Literature on peer-based community physical activity programmes for mental health service users: a scoping review

Peer Intervention in Obesity and Physical Activity: Effectiveness and Implementation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper reports the effectiveness of peer intervention in physical activity and obesity, with a focus on implementation. Peer intervention is a parallel method to traditional professional clinical processes, often targeting hard to reach populations. It includes peer education, peer counseling and peer support.

RECENT FINDINGS

There were ten reviews on Physical Activity and seven on Obesity. Six reviews on obesity had mainly positive results; one on obesity in mental health was more negative. About two-thirds of reviews of Physical Activity interventions had positive outcomes. The overall effect was moderate. There were 39 single studies on Obesity and 46 on Physical Activity. 36% of Obesity studies and 13% of Physical Activity studies were from developing countries. Three single studies from developing countries and three from developed countries were elaborated. The extensively described implementation program was from a developed country. Discussion of limitations and strengths led to recommendations for implementation and evaluation. Overall, peer intervention in both obesity and physical activity showed quite strong evidence of effectiveness. Had all studies followed the implementation/evaluation recommendations, the strength of evidence might have been better. Future research should focus on cost-effectiveness and long-term follow-up.

Gym and swim: a co-facilitated exercise program that improves community connection, confidence, and exercise habits in a community mental health service

High rates of cardiometabolic disease and poor physical health outcomes contribute to significant premature mortality in people living with severe mental illness (PLWSMI). Lifestyle interventions such as exercise are known to improve both physical and mental health outcomes, however the best way to deliver exercise programs for PLWSMI remains a challenge. This paper uses a pragmatic program evaluation of a co-delivered low-cost community-based exercise program implemented over a 6-month period. Of 46 referrals in the first half of 2023 to the SLHD Gym and Swim program, 13 gave consent to participate in standardised measures and qualitative interviews. Findings revealed an increase in average hours of sport/exercise, improvements in confidence to exercise independently and within group settings, as well as achievement of individualised goals. The success of the program was in part due to the co-facilitation between peer support workers and exercise physiologists, community connection and the established partnership between the public health service and the local government council. Results offer evidence to adopt and implement accessible and low-cost exercise opportunities in the community external to health services to address barriers of attendance for PLWSMI.

How to Encourage Continuous Use of Fitness Apps among Female Users?

The proportion of women engaging in insufficient physical activity is higher than that of men, and they may face greater barriers. Fitness apps, as effective tools for behavior change, can significantly promote active physical activity among women. Notably, women constitute over 60% of fitness app users. However, few studies have focused on the reasons behind the continuous use of fitness apps by female users. This study investigates the impact of different perceived values on the satisfaction and continuance intention of female fitness app users. A total of 395 female fitness app users from Guangzhou, China, participated in this study. The results indicate that hedonic value (β = 0.190, p < 0.001), utilitarian value (β = 0.171, p = 0.007), and health value (β = 0.440, p < 0.001) significantly and positively influence the satisfaction of female fitness app users. However, only utilitarian value (β = 0.135, p = 0.018) and health value (β = 0.436, p < 0.001) have a significant positive impact on the continuance intention, while hedonic value (β = 0.028, p = 0.547) does not. Additionally, satisfaction mediates the relationship between utilitarian and health values and continuance intention. Therefore, the design of fitness apps should prioritize helping female users achieve utilitarian and health values rather than overemphasizing hedonic-value-related content.

Musical and psychomotor interventions for cognitive, sensorimotor, and cerebral decline in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (COPE): a study protocol for a multicentric randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Regular cognitive training can boost or maintain cognitive and brain functions known to decline with age. Most studies administered such cognitive training on a computer and in a lab setting. However, everyday life activities, like musical practice or physical exercise that are complex and variable, might be more successful at inducing transfer effects to different cognitive domains and maintaining motivation. "Body-mind exercises", like Tai Chi or psychomotor exercise, may also positively affect cognitive functioning in the elderly. We will compare the influence of active music practice and psychomotor training over 6 months in Mild Cognitive Impairment patients from university hospital memory clinics on cognitive and sensorimotor performance and brain plasticity. The acronym of the study is COPE (Countervail cOgnitive imPairmEnt), illustrating the aim of the study: learning to better "cope" with cognitive decline.

METHODS

We aim to conduct a randomized controlled multicenter intervention study on 32 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients (60-80 years), divided over 2 experimental groups: 1) Music practice; 2) Psychomotor treatment. Controls will consist of a passive test-retest group of 16 age, gender and education level matched healthy volunteers. The training regimens take place twice a week for 45 min over 6 months in small groups, provided by professionals, and patients should exercise daily at home. Data collection takes place at baseline (before the interventions), 3, and 6 months after training onset, on cognitive and sensorimotor capacities, subjective well-being, daily living activities, and via functional and structural neuroimaging. Considering the current constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment and data collection takes place in 3 waves.

