Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire Research Articles

Physical activity and sedentary behavior levels among individuals with mental illness: A cross-sectional study from 23 countries.

People with mental illness tend to present low levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior. The study aims to compare these levels in mental illness patients, exploring the role of socioeconomic development and treatment setting. This cross-sectional study used accelerometers and the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior in mental illness individuals living in 23 countries. Two-way ANOVAs were used to evaluate the interaction between socioeconomic development and the treatment settings on physical activity and sedentary behavior. A total of 884 (men = 55.3%) participants, mean age of 39.3 (SD = 12.8), were evaluated. A significant interaction between socioeconomic development and treatment settings was found in sedentary behavior (F = 5.525; p = 0.019; η2p = 0.009; small effect size). Main effects were observed on socioeconomic development (F = 43.004; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.066; medium effect size) and treatment setting (F = 23.001; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.036; small effect size) for sedentary behavior and physical activity: socioeconomic development (F = 20.888; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.033; small effect size) and treatment setting (F = 30.358; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.047; small effect size), showing that HIC patients were more active, while MIC patients were more sedentary. Moreover, despite of inpatients had presented higher levels of physical activity than outpatients, they also spent more time sitting. Socioeconomic development plays an important role in sedentary behavior in patients with mental disorders, warning the need to develop new strategies to reduce these levels in this population.

Self-Reported Mood and Lifestyle-Related Physical Activity of Young Adults With Major Depressive Disorder.

We investigated whether mood and lifestyle-related indicators of physical health are differentially expressed according to self-reported levels of depressive symptoms among young adults with a current episode of major depression. In a cross-sectional study, we recruited 94 young adults (females = 67, 71.3%; males = 27, 28.7%; aged 18-35years) with a current episode of major depression. We assessed their mood with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory-(BAI), sleep with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), physical activity with the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), and their cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants' depression levels were classified as follows using established cut-points: (a) Mild Depressive Symptoms (MIDS, BDI-II 14-19 points, n = 17), (b) Moderate Depressive Symptoms (MODS, BDI-II 20-28 points, n = 37) or (c) Severe Depressive Symptoms (SEDS, BDI-II 29-63 points, n = 40). As expected, we found that young adults with SEDS, when compared to those with MODS and MIDS, showed higher depressive mood on the POMS, and they exhibited greater anxiety symptoms, lower reported 'vigor' on physical activity measures, worse sleep quality as expressed by their global score sleep; daytime dysfunction; and sleep disturbance, and they showed lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Those with moderate depressive symptoms only differed from those with mild symptoms with respect to hostility, fatigue and mood disturbance. Although there was a gradient whereby worse mental and physical health indicators were more closely related to the SEDS depression categorization, while healthier indicators were associated with the MIDS category, some parameters were not different between the MDD severity groups, particularly when comparing MIDS and MODS. Clinicians treating patients with MDD should consider these factors when designing lifestyle-based interventions.

People with mental health problems attending primary care settings report less suicidal ideation following physical activity counselling: Findings from a low income country

BackgroundWith over 75 % of all suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the burden on health care systems and societies is highest in this part of the world. Since psychotropic medication is seldomly available in primary care settings in LMICs, non-pharmacological interventions to reduce suicidal ideation are essential. Physical activity has the potential to reduce suicidal ideation, but the current evidence is inconsistent and mainly derived from studies in high-income countries. In this secondary analysis of 3 pre-test/post-test studies without a control group studies, we aim to explore whether being physically active is associated with reductions in suicidal ideation in people with mental health problems in rural areas in Uganda. MethodsFrom 682 primary care patients, 151 were eligible and included in 8-weeks once weekly physical activity counselling of which 61 (50♀; age = 44.1 ± 13.7 years; body mass index = 21.6 ± 3.6) reported suicidal ideation at baseline and were included in this secondary analysis. Suicidal ideation was assessed with item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), physical activity levels with the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used. ResultsSuicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9 ≥ 1) prevalence dropped from 100 % to 9.8 % post-intervention (P < 0.001). Following the intervention, significantly higher physical activity levels were observed (SIMPAQ total scored = 54.9 ± 41.4 min/day versus 287.3 ± 149.7 min/day, P < 0.001). ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that physical activity might be a promising intervention in reducing suicidal ideation in primary care patients in low-resourced settings. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these beneficial findings.

Home-based telerehabilitation for community-dwelling persons with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study.

