52 THE INFLUENCE OF FOLK MUSIC ON SOCIAL FUNCTION AND SOCIAL DISORDER IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract Background Social dysfunction and social withdrawal are common in schizophrenia patients, affecting the quality of life and social adaptability. Improving social function is the key goal of treatment. Folk music can express emotions and trigger cultural resonance, and is considered to be an effective non-drug intervention that can promote emotional communication and social interaction of patients. However, there are few systematic studies on the effects of folk music on social function and disorder in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of folk music intervention on improving patients’ social function and alleviating social disorders, and to provide evidence for its application in the field of mental health. Methods A randomized controlled trial design was used to include 100 patients with schizophrenia, who were randomly divided into a folk music intervention group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). The intervention group received 12 weeks of ethnic music therapy twice a week for 60 minutes, including instrumental experience, song singing, and musical social activities. The control group received only conventional medication and psychological support. The Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and Social Disability Assessment Scale (SDAS) were measured at baseline, every 3 weeks, and at the end of the intervention. Results Baseline assessment showed no significant difference in SFS and SDAS scores between the intervention group and the control group (P>0.05). After the intervention, the SFS score in the intervention group gradually increased from 48.3±8.6 at baseline to 68.7±9.4 at week 12, which was significantly higher than 55.4±8.9 in the control group (P<0.05). SDAS scores in the intervention group decreased progressively from 12.7±3.1 at baseline to 6.3±2.5 at week 12, while those in the control group only decreased from 12.5±3.2 to 10.4±2.9 (P<0.05). The details are shown in Table 1. Discussion Folk music therapy can significantly improve the social function of schizophrenia patients and reduce their social barriers, and promote the recovery of social ability through cultural resonance and emotional expression, which has important psychological treatment value. This study provides scientific basis for the application of folk music in the treatment of schizophrenia, and demonstrates its unique advantages as a means of cultural intervention. Future studies may further explore the specific mechanisms of different ethnic music forms.