Marais Belinda S
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
S Afr J Psychiatr. 2024 Apr 30;30:2227. doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2227. eCollection 2024.
People living with mental illness (PWMI) have significantly reduced life expectancy compared to the general population, yet mental healthcare providers (MHCPs) do not regularly prescribe exercise, despite its proven health benefits.
This study aimed to evaluate South African MHCPs' views regarding exercise for PWMI.
A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted across five public sector specialised psychiatric units in Gauteng.
Mental healthcare providers were surveyed using the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire - Health Professionals Version.
Most participants were nurses (49.1%) and doctors (26.2%) and reported no prior formal training in exercise prescription (79.4%). The vast majority (up to 89.7%) agreed regarding the physical benefits of exercise, particularly cardiometabolic benefits. The most common barriers, as perceived by MHCPs, to exercise participation for PWMI were: stigma (56.5%) and medication side effects (56.5%). The majority (76.2%) reported prescribing exercise for PWMI at least 'occasionally'. The method most frequently used was personal discussion (77.3%) and aerobic exercise was most frequently recommended (81.0%). Specific instructions regarding physical activity recommendations however were often not provided. Regarding MHCPs personal exercise habits, only a third (34%) met physical activity guidelines. Most MHCPs (92.1%) indicated an interest in further training regarding exercise for PWMI.
Mental healthcare providers were supportive of exercise for PWMI. Strategies to address the stigma around mental illness and medication side-effects, to improve training regarding exercise prescription, as well as the exercise habits of MHCPs themselves, and collaboration with exercise professionals and organisations are recommended.
This study provides insight into the views of South African MHCPs regarding exercise for PWMI.
与普通人群相比，患有精神疾病的人（PWMI）预期寿命显著缩短，然而，尽管运动已被证明对健康有益，但精神卫生保健提供者（MHCPs）却不经常开运动处方。
本研究旨在评估南非精神卫生保健提供者对患有精神疾病的人进行运动的看法。
在豪登省的五个公共部门专门精神病科进行的横断面描述性研究。
使用《精神疾病运动问卷 - 卫生专业人员版》对精神卫生保健提供者进行调查。
大多数参与者是护士（49.1%）和医生（26.2%），并且报告没有先前关于运动处方的正规培训（79.4%）。绝大多数人（高达89.7%）认同运动对身体的益处，特别是对心脏代谢的益处。精神卫生保健提供者认为，患有精神疾病的人参与运动最常见的障碍是：耻辱感（56.5%）和药物副作用（56.5%）。大多数人（76.2%）报告至少“偶尔”为患有精神疾病的人开运动处方。最常使用的方法是个人讨论（77.3%），最常推荐的是有氧运动（81.0%）。然而，关于身体活动建议的具体指导往往没有提供。关于精神卫生保健提供者个人的运动习惯，只有三分之一（34%）符合身体活动指南。大多数精神卫生保健提供者（92.1%）表示有兴趣接受关于为患有精神疾病的人进行运动的进一步培训。
精神卫生保健提供者支持为患有精神疾病的人进行运动。建议采取策略来消除围绕精神疾病的耻辱感和药物副作用，改善关于运动处方的培训，以及精神卫生保健提供者自身的运动习惯，并与运动专业人员和组织开展合作。
本研究深入了解了南非精神卫生保健提供者对为患有精神疾病的人进行运动的看法。