To determine the feasibility and safety of use of asynchronous telerehabilitation for community-dwelling persons with stroke in the Philippines during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and to evaluate the change in participants' telerehabilitation perceptions, physical activity, and well-being after a 2-week home-based telerehabilitation programme using a common social media application. Pilot study. Nineteen ambulatory, non-aphasic adult members of a national university hospital stroke support group in the Philippines. Pre-participation screening was performed using the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. The participants were medically cleared prior to study enrollment. They then engaged in telerehabilitation by watching original easy-to-follow home exercise videos prepared and posted by the study authors on a private group page on Facebook™ every other day for 2 weeks. Descriptive statistics was performed. All 19 participants (mean age: 54.9 years) completed the programme with no significant adverse events. The majority of subjects improved their telerehabilitation perceptions (based on the Telepractice Questionnaire), physical activity levels (based on the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire), and perceived well-being (based on the Happiness Scale). Asynchronous telerehabilitation using a common low-cost social media application is feasible and safe for community-dwelling persons with chronic stroke in a lower-middle-income country.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental health outcomes in firefighters: A cross-sectional study

This study in firefighters aims to explore correlations between physical activity (PA), sedentary levels, PTSD symptoms, psychological distress and well-being. We also compare PTSD symptoms, psychological distress and well-being in those who meet the 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week recommendation versus those who don’t. Finally, we compare PA levels in those with PTSD versus without. Self-reported PA and sedentary levels [Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire, Physical Activity Vitals Sign], PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, PCL-5), psychological distress (Kessler-6, K-6) and well-being (WHO-5 Well-being index) were collected in 87 firefighters (77 men, age = 43.1 years; SD = 10.3). Spearman Rho correlations were used to explore associations and Mann–Whitney U tests to examine differences between subgroups. Time spent exercising correlated with PTSD symptoms (ρ = −0.220; p = 0.041). Those with significant PTSD symptoms spent less time exercising (U = 102.5; p = 0.018) and more time sedentary (U = 375; p = 0.027). Physically inactive firefighters scored 5.4 points higher on the PCL-5, 1.5 points more on the K-6, and 5.2 points less on the WHO-5. Participants with PTSD (n = 6) were more sedentary (U = 375.0; p = 0.027) and exercised less (U = 102.5; p = 0.018) compared to those without. Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior could be considered in prevention and treatment programs for psychological distress and PTSD in firefighters.

Aerobic and Postural Strength Exercise Benefits in People with Schizophrenia

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two different types of physical intervention on sedentary behavior and clinical changes in people with schizophrenia. This is a clinical trial including people with schizophrenia in regular outpatient care who realized a 3-month exercise protocol and were separated into two groups: aerobic physical intervention (API) and postural physical intervention (PPI). All participants performed an assessment of (a) functional capacity through a 6 min walk test (6MWT), (b) flexibility using Well's bench, (c) disease severity using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), (d) quality of life using the SF-36 Questionnaire and (e) physical activity using the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ). Thirty-eight patients with schizophrenia completed the intervention (24 patients in API and 14 patients in PPI). Regarding sedentary behavior, there was an improvement in the API group in the time exercising and in the PPI group concerning time in bed, time walking and exercising. Regarding quality of life, there was an improvement in the API group (functional capacity) and in the PPI group, there was an improvement in physical limitation, pain and emotional limitations. In the API group, there was an improvement in BMI (body mass index), diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. Functional capacity was improved only in the PPI group. There was no change in flexibility and disease severity. The study demonstrated a change response in the physical and mental aspects in people with schizophrenia after a change in sedentary behavior.

Autonomous Motivation for Exercise Is Key to an Active Lifestyle in Firefighters.

Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for chronic mental and physical health conditions in firefighters. It remains unclear why a substantial portion of firefighters do not meet the World Health Organization's physical activity (PA) recommendations. In this cross-sectional study, we explored associations between motivational reasons for being physically active and time spent exercising, walking, and in incidental PA in firefighters. A secondary aim was to investigate differences in motivational reasons between physically active versus physically inactive firefighters. Eighty-seven participants (43.1 ± 10.3 years; 87.6% male) who were recruited via a nonprofit peer support network of fire rescue personnel in Flanders, Belgium, completed the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 (BREQ-2), Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), and the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) via an online survey. Firefighters who identified the benefits of exercising and/or those who found pleasure or a personal challenge in it exercised more. Those who did not meet the guideline of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week had much less intrinsic motivation. This study demonstrates that autonomous motives for PA (i.e., because it is perceived to be consistent with intrinsic goals or outcomes and emanates from the self) are important for an active lifestyle in firefighters. Occupational health professionals can foster autonomous motivation in firefighters by focusing on the benefits of exercise, making sure there are a wide range of exercise options available, and supporting initiatives of firefighters within the fire station.

