LIFEHOPE.EU: lifestyle and healthy outcome in physical education.

ABSTRACT

ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY: ● People with severe mental illnesses (SMIs) suffer from health inequities and have a higher mortality rate, resulting from a sedentary lifestyle and a high prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Cognitive deficits due to SMI symptoms may affect their ability to engage in a healthier lifestyle. ● Programmes for a healthier lifestyle with physical activity components may improve mental and physical health for people with SMIs. In order to increase physical activity among this population, a new approach was developed as an integrated part of daily care. ● This programme included a cognitive support in the shape of cognitive adaptation training (CAT) in order to address cognitive impairments, and provided education and individualized support in natural nursing environments to help individuals engage in physical activity (PHYS) and dietary changes (PHYS/CAT). ABSTRACT People with severe mental illness (SMIs) are more prone to physical illnesses, increased mortality and cognitive impairments, all of which negatively influence their daily lives. Physical activity (PHYS) programmes have helped alleviate SMI. LIFEHOPE is an ongoing research project with the purpose of developing a sustainable lifestyle intervention for physical and mental health. PHYS/cognitive adaptation training (CAT) is a newly created lifestyle intervention that provides group education and is based on CAT. It provides individualized support for PHYS and dietary change in a natural nursing environment. The aim of this study was to obtain further knowledge for developing a sustainable lifestyle programme by exploring psychiatric clients' experiences with PHYS and lifestyle habits, which we did by interviewing a local reference group, community mental healthcare users and community mental healthcare workers. Then, we developed a lifestyle programme for people with SMI using information obtained from these focus group interviews. Our results suggest that there is a need for support and education, as well as active interventions, in carrying out PHYS and dietary changes among people with SMIs, and the PHYS/CAT may be a useful strategy.