Objective: Poor adherence to medication in individuals with schizophrenia has a series of adverse consequences. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of Team Skills Training Model (TSTM) on medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods: Sixty individuals with schizophrenia from Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province were divided into a Research Group and a Control Group. The Research Group completed a TSTM intervention and the Control Group completed a Psychological Education program. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) and Rating of Medication Influences (ROMI) were used to evaluate medication adherence, and the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) was used to measure severity of disease. T-tests statistical method was used to compare the score of scales before and after the intervention, and Pearson correlation coefficient to analyze correlations between the MARS, ROMI and BPRS scores.

Results: After 5-week intervention, both the Research Group and Control Group exhibited significant improvements in MARS(2.5 ± 1.10, 4.1 ± 1.78, t=6.649, P=0.000; 2.4 ± 0.93, 3.7 ± 1.42, t=6.547, P=0.000, respectively) and BPRS(47.2 ± 3.68, 40.4 ± 4.25,t=-15.827, P=0.000; 45.7 ± 2.73, 42.3 ± 3.96, t=-6.774, P=0.000, respectively). Research Group had significant improvements in ROMI scores in terms of perceived benefit from medication (1.03 ± 0.19, 1.45 ± 0.51, t=4.446, P=0.000), positive influence of a clinician (1.02 ± 0.17, 1.93 ± 0.46, t=9.878, P=0.000), positive relationship with a therapist (1.04 ± 0.18, 1.62 ± 0.49, t=6.298, P=0.000), positive family belief (1.03 ± 0.19, 1.48 ± 0.51, t=4.770, P=0.000), and fear of rehospitalization (1.37 ± 0.49, 1.83 ± 0.60, t=4.780, P=0.000). We found no correlations between changes in MARS, ROMI and BPRS scores.

Conclusions: The TSTM may improve medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia through increased adherence-related attitudes and integration of interpersonal communication.