Physical Activity for People With Behavioral Diagnoses

Our aims are to 1) test that our intervention that can be measured with high fidelity. 2) determine the feasibility of the intervention including recruitment, procedures, measures, intervention acceptability and resources . 3)We will also test the outcomes of this 14-week fitness and wellness program based at a YMCA Healthy Living Center to gauge the effects of exercise and activity on patients with behavioral diagnoses including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. We also want to explore the influence of participating in such a program on the perceptions of mental illness among rehabilitation sciences students.

Our hypotheses are 1) that a fitness and activity program using physical activity, group discussion, and education delivered in a fitness facility will reduce anxiety and depression and strengthen hope, self-esteem, and improve overall quality of life; and 2) that student perceptions of mental illness will improve after participating in such a fitness and activity program.

Research Questions:

How does a program of exercise and activity influence the physical health of people with behavioural diagnoses as it relates to venous blood plasma measures of haemoglobin, cholesterol, lipids, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins; height, weight, abdominal girth, blood pressure and heart rate; strength; and capacity for physical activity? How does a program of exercise and activity influence the psychosocial health of people with behavioural diagnoses as it relates to measures of hope, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem? How does a program of exercise and activity influence occupational performance and satisfaction of people with a behavioural diagnoses? How does a program of exercise and activity influence quality of life for people with a behavioral diagnoses ? How does participating in a program of exercise and activity influence the overall perceptions of people with behavioural diagnoses? What is the feasibility and fidelity of this 14-week intervention? How does being part of a program of exercise and activity for people with behavioural diagnoses influence perceptions of rehabilitation sciences students about mental illness?

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:

This follow up study involves a group of up to ten past participants recruited from patients being treated by the OU-Tulsa IMPACT Team. We will conduct interviews and baseline measures to compare to past progress. This study will serve to inform future cohorts for the original study protocol.

PROPOSED PROCEDURE:

Assessments include biophysical markers of health, self-reported psychosocial measures, and records of exercise and activity. Specifically, we will measure:

Cholesterol, lipids, and glucose/ A1C via blood specimens collected as a routine part of the patient's care Height and weight via stadiometer and digital scale, abdominal girth (the narrowest point between the xiphoid process and the navel) using a Gulick tape measure.

Blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer & heart rate by counting the pulse for 60 seconds using a digital timer Cardiovascular endurance via the three-minute step test Depression via the PHQ9 scale Anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test Interview/Focus Group Mental Illness Clinician Attitude Scale (MICA) This brief follow up study will assess participants who are one year out from the program or more. The study will take place in their residence and include the measures stated above and an interview. Researchers want to understand how the program is beneficial after one year and what can be improved to maintain benefits if any. Findings will be used to adjust the original protocol if needed to continue the original study. The assessments and interviews will be completed by researchers and occupational and physical therapy students under the supervision of their faculty. In addition, participants will be offered educational materials to help resume healthy habits.

Inclusion criteria

All study participants will be over the age of 21 and will include women and likely some individuals who report minority status with a mental health diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

Under the age of 21 or who are not psychologically stable in the last month