Objective To evaluate the effect of behavior modification intervention on the self-care abilities of homeless patients with schizophrenia.Methods Totals of 52 homeless patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into intervention group and control group with 26 cases in each group.The control group received traditional treatment and care,while intervention group received behavior modification combined with routine treatment and care.The nurses scale ( NOSIE ) was used to assess the effectiveness of treatment before the intervention and eight weeks after the intervention.Results There was no difference in NOSIE score in patients before intervention (P＞0.05).Eight weeks after intervention,NOSIE scores of social competence (35.10 ± 3.89),social interest (28.87 ± 3.08)and personal cleanliness (28.15 ± 2.41 )in intervention group were higher than (20.34 + 2.38 ),( 19.98 ± 2.54),( 21.43 ± 2.42 ) control group,and the difference was statistically significant(t =17.56,12.03,9.01,respeetively;P ＜ 0.01 ).Retardation score was (6.78 ± 2.11 ) and depression score was ( 5.23 ± 1.38 ) significantly lower than ( 11.59 ± 2.65 ),( 11.79 ± 2.65 ) in control group(t =7.61,11.2,respectively;P ＜0.01 ).The difference of irritation in two groups was not statistically significant( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Behavior modification intervention can improve self-care abilities of homeless patients with schizophrenia and can relieve working pressure of nurses in some extent.