Tong J, Cheng J, Gao SM, Chen Y, Liu SH, Li M, Lu YT. Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction combined with narrative nursing on treatment adherence and negative emotions with schizophrenia. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(7): 118740 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.118740]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yi-Ting Lu, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Psychiatry, Shenyang Mental Health Center, No. 12 Jinfan Middle Road, Hunnan New District, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China. lyt1983doc@163.com
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Psychiatry
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Tong J, Cheng J, Gao SM, Chen Y, Liu SH, Li M, Lu YT. Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction combined with narrative nursing on treatment adherence and negative emotions with schizophrenia. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(7): 118740 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.118740]
World J Psychiatry. Jul 19, 2026; 16(7): 118740 Published online Jul 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.118740
Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction combined with narrative nursing on treatment adherence and negative emotions with schizophrenia
Jing Tong, Jun Cheng, Shu-Min Gao, Yang Chen, Song-Heng Liu, Ming Li, Yi-Ting Lu
Jing Tong, Jun Cheng, Department of Psychology Ward Two, Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Shu-Min Gao, Department of Nursing, Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Yang Chen, Department of Geriatric Ward One, Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Song-Heng Liu, Ming Li, Department of Mental Health Ward Three, Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Yi-Ting Lu, Department of Psychiatry, Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Tong J and Cheng J participated in the research design and data collection; Gao SM and Chen Y were responsible for data analysis and paper writing; Liu SH was responsible for fund application, communication and coordination; Li M was responsible for research design, review and editing; Lu YT was responsible for research design, data analysis, review and editing, ethical review, copyright and licensing and follow-up; all authors have read and accepted the final manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: The research was reviewed and approved by Shenyang Mental Health Center, No. 2025005.
Informed consent statement: All participants provided informed consent.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Data sharing statement: No other data available.
Corresponding author: Yi-Ting Lu, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Psychiatry, Shenyang Mental Health Center, No. 12 Jinfan Middle Road, Hunnan New District, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China. lyt1983doc@163.com
Received: February 3, 2026 Revised: February 25, 2026 Accepted: March 24, 2026 Published online: July 19, 2026 Processing time: 142 Days and 6.8 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder, which affects about 0.75% of the global population. Most patients show negative symptoms and cognitive impairment, and often accompanied by anxiety and depression. These persistent negative emotions significantly impair the treatment compliance, functional recovery and quality of life of patients. Although mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and narrative nursing have shown individual efficacy, the combined effect of MBSR and narrative nursing on treatment compliance and negative emotions in patients with schizophrenia is still insufficient. We hypothesized that integrating these methods would synergistically improve the prognosis of patients.
AIM
To investigate the intervention outcomes of MBSR and narrative nursing on treatment adherence and negative emotions in schizophrenia.
METHODS
Clinical records of 120 patients with schizophrenia in Shenyang Mental Health Center from April 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025 were collected in a retrospective manner. Patients were split into a control group (n = 60, receiving usual care) and an observation group (n = 60, receiving MBSR combined with narrative nursing care). Changes in Medication Adherence Rating Scale, Hamilton anxiety scale, Hamilton depression scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale between the two groups were comparable before and after the treatment.
RESULTS
Before intervention, no significant between-group differences were observed (P > 0.05). After 8 weeks, the observation group showed significantly higher Medication Adherence Rating Scale score (8.54 ± 0.83 vs 7.20 ± 0.85, P < 0.05) and greater treatment compliance vs controls (P < 0.001). The Hamilton anxiety scale score (8.34 ± 1.74 vs 10.23 ± 1.67), Hamilton depression scale score (10.85 ± 1.87 vs 12.38 ± 2.23), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score (26.44 ± 1.35 vs 32.32 ± 2.07) of the observation group were all remarkably lower than the control group (all P < 0.001) prompting the improvement in negative emotions and psychiatric symptoms were more favorable. Furthermore, the total Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale score and scores on each aspect were substantially lower for the observation group than for the control group (all P < 0.001), the improvement in life quality is more obvious.
CONCLUSION
BMSR with narrative nursing significantly improves treatment adherence, alleviates negative emotions and psychiatric symptoms, and enhances quality of life in schizophrenia patients, demonstrating strong clinical value.
Core Tip: This retrospective study demonstrates that an 8-week integrated intervention combining mindfulness-based stress reduction with narrative nursing significantly improves treatment adherence, reduces anxiety and depression, alleviates overall psychiatric symptoms, and enhances quality of life in patients with stable schizophrenia, compared to routine care alone. It offers a feasible and comprehensive nursing approach for clinical management of schizophrenia, with significant application value.
