Peter Gallagher1,2, Aisling McClenaghan1,3, Mary Clarke1,3,4,5; 1DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland., 2Saint John of God Hospitaller Ministries, Dublin, Ireland., 3Saint John of God Community Services, Dublin, Ireland., 4University College Dublin, Ireland., 5Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Physical health is becoming more important in mental health care partly due to the physiological and metabolic effects of some anti-psychotic medications and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as reduced physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior (Williams et al, 2016). Aim; The aim of this study was to evaluate a 12 week healthy activity programme, including simple dietary advice and cookery demonstrations, for people with mental health difficulties, whose healthcare professionals had referred them due to concerns regarding their unhealthy lifestyles. Methods; This was a mixed methods pre and post study. Participants were 35 patients who attended a community mental health service and had mental health difficulties allied with an unhealthy lifestyle. The primary outcome measure was the level of physical activity using the EPIC-Norfolk Physical Activity Questionnaire (epaq2), quality of life (EQ5D), levels of self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and levels of anxiety Hospital and Depression Scale (HADS). A qualitative interview from an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis perspective, explored 8 participants’ experiences. Results; There was a significant improvement in the mean MET activity levels of 129%, and significant improvements on Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, HADS and EQ5D visual scale. There was a small reduction in mean BMI of 0.44 which was statistically significant. Qualitative findings revealed the Superordinate theme “Increased self-confidence and self-esteem” supported by themes ‘Reduction of isolation’ and ‘Reduction of perceived stigma’. Conclusion; The healthy lifestyles changes promoted by this programme significantly improved activity levels. The qualitative findings included increased self-confidence and self-esteem in participants.
