Nurse and Patient Responses to a Study of Milieu Therapy

The authors describe a research project in milieu therapy that employed the suspension of all planned group and activity programs. A two-week period of regular observations to establish baseline data was followed by a two-week experimental period and a final observation period when the program had been restored. Contrary to expectations, the patients did not withdraw or decompensate: They assumed responsibility and leadership in organizing their own activities and initiated more contacts with staff. The reactions of nurses and patients to the project as a learning experience are described.