Hallucination Levels in Schizophrenia After Perceptual Stimulation Group Activity Therapy

Abstract

Schizophrenia is frequently accompanied by hallucinations that disrupt functioning and quality of life. Perceptual stimulation group activity therapy is a structured nursing intervention intended to strengthen patients’ ability to recognize and manage hallucinatory experiences. This study aimed to describe post-therapy hallucination levels and analyze their relationships with selected therapy-related factors. A quantitative descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 patients with schizophrenia and hallucinations at Radjiman Wediodiningrat Lawang Hospital. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were obtained through structured interviews, observations, and questionnaires assessing hallucination levels, social support, interaction quality, therapy environment, knowledge, and participation. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation were used for analysis. After therapy, 17 participants (56.7%) had mild hallucinations and 13 (43.3%) had moderate hallucinations. Social support was inversely associated with hallucination level, whereas patient knowledge showed a positive association. Interaction quality, therapy environment, and participation were not significantly associated with hallucination level. Perceptual stimulation group activity therapy was followed predominantly by mild hallucination levels, with social support and patient knowledge emerging as relevant correlates of hallucination management.