“Sit less, Move more”: Impact on the depression symptoms of adults with severe mental illness.


Oral

Abstract Overview

Background: Twenty-five percent of the population worldwide will experience a severe mental illness (SMI) during their lifetime. Replacing daily sedentary behaviour (SB) with physical activity (PA) can be fundamental to promote the well-being, mental health, and quality of life of adults with SMI. However, effective interventions aiming to reduce SB in adults with SMI are scarce.

Purpose: To assess the impact of a “sit less, move more” intervention on the depression symptoms, SB, and PA of adults with SMI as part of their rehabilitation.

Methods: Randomized Clinical Trial. Adults with SMI (39.8 years) were allocated to a control (n=29; 74,2% males, usual care) or intervention group (n=31; 48.3% males; Sit less, Move more). The intervention (n=16 weeks) organized “groups of friends” to meet up for regular city walks combined with social activities and individual home-based exercises. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) assessed depressive symptoms. ActivPALs™ assessed daily total sitting time, sitting time spent on bouts of different lengths, total time spent in light and moderate-to vigorous PA (MVPA). Mann-Whitney U Tests assessed group differences between baseline and at 3-months follow-up.

Results: 29 adults with SMI (93%) completed the intervention (75% adherence to the “sit less, move more” activities). Compared to the control group, scores for depressive symptoms were reduced from 13 to 6.5 (p = 0.003) from baseline to follow up, while time spent in MVPA (+11.3 min/day; 95% CI 3.7 – 18.9; size effect 0.64) and sedentary time spent in short bouts (<20') were significantly increased (+40.9 min/day; 95% CI 19.5 – 72.3; effect size 0.78).

Conclusions: Reducing SB throughout the day