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A recent study investigates whether physical activity can improve well-being and reduce symptoms in the population of an inpatient psychiatric unit.Over recent years, there have been several investigations into the relationship between exercise and mental health.
Studies have shown that physical activity can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in some cases. However, the most recent study takes this effect one step further. The study, carried out by scientists from the University of Vermont in Burlington, investigated how an exercise regime might benefit inpatients at a psychiatric facility.
Inpatient psychiatric populations are complex, comprising individuals with a wide range of conditions and symptoms. When an individual arrives at a facility, doctors usually prescribe psychotropic medications. The patient also receives talking therapies, such as psychotherapy. Doctors monitor and tweak drug and therapy regimes until the patient improves enough to leave their care.
These facilities are often cramped, and patients often find them stressful. Stress can exacerbate mental health conditions, so it is essential to find ways to minimize discomfort and reduce the time people spend in these facilities. Lead author, Prof. David Tomasi, a lecturer, psychotherapist, and inpatient psychiatry group therapist, wants to find ways to improve these facilities and, consequently, improve patient outcomes.
He designed an experiment that combined physical activity with information about healthful nutrition — building a holistic, drug-free intervention.
Building a gym
To investigate, Prof. Tomasi and his colleagues, Sheri Gates and Emily Reyns, installed gym equipment in their inpatient facility, including rowing machines, exercise bikes, and aerobic steps.
In all, they recruited 100 patients to take place in the trial. There was a cross-section of conditions represented in the sample, including bipolar affective disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis.
Each participant carried out 60-minute sessions of structured exercise. According to the authors, “Each 60-minute exercise session consisted [of] a combination of cardiovascular training, resistance training, and flexibility development.”
The researchers also held 60-minute education sessions on nutrition, which explained how to identify food groups and discussed healthful food choices, budgeting, and meal preparation.
To gauge the impact of the gym activity, the researchers gave questionnaires to the participants just before and after the sessions. The surveys asked about levels of self-esteem, mood, and self-image.
A well-being boost
Overall, the findings were encouraging. After completing the bouts of physical activity, 95% of participants showed improvements in mood and self-esteem, compared with the questionnaire scores before the sessions.
Also, 91.8% of participants said that they were happy with how their bodies felt after the sessions. They also reported reductions in depression, anxiety, and anger.