DISCUSSION

We will investigate whether musical practice contrasted to psychomotor exercise in small groups can improve cognitive, sensorimotor and brain functioning in MCI patients, and therefore provoke specific benefits for their daily life functioning and well-being.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The full protocol was approved by the Commission cantonale d'éthique de la recherche sur l'être humain de Genève (CCER, no. 2020-00510) on 04.05.2020, and an amendment by the CCER and the Commission cantonale d'éthique de la recherche sur l'être humain de Vaud (CER-VD) on 03.08.2021. The protocol was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (20.09.2020, no. NCT04546451).

Embedding Physical Activity into Community-Based Peer Support Groups for those Severely Affected by Mental Illness

Despite a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of community-based physical activity interventions for mental health, there is a lack of studies that focus on those affected by severe mental illness (SMI), who often experience poorer physical health, and are less physically active than the wider population. The use of peer support groups in this context is also understudied, despite benefits being documented in other contexts. This study examined the impact and process of a nationwide project to embed physical activity into peer support groups for those affected by SMI. Following the embedding of physical activity within peer support groups, interviews and focus groups were conducted to explore the experiences of those involved with the project and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The key findings related to: 1) the social aspects of embedding physical activity in the groups; 2) the focus on peer support and informal physical activity (rather than organised sport) being beneficial; 3) doing things differently and lessons to learn; and 4) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, we found that peer support is an important feature to include in projects encouraging those severely affected by mental illness to become more physically active.

Promoting physical activity for mental health: an updated evidence review and practical guide

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to provide psychiatrists with the knowledge, tools and guidance to support physical activity promotion in clinical practice. The review also aims to provide an up-to-date summary of the evidence regarding physical activity in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders in adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is emerging evidence demonstrating that physical activity can protect against incident anxiety and depression. There is robust evidence showing that physical activity is an effective adjunct treatment strategy for depressive disorders and anxiety and stress-related disorders, with emerging evidence for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Translation of this evidence into practice is in general ad hoc, and large physical health disparities for people with mental disorders persist. The reasons for this are multifactorial, and include the intersection of social, economic and personal barriers to physical activity. Evidence-based approaches include regular screening of physical activity levels, staff culture change within mental health services and established referral pathways.

SUMMARY

Translation of evidence regarding physical activity for mental health into routine programmes is critical. Efforts to move beyond solely targeting individual-level barriers to physical activity and address systemic barriers include lack of access to appropriate exercise services. This requires consideration of training needs, service structure and culture change.

School climate-related determinants of physical activity among high school girls and boys

INTRODUCTION

In the United States, physical activity (PA) among adolescents is declining; 75% of high school students do not meet daily PA guidelines. Low rates of PA are more prevalent among high school girls. Schools provide an optimal environment to target and promote PA. However, school climate has not yet been studied for its importance in promoting PA among high school students, particularly girls.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Georgia Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2.0 data on perceptions of different school climate measures and self-reported weekly PA levels to study gender differences in the association of PA with school climate.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 362,926 students (48% males and 52% females) were analyzed. For both genders, the odds of being physically active increased with a more positive report of supportive school environments, school connectedness, peer social support, school physical environments, cultural acceptance, school safety, and adult social support. Peer victimization was associated with increased odds of PA among females but lower odds for males.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that improving school climate can increase PA among adolescents. As new or existing school-based interventions and policies are considered by states and local governments, improving the school climate should be part of the overall strategy. Future research is needed on peer victimization among physically active females.

IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

This study evaluated gender differences in the association between measures of school climate and PA among high school students. School climate or policies fostering positive environments including feelings of safety, connectedness, and peer support may increase adolescent PA; addressing peer victimization and fights may reduce gender disparities in PA.

Linking Emotional Intelligence, Physical Activity and Aggression among Undergraduates

Several indicators are strongly related to health and well-being in university students, such as emotional intelligence and physical activity. At the same time, some qualities threaten it and are incompatible with students’ adaptation to society in general, such as aggressive behaviours. The aim of this research is to analyse the relationship established between emotional intelligence using TMMS-24, physical activity, using IPAQ, and aggression behaviours in university students. For this purpose, a descriptive, cross-sectional and non-experimental study was developed with 932 undergraduates (M = 20.55; SD = 3.673). The findings highlight how emotional intelligence and physical activity practice decrease violent behaviour in university students. In addition, men tend to have more aggressive behaviours than women as well as the relation between physical activity and emotional intelligence is stronger in all its dimensions. Results highlight the importance of including emotional intelligence programs in order to enable undergraduate well-being.