Objective This research aims to investigate the impact of Orff music therapy on long-term schizophrenic patients in hospitals.Methods The study was a randomized,single-blind controlled trial conducted from April,2023 to September,2023.From April to September 2023,sixty-eight individuals diagnosed with persistent schizophrenia were enrolled and evenly distributed into a pair of cohorts:a treatment group of thirty-four people receiving the intervention,and an equal number forming the control group for comparative purposes.Individuals enrolled in the experimental arm of the study were administered Orff-music therapy alongside routine rehabilitation treatment across a span of two months.For a period of 8 weeks,the control group was given only standard rehabilitation treatment,whereas the research group underwent Orff-music therapy in addition to the standard rehabilitation treatment.Results Before treatment,there were no significant differences in the positive and negative symptoms scale(PANSS),the inpatient psychosis rehabilitation observe scale(IPROS)and the personal and social performance scale(psp)between two groups.After intervention,the PANSS showed that the changes were better in the study group than in the control group in 3 indicators:negative symptoms(-3.20±4.13 vs.-0.17±2.43,P<0.001),general symptoms(-2.79±3.83 vs.-0.17±2.99,P=0.003)and the total scores(-5.88±6.36 vs.0.00±4.08,P<0.001),but not in positive symptoms(P>0.05).The IPROS showed that the performances of patients in the study group were better than the control group in terms of participation in work therapy(-0.82±2.08 vs.0.23±2.10,P=0.041),socialization(-0.59±1.94 vs.0.53±1.69,P=0.014)and ability to live(-0.94±2.50 vs.0.15±1.48,P=0.033),the changes in scores before and after the intervention were significantly different when compared to the control group.The PSP showed that the changes in scores before and after the treatment of the study group was better than the control group in terms of social activity[0(-1,0)vs.0(0,0),P=0.011],and self-care[0(-1,0)vs.0(-0.25,0),P=0.012]were better than the control group.Conclusion For long-term hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia.Orff-music therapy can be a powerful tool for alleviating mental issues,fostering social functioning,and enhancing rehabilitation results.