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‘Join The Walk?’: Short-Term and Follow-up Effects of a 10-Week Walking Intervention in Patients with a Mental Disorder

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Purpose This study investigated the short-term and follow-up effects of a 10-week walking intervention on physical fitness, physical activity, anxiety and depression in patients with a mental disorder. Method A 2 × 3 repeated measures design was used, with condition (intervention/control) as between-subject variable. Participants in both conditions (intervention, n = 91; control, n = 44) were adult members of the Flemish federation for Sports and Recreation in Mental Health Care. They were diagnosed with a mental disorder such as mood (44.4%), psychotic (28.7%) and/or anxiety disorder (21.3%). Physical fitness, physical activity, anxiety and depression levels were assessed before (pre) and after (post) the intervention and six months later (follow-up). The intervention was based on Self-Determination Theory and embedded in existing associations of the Flemish federation for Sports and Recreation in Mental Health Care. Participants in the intervention received a personalized pedometer-based walking schedule, a weekly group walk and guidance by a walking coach. Results There were no significant interaction effects between time and condition for any of the outcomes. However, from pre to post, self-reported physical activity increased significantly across conditions (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings suggest that patients with a mental disorder who engage in a physical activity intervention study, increase their self-reported physical activity levels at short term. ClinicalTrialsID: NCT02079012.
Journal: Mental Health and Physical Activity
ISSN: 1755-2966
Volume: 12
Pages: 73 - 82
Publication year:2017
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:1
CSS-citation score:1
Authors from:Higher Education
Accessibility:Closed