Moving Towards Wellness: Physical activity practices, perspectives, and preferences of users of outpatient mental health service

Carol A Janney; Kathryn Fant Brzoznowski; Caroline R Richardson; Richard R Dopp; Michelle L Segar; Dara Ganoczy; Ann J Mooney; Lauren Emerson; Marcia Valenstein

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.07.004

Moving Towards Wellness: Physical activity practices, perspectives, and preferences of users of outpatient mental health service

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2017 Nov:49:63-66. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.07.004.

Authors

Carol A Janney¹, Kathryn Fant Brzoznowski², Caroline R Richardson³, Richard R Dopp⁴, Michelle L Segar⁵, Dara Ganoczy⁶, Ann J Mooney⁷, Lauren Emerson⁸, Marcia Valenstein⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Midland Campus, 4611 Campus Ridge Drive, Midland, MI 48670, USA; Department of Veteran Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: carol.janney@hc.msu.edu.
² Patient and Family Centered Care Advisory Committee, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd NCRC B16-242E, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: kef@umich.edu.
³ Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, 1018 Fuller St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1213, USA. Electronic address: caroli@umich.edu.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 9D 9812 UH SPC 5120 (RRD), Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: dopp@umich.edu.
⁵ Sport, Health, and Activity Research and Policy Center, University of Michigan, 204 S State St, 1251 Lane Hall, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: fitness@umich.edu.
⁶ Department of Veteran Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: dara.ganoczy@va.gov.
⁷ Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: ajmooney@umich.edu.
⁸ Department of Veteran Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: lemerson@med.umich.edu.
⁹ Department of Veteran Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd NCRC B16-242E, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: marciav@umich.edu.

PMID: 29122150
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.07.004

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the beliefs, barriers and preferences for physical activity (PA) among users of outpatient mental health (MH) services. Outpatient discussions with MH providers were also evaluated.

Method: Between September-December 2014, patient advisors approached adult and family members in an academic MH clinic's waiting room on high volume patient visit days during peak clinic hours; 83% participated in the survey. Analyses were restricted to MH services users (n=295).

Results: Fully 84% of respondents reported a link between PA and their mood or anxiety level and 85% wanted to be more active. Less than half currently met US PA guidelines (≥150min/week). Most (52%) reported their mood limited their involvement in PA. Only 37% reported their MH providers regularly discussed PA with them. Beliefs about the benefits of physical activity (p<0.0001), mood limiting their ability to be physically active (p=0.03), and wanting to be more physically active (p=0.02) were significant predictors of PA (min/week) in the multivariate linear regression model.

Conclusions: Most MH outpatients may need and want assistance in increasing PA. Patient-centered research could inform the development of PA programs in MH settings.

Keywords: Anxiety; Attitudes; Depression; Exercise; Patient-centered care; Preferences.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Affect / physiology*
Ambulatory Care / statistics & numerical data*
Anxiety / physiopathology*
Exercise / physiology*
Family
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Surveys / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
Patient Preference / statistics & numerical data*