PENGARUH PEMBERIAN TERAPI ADJUVAN KURMA AJWA (Phoenix Dactyliera L) TERHADAP KUALITAS HIDUP DAN KADAR TNF-α SERUM PADA PASIEN SKIZOFRENIA YANG MENDAPAT TERAPI RISPERIDON = EFFECT OF AJWA DATES (Phoenix Dactyliera L) ADJUVANT THERAPY ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND SERUM TNF-α LEVEL IN SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS

Abstract Background: Inflammatory markers such as TNF-α may play a role in schizophrenia. The administration of risperidone to treat schizophrenic patients is insufficient for functional and social improvement. Ajwa dates may be a potential adjuvant therapy to promote improvement. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Ajwa dates adjuvant therapy on quality of life (WHOQoL-Bref) and serum TNF-α levels in risperidone-treated schizophrenia patients. Objective: To determine the who receiving risperidone therapy. As well as determining the correlation between quality of life and serum TNF-α levels in schizophrenia patients. Methods: This experimental research uses the RCT (Randomized Control Trial) method with random sampling. A total of 44 subjects were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group and control group, each consisting of 22 subjects. The treatment group received risperidone 4-6 mg/day plus 7 Ajwa dates (60-80 gr) for 8 weeks, while the control group only received risperidone. Quality of life was evaluated using the WHOQoL-Bref score at baseline, week 4, and week 8, while serum TNF-α levels were measured at baseline and week 8. Statistical analysis used the chi-square test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to assess data normality, the Mann-Whitney test with a p value <0.05, and the Spearman Correlation test for the significance of the results. Results: There was a significant improvement in quality of life in patients who received risperidone therapy and adjuvant Ajwa Dates and those who only received risperidone at week 8., but the treatment group showed an increase in the WHOQoL-Bref score of 2.8 times, which is higher than the control group that only increased 2.4 times. Even though A significant reduction in serum TNF-α levels could be seen in both groups after week 8 of therapy, but treatment group showed superior effect than control group. In all group we found a very strong correlation between improved quality of life and reduction in serum TNF-α levels. Conclusion: Adjuvant of Ajwa Dates has an effect on improving quality of life and reducing serum TNF-α levels in schizophrenia patients who receive risperidone therapy. Keywords: Schizophrenia, Risperidone, Ajwa Dates, TNF-α, Quality of life.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Risperidone, Ajwa Dates, TNF-α, Quality of life.