تأثیر کار درمانی بر جانبازان PTSD بستری در آسایشگاه اعصاب و روان

Introduction: The military persons that were exposed to war-zone trauma are at risk of developing PTSD that can impair their psychosocial ability. Many Iranian soldiers are stricken with PTSD and haunted in sanitarium. Occupational therapy has had a positive effect on psychiatric patients. Objective: In this study the effects of occupational therapy were evaluated on PTSD veterans. Materials & Methods: In a controlled clinical trial, 20 patients from a psychiatric sanitarium were selected and randomly divided into two treatment and non-treatment groups (10 persons each). After psychiatric interview and occupational evaluation using Functional Assessment Inventory and Preliminary Diagnostic Questionnaire, regular vocational program was performed for the treatment group, whereas sham program was introduced to the control group. At the end of study (6 months), the occupational positions and psychiatrics symptoms were evaluated in two groups. Results: The age mean and disability percentage of both groups were similar. At the end of study in contrast to the control group all members of treatment group were employed. The findings showed remarkable improvement in treatment group after occupational therapy. Conclusion: Occupational therapy is efficient in diminishing the psychiatric symptoms of PTSD patients.