64 ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF DIGITAL MEDIA ART INTERVENTION ON THE RECOVERY OF SOCIAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA
Authors: Wang Luman , Liu* Xiaozhou , Liang Yanfang 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Schizophrenia significantly impairs patients’ social functioning, including social interaction, work ability, and daily living skills. Among these, the damage to social functioning is a crucial barrier in the recovery process of patients with schizophrenia. In recent years, Digital Media Art (DMA) has been introduced as an innovative therapeutic approach for patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the impact of DMA on the social functioning of patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Methods
The study included 100 patients, aged 25 to 60, diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia, with a duration of illness exceeding five years. Patients were randomly divided into Group A (n=50) and Group B (n=50). Group A received standard treatment, while Group B received standard treatment plus a 12-week DMA intervention. The intervention included creative activities using digital tools twice a week. The Scale for the Assessment of Social Functioning (SASF) was used to assess patients’ social functioning, and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to evaluate cognitive functioning. Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA to compare changes in social and cognitive functioning over time between the two groups.

Results
The SASF score of group A increased from 57.9 to 63.5 before the intervention. The SASF score of group B increased from 58.2 to 82.4 before the intervention. Group B showed a significant improvement in social functioning (F (1,98) =23.45, P&lt;0.001) and cognitive functioning (F (1,98) =15.67, P&lt;0.001) compared to group A. The SASF score of group B increased from 58.2 to 82.4 before the intervention. Before the intervention, the MCCB score was 65.4 in group A and 64.8 in group B. The difference was not significant (P&gt;0.05). After the intervention, group A scored 69.2 on the MCCB and group B scored 76.3, with a significant difference (P&lt;0.05). The effect sizes of the intervention were more pronounced for social functioning in group B (Cohen’s d=0.89) and more moderate for cognitive functioning (Cohen’s d=0.58). On attention/vigilance (MCCB subscale), the average score for Group A improved only from 8.0 to 8.8, while the average score for Group B improved from 8.1 to 9.5. Subgroup analyses showed that younger patients (&lt;40 years) benefited more from the DMA intervention in terms of social perception and facial emotion recognition. 76% of patients in group A were satisfied with the treatment, and 97% of patients in group B were satisfied with the DMA intervention.

Discussion
The findings suggest that DMA intervention can significantly enhance the social and cognitive functioning of patients with chronic schizophrenia. The creative and participatory nature of the intervention may provide a motivational boost, leading to better social engagement and cognitive stimulation. The differential effects based on age highlight the importance of tailored interventions. The study’s limitations include the lack of long-term follow-up and the potential influence of patient variables such as medication adherence. Future research will explore the long-term efficacy of DMA interventions and integrate biological markers to better understand the underlying mechanisms.