Abstract
BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death among people with serious mental illness (SMI). Sedentary behaviour (SB) is an independent risk factor for CVD and mortality and people with SMI are highly sedentary. We developed a health coaching intervention called ‘Walk this Way’ to reduce SB and increase physical activity (PA) in people with SMI and conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test its feasibility and acceptability.MethodsWe randomised people with SMI from three community mental health teams into either the WTW intervention or treatment as usual. The WTW intervention lasted 17 weeks and included an initial education session, fortnightly coaching, provision of pedometers and access to a weekly walking group. Objective SB and PA were measured with accelerometers. Cardiometabolic risk factors and wellbeing measures were collected.ResultsWe recruited 40 people of whom 33 (82.5%) were followed up. 13/20 (65%) of participants allocated to the coaching intervention completed it. In the intervention group SB decreased by 56 min and total PA increased by 32 min per day on average which was sustained 6 months later. There was no change in PA or SB in the control group. When interviewed, participants in the intervention found the intervention helpful and acceptable. No adverse events were reported from the intervention.ConclusionsThe intervention was feasible and acceptable to participants. Preliminary results were encouraging with improvement seen in both SB and PA. A larger study is needed to assess the effectiveness of the intervention and address any implementation challenges.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry identifier: ISRCTN37724980, retrospectively registered 25 September 2015.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death among people with serious mental illness (SMI)
Recent global meta-analyses have demonstrated that people with SMI are at greatly increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) [4], diabetes [5], and cardiovascular disease [6]
In addition to the protective effects of physical activity, there is strong evidence that higher levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) (any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture) [10] is independently associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and associated mortality [11]
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death among people with serious mental illness (SMI). Recent global meta-analyses have demonstrated that people with SMI are at greatly increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) [4], diabetes [5], and cardiovascular disease [6]. The cardiometabolic health of people with SMI in England is notably poor with a recent study demonstrating that 57% (n = 175) met the criteria for MetS while 20% had diabetes [7]. Addressing this disparity will require a multifaceted approach. In addition to the protective effects of physical activity, there is strong evidence that higher levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) (any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture) [10] is independently associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and associated mortality [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
