Effects of B-Active2 on Balance, Gait, Stress, and Well-Being of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability: A Controlled Trial.

Effects of B-Active2 (Enjoy Being Physically Active by Walking Safely: A Leisure Education Program) on the risk of falls, stress, and well-being of a sample of 44 adults with ASD (ages M = 36.88; SD =7.31) were examined using a controlled experimental trial. Given the relationship between physical activity and stress reduction to individual well-being, B-Active2 was developed as a multidimensional program involving leisure education and walking designed to create an enjoyable context in which adults with ASD learn about and engage in physical activity. All participants were evaluated on balance, gait, well-being, and stress at baseline and at 1 month postintervention by a team of therapists blind to study objectives. There was a significant difference postintervention on balance, F(1, 40) = 55.63, p < .001, η2 = .58; gait, F(1, 40) = 23.58, p < .001, η 2 =.37; and well-being, F(1, 40) = 34.16, p < .001, η 2 = .47). No statistically significant effect was found for level of stress reduction, F(1, 40) = 0.27, n.s. Results of this study support the conclusion that B-Active2 is a viable leisure education program that promotes physical activity of adults with ASD and has positive effects on their well-being and risk of falls.

Humanization in mental health plans in Spain. / La humanización en los planes de salud mental en España.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health (MH) care has important challenges, especially in the field of humanization. Our objectives were to identify the humanization measures in MH plans of the Spanish autonomous communities (CCAA) and the priorities to be developed in this area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A large and multidisciplinary group of people involved in MH care participated in a consensus, according to a modified Delphi method, based on «design thinking¼, in three phases: (1) identification of humanization measures in MH plans of CCAA; (2) analysis of the implementation of these measures; and (3) identification of humanization priorities in MH. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 17 CCAA have current MH plans. They contained four types of humanization measures: (1) improvement of the quality of care; (2) promotion of user participation; (3) campaigns against stigma and discrimination; (4) caring for especially vulnerable people. Implementation of measures ranged from 6.3% (i.e.: specific budget) to 100%, with an average of 64.1%. We identified priority issues, operationalized in 5 proposals: (1) information campaigns; (2) multidisciplinary meeting forums; (3) platforms of support entities; (4) strategies on MH education; (5) humanization in study plans. CONCLUSIONS: Some MH plans include humanization among their objectives, but partially. The implementation of humanization proposals such as those identified in this study is essential to achieve a high-quality MH care.