation, this study aims to explore the potential effects of immersive cultural heritage tourism on the rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients, and provide new ways and ideas for the treatment of this disease.

Methods
The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). A total of 80 patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Patients in the experimental group participated in immersive cultural heritage tourism activities for 12 weeks, 3 times a week, including historical sites, traditional handicraft villages, etc. During the activity, professional guides gave detailed explanation and interactive guidance, and patients were encouraged to participate in cultural experience activities such as traditional handicraft production and folk performance viewing. The control group received conventional hospital rehabilitation treatment. Before and after the intervention, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Social Disability Screening Schedule, SDSS and self-rated life satisfaction scale were used to evaluate the two groups of patients.

Results
The evaluation results of various scales in the experimental group and the control group are shown in Table 1.
Compared with baseline, the total score of PANSS in the experimental group decreased significantly after intervention, from 85 to 65, indicating that psychiatric symptoms were alleviated. The total score of SDSS dropped from 35 to 25, indicating improved social functioning. Life satisfaction scale score increased from 30 to 45. The total score of PANSS, SDSS and life satisfaction scale changed little in the control group before and after intervention.

Discussion
According to the research results, immersive cultural heritage tourism has a positive effect on the rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients, which can effectively reduce symptoms, improve social function and improve life satisfaction. The practical significance of the study is that it opens up a new model for the rehabilitation treatment of schizophrenia, and such activities can be considered in the clinical rehabilitation plan. Future studies may further explore the targeted effects of different types of cultural heritage tourism projects on patients with different subtypes of schizophrenia, optimize the design of tourism activities and intervention duration, so as to better play the role of immersive cultural heritage tourism in the rehabilitation of schizophrenia.

Funding
No.2022YFF0902402; No.22285801Z; No.ZD202121; No.22375801D; No.2024-01.