Physical activity counselling in women with HIV/AIDS and suicidal ideation: a secondary analysis of a real-world intervention in Ugandan HIV counselling centres.

people with HIV/AIDS have higher rates of suicidal ideation than the general population. Consequently, HIV counselling settings should implement suicide risk reduction initiatives. Physical activity (PA) counselling could be a relevant add-on intervention. The aim of this secondary analysis from a single-arm pre- and post-study exploring the efficacy of PA counselling for HIV/AIDS patients with mental health problems was to investigate the efficacy of PA counselling on reducing suicidal ideation. out of 41 participants in an 8-week PA counselling intervention, 15 participants reported suicidal ideation. These 15 (15♀, median age=42 years, interquartile range=24 years) participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test -10 (AUDIT-10), and the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) pre- and immediately post-intervention. the prevalence of suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9≥1) dropped to 20% post-intervention, i.e. only three patients with HIV still reported suicidal ideation. Also, following the intervention significant (P<0.05) increases in walking and incidental PA (SIMPAQ) levels, and reductions in depressive and alcohol abuse symptoms were observed. our data demonstrate that PA counselling might be promising in reducing suicidal ideation in most HIV patients in low-resourced settings. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these beneficial findings.

THE CULTURAL ADAPTATION, RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE SIMPLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE IN COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ-T) in patients with common mental disorders.&#x0D; Methods: A total of eighty-one patients (mean age: 40.14±13.05 years) were included in this study. The SIMPAQ-T was used to evaluate the participants' physical activity levels and sedentary behaviors. To be used as descriptive data, DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult was used to evaluate mental health symptomatology. International Physical Activity QuestionnaireShort Form (IPAQ-SF) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were used to test the validity of the questionnaire.&#x0D; Results: The items of the SIMPAQ-T exhibited excellent intercorrelation coefficient (ICC) values (time spent in bed (0.93 (95% CI: 0.90-0.96)), sedentary time 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80-0.92), walking time 0.98 (95% CI: 0.98-0.99), exercise time 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99-0.99), and incidental activity time 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92-0.97)). The SIMPAQ-T was moderately correlated with IPAQ-SF in terms of sedentary (rho=0.641, p=0.001) and walking time (rho=0.564, p=0.001), indicating good construct validity. However, the BPRS had a significant correlation with only the sedentary time of the SIMPAQ (rho=0.246, p=0.022), indicating convergent validity was poor.&#x0D; Conclusion: The SIMPAQ-T is semantically and linguistically adequate to quickly assess physical activity level and sedentary behavior in patients with common mental disorders.

Associations between compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary traumatic stress with lifestyle factors in mental health nurses: A multicenter study from Uganda

PurposeThis cross-sectional study aimed (a) to explore levels of compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and symptoms of burnout among Ugandan mental health nurses working in regional referral hospitals in Uganda during the Covid-19 pandemic, and (b) to investigate associations between compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and symptoms of burnout and sedentary levels, physical activity (PA) levels, sleep quality, and harmful drinking. Material and methodsIn total 108 mental health nurses from 8 regional referral hospitals across Uganda (age = 34.8 ± 10.0 years; 55.6 % female) completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5, (PQoLS-5), the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test – Concise (AUDIT-C). Spearman Rho correlations and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied. ResultsProQOL-5 compassion satisfaction correlated significantly with SIMPAQ walking, PSQI and AUDIT-C, ProQOL-5 burnout with SIMPAQ exercise and PSQI and ProQOL-5 traumatic with SIMPAQ walking and PSQI. Mental health nurses meeting PA guidelines reported higher ProQOL-5 compassion satisfaction and lower ProQOL-5 burnout and traumatic stress than those who did not. Those who reported a poor sleep quality reported significantly less ProQOL-5 compassion satisfaction and higher ProQOL-5 burnout than those who did not. Those who reported harmful drinking patterns reported a significantly lower compassion satisfaction versus those who did not. DiscussionIn mental health nurses, a lower professional quality of life is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. The effectiveness and efficacy of resilience and self-care programs for mental health nurses focusing on unhealthy lifestyle patterns should be explored.

Prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders through physical activity, exercise, and sport

Prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders through physical activity, exercise, and sport

Physical activity and physical fitness in community patients with alcohol use disorders versus matched healthy controls: cross-sectional data from Uganda

In order to develop adequate public health interventions, there is a need to explore whether people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) not requiring inpatient treatment do have compromised physical health and are consequently a population at risk. We cross-sectionally compared physical fitness and physical activity levels in community patients with an AUD with healthy matched controls in Uganda. Fifty community patients (42 men, median age=32.0 years, interquartile range=10.7 years) and 50 age-, gender- and body mass index-matched controls performed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and completed the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ). Differences between groups were assessed with a t-test or Mann Whitney U test when appropriate. Community patients with AUD have significantly lower 6MWT [median=480.0 (interquartile range=109) versus 802.5 (121.2) m, P<0.001], SIMPAQ walking [0 (30.0) min/day versus 35.0 (17.4) min/day, P<0.001], SIMPAQ exercise [0 (1.5) min/day versus 0 (2.5) min/day, P<0.001], and SIMPAQ incidental physical activity [30.0 (50.0) min/day versus 300.0 (315.0) min/day, P<0.001]. A reduced physical fitness and physical inactivity should be considered and assessed in early interventions targeting community patients with AUDs. If left untreated, both might also emerge as important modifiable risk factors for somatic co-morbidity in this population-at-risk.

Less time spent walking and depressive symptoms are associated with more self-perceived disability in primary care patients: a cross-sectional study from Uganda.

Introductionevidence on associations between self-perceived disability and physical activity levels in primary care patients (PCP) in low-income countries is absent. We investigated whether self-perceived disability is associated with physical activity levels while taking into account relevant demographic, social, mental and health parameters and other lifestyle factors in PCP in Uganda.Methodsin this cross-sectional study, patients from two primary care centers in a farming community in central Uganda completed the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS 2), Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support. Somatic co-morbidity and multimorbidity were self-reported or retrieved from medical files. A backward linear regression was performed in order to explain the variance in WHODAS 2 total scores.Resultsin 130 PCP [median (interquartile range) age=47.0 (22.0); 73.1% (n=95) female], older age, less time spent walking (SIMPAQ) and more severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were independent significant predictors of more self-perceived disability (WHODAS 2). The final model explained 44.2% of the variance in WDODAS 2 scores.Conclusionour study demonstrates that self-perceived disability in PCP living in low-resourced settings is associated with older age, physical inactivity and depressive symptoms. Future lifestyle studies in primary care settings should consider targeting both physical and mental health outcomes in order to reduce self-perceived disability in PCP, in particular in older patients.

Mental contrasting and implementation of physical activity intentions in Ugandan primary care patients with mental health problems: A real-world intervention involving support partners

This study explored the efficacy of lay health worker (LHW)-led physical activity (PA) counselling for primary care patients with mental health problems (PCMH) and their support partners. Forty-nine (41♀, median age=47, interquartile range=22) PCMH and 49 support partners [9♀, 31(9)years] participated in once weekly counselling based on the mental contrasting and implementation of intentions framework for 8 weeks. All participants completed the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS 2), while PCMH completed the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) pre- and immediately post-intervention. In PCMH significant (P<0.001) increases in walking, exercising and incidental PA (SIMPAQ) levels, reductions in depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms and improvements in mobility and participation (WHODAS 2) were observed. Perceived support from significant others (MSPSS) significantly increased. In support partners, a significant reduction in time spent sedentary, increase in incidental PA (SIMPAQ) and improvement in the perception of getting alone with others (WHODAS 2) was seen. Our study demonstrates that LHW-led PA counselling is beneficial for PCMH and their support partners. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these positive findings.

Psychosocial Health and Physical Activity in People With Major Depression in the Context of COVID-19.

