We compared long-term outcomes between 9 patients with schizophrenia who were admitted and received 1-week intensive Naikan during the remission period 13-14 years earlier (Naikan group) and 8 who were admitted 13-14 years earlier and received no Naikan therapy (Non-Naikan group). The background, symptoms, and clinical course were similar between the two groups. In the Naikan group, 2 patients were not admitted after Naikan therapy, but the other 7 were admitted 3-6 times. Both groups showed repeated remissions and relapses. However, an awareness survey (concerning the parents, patients themselves, regrets/decisions, and treatment effects) revealed differences between the two groups. The Naikan group was thankful for their parents, deeply understood their immaturity and dependence on others kindness, highly regarded Naikan therapy, and was aware of their internal independence. The non-Naikan group was aware of only external and surface situations and considered drugs to be markedly effective as treatment. Despite repeated admissions and discharges, the Naikan group continued an existential spiritual way of life with richness of the mind.

  Thirty-four years have passed since the Japan Naikan Association held its first academic meeting in 1978. It is appropriate that we should examine what research we have done until now and what new subjects we should study in the future.

 In our research for this paper, we sought to identify the trends in the studies of Naikan therapy that have been presented in our academic association for the last thirty-four years. Firstly, we counted the number of studies and presenters, affiliations, and psychological tests that were used in each study. Secondly, we classified each study according to its method of research, its kind of Naikan therapy, and its subjects.

 Our data shows that out of fourteen different methods of research, the method of case-study was used most often. The percentage of studies using case-study is 26.9%. Of the many different kind of therapy, intensive Naikan therapy is the most popular. The percentage of studies using intensive Naikan therapy is 44.1%. Finally, 8.9% of the studies using Naikan therapy are about the treatment of addiction, such as alcohol or gambling addiction. This figure is higher than for any other subject.