Can older people with schizophrenia benefit from work rehabilitation?

To determine whether older people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder can benefit from work therapy as has been shown with their younger counterparts, 41 older patients (50+) were compared with 104 younger patients on their clinical and vocational outcomes while participating in a 6-month work therapy program. In an intent-to-treat analysis, both groups showed significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life at the conclusion of the active intervention, but there were no significant differences between age groups. In comparisons of biweekly Work Behavior Inventory scores for completers, older workers improved more than younger workers, particularly during the second half of the program. Results are in accord with previous evidence for the clinical and vocational benefits of work therapy and indicate that older people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder can perform at least as well as their younger counterparts and respond similarly with improved symptoms and quality of life.