Introduction: Major depression is a psychiatric disease associated with physical inactivity, which in turn affects mental and physical health. A randomized controlled trial is being implemented to facilitate physical activity in people with major depression. In March 2020, Swiss state authorities temporarily legislated a lockdown to contain the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), which influenced health, behavior and research. The aim of this study was to find out whether data gathered before and during/after the lockdown among in-patients with major depression differ with regard to psychosocial health, physical activity and related attitudes and to establish whether baseline data have been affected by the lockdown.Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis within a randomized controlled trial. Physically inactive, adult in-patients diagnosed with major depression were recruited from four Swiss psychiatric clinics between January 2019 and December 2020. Psychosocial health was measured with questionnaires pertaining to stress, sleep and health-related quality of life. Physical activity was measured with the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire. Explicit attitudes were measured with seven questionnaires pertaining to physical activity-related motivation and volition. Implicit attitudes toward physical activity were captured with a single target implicit association test.Results: The sample consisted of 165 participants (n = 119 before lockdown, n = 46 during/after lockdown). No statistically significant differences were found between in-patients with major depression assessed before and during/after the COVID-19 lockdown with regard to psychosocial health (stress, p = 0.51; sleep, p = 0.70; physical component of health-related quality of life, p = 0.55; mental component of health-related quality of life, p = 0.64), self-reported physical activity (p = 0.16) and explicit as well as implicit attitudes toward physical activity (p = 0.94). Hence, the COVID-19-induced lockdown seems not to have led to group differences.Conclusion: Baseline data gathered in in-patients suffering from major depression who are physically inactive upon admission to in-patient treatment in Switzerland seem to be unaffected by the COVID-19-induced lockdown. To assess changes in said population regarding psychosocial health and physical activity patterns over time, longitudinal data are needed.

Physical activity, physical fitness and quality of life in outpatients with major depressive disorder versus matched healthy controls: Data from a low-income country

BackgroundThere is an urgent need to increase awareness that people with major depressive disorder (MDD) in low-income countries do also have a compromised physical health. We compared physical fitness and physical activity levels in outpatients with MDD with healthy matched controls in Uganda and explored whether the variance in quality of life (QoL) can be explained by the variance in physical fitness and physical activity levels. MethodsFifty outpatients (35 men, median age = 29 years, interquartile range = 14 years) and 50 age, gender and body mass index matched controls performed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), the World Health Organization Quality of Life short-version (WHOQoLBref), Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), and Brief Symptoms Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Differences between groups were assessed with a Mann Whitney U test and backward stepwise multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate independent variables explaining the variance in WHOQoLBref scores. ResultsOutpatients with MDD have significantly lower 6MWT, SIMPAQ walking, SIMPAQ incidental physical activity, physical and psychological WHOQoLBref scores, and significantly higher BSI-18 depression and anxiety scores. BSI-18 depression was the only significant independent predictor of the WHQoLBref physical score explaining 39.7% of the variance, while the 6MWT score remained the only significant independent predictor of the WHQoLBref psychological score explaining 31.7% of the variance. ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that outpatients with MDD in a low-income country are significantly less physically fit and less physically active than the general population. Lower physical fitness levels are also associated with lower QoL levels.

Examining the feasibility, acceptability, validity and reliability of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep measures in people with schizophrenia

BackgroundSchizophrenia is associated with a more than doubled risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Risk factors for CVD include low levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep problems. These risk factors are not systematically assessed by health services. AimsExamine the feasibility, acceptability, validity and reliability of tools measuring physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. MethodsThirty participants with schizophrenia measured their physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep by wearing ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers on their wrist and waist, and recorded their sleep using the SleepBot smartphone app for 7 days. After 7 days they completed the 5-item Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) to retrospectively measure their physical activity and sedentary behaviour over the study period. Concurrent SIMPAQ and SleepBot validity and inter-rater reliability were assessed against accelerometer-derived measures of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. A qualitative interview was conducted at the end of the study to assess acceptability. ResultsThe tools were feasible: 93% of participants provided valid wear-time accelerometry data and 83% provided SleepBot data. The SIMPAQ showed moderate concurrent validity but poor agreement for moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and moderate validity and agreement as a measure of sedentary behaviour. The SleepBot app showed poor concurrent validity and agreement for measures of sleep. The qualitative interviews demonstrated the tools were acceptable. ConclusionMonitoring physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep by accelerometry, smartphone and questionnaire was feasible and acceptable to people with schizophrenia. The SIMPAQ could be a valid and appropriate tool for routine clinical use.

Improving physical health for psychiatric patients detained in a low secure forensic psychiatric unit in the United Kingdom

AimsThis project aimed to improve physical health and to tackle obesity in patients detained in a low secure forensic psychiatric unit.BackgroundPeople suffering from severe and enduring mental health problems have a life expectancy of 15-20 years less than the general population. The main cause of death is cardiovascular disease due to lifestyle factors, such as smoking, substance misuse and obesity.Physical health problems such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease have a knock on effect on motivation, self-esteem and concordance with treatment.Over 60% of the general population and up to 80% of patients detained in forensic psychiatric units in the UK are classed as overweight or obese, with serious consequences to physical health.Southfield Low Secure Unit is a 28 bed unit. Most patients suffer from treatment resistant schizophrenia and are prescribed high doses of antipsychotic medication, some up to 250% of the maximum recommended dose.MethodBaseline data were collected using Body Mass Index (BMI) and Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SPAQ). Following the initial data collection, patients were involved in focus groups, community meetings and a monthly physical health action group. There was input from the care team including psychology, occupational therapy, nursing, catering and security. New activities have been made available such as “physical health and mental health education group”, “rambling group”, “gym sessions”, “patient focus groups” and “walking group”.ResultThis project has been running for 9 months and is ongoing.There has been a modest change in the BMI – initial results ranging from BMI 23.6–42.8kg/m2. Of the initial cohort (n = 14), there has been weight loss (n = 3), weight gain (n = 3) and no change (n = 8).The initial SPAQ results showed that on average patients spend 19.8 hours per day either in bed or doing sedentary activities and only 1.68 hours per day walking or doing physical activities. This pattern is being reassessed.The qualitative data from patient focus groups shows increased interest in activities, motivation and desire to contribute to the project.ConclusionThe preliminary results show an increase in patient motivation and engagement with available activities. There have also been patient-led challenges which were well received. Patients feel positive about the programme and valued for their input. Further support is required to maintain progress.

Differential Physical and Mental Benefits of Physiotherapy Program Among Patients With Schizophrenia and Healthy Controls Suggesting Different Physical Characteristics and Needs.

In contrast to several other severe illnesses marked by inflammation and autoimmunity that now have potent and efficient treatments and even cures, schizophrenia (SCZ) is a disease still associated with poor outcome, incapacity, and social burden. Even after decades of research on the brain and behavior, this illness is still associated with profound effects on both mental health and physical health, with recent studies showing that treatment is more efficient when associating drugs with psychological and physical treatments. Most of the studies measured the effects of physical intervention compared with usual care and demonstrated a positive effect as an add-on treatment. What remains unclear is the different effects of the same intervention in normal subjects in a sample of patients with the illness. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical intervention over motor functional capacity and mental health in patients with SCZ compared with healthy controls (HC). The outcomes were (a) functional capacity [by 6-min walk test (6MWT)], (b) body flexibility index (Wells' bench), (c) disease severity [by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)], (d) quality of life [by 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire], and (e) physical activity [Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ)]. The intervention was associated with significant decrease of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, disease severity, and improvement in daily life activities. Unexpectedly, it was observed that schizophrenics, compared with matched HC, were at a lower level of performance in the beginning, remained below HC over the studied time despite similar physical intervention, and had different changes. The intervention had lower effects over physical capacity and better effects over quality of life and disease severity. The results confirm previous studies comparing patients receiving physical intervention but suggest that they may receive different types of intervention, suited for their different baseline fitness, motivation, and capacity to engage in physical effort over sustained time. Additionally, they point to extended time of intervention of multidisciplinary treatment (physical and psychological–cognitive techniques) to improve outcomes in SCZ.

The efficacy of a lay health workers – led physical activity counselling program in patients with HIV and mental health problems: a real-world intervention from Uganda

ABSTRACT This study explored the efficacy of a lay health worker (LHW)-led physical activity (PA) counselling program for inactive patients with HIV/AIDS and mental health problems living in a Ugandan farming community. In total 49 (35 women) community patients (40.0 ± 11.2 years) followed an 8-week once weekly LHW-led PA counselling program based on a self-determination theory and motivational interviewing framework. Participants completed the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, HIV/AIDS Stress Scale and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS 2) pre- and immediately post-intervention. Small, significant (P < 0.05) effect sizes were found for reductions in HIV/AIDS-related stress (Cohen’s d = 0.26) and in global disability (Cohen’s d = 0.46). Large effect sizes were observed for reductions in time spent sedentary (Cohen’s d = 1.97) and reductions in depressive (Cohen’s d = 2.04) and anxiety (Cohen’s d = 1.47) symptoms and increases in time spent active (Cohen’s d = 1.98). Greater decrease in sedentary time was associated with greater anxiety symptoms reduction (r = 0.32, P = 0.021). In physically inactive patients with HIV/AIDS and mental health problems, an LHW-led PA counselling program reduced stress, anxiety, depression and disability. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary positive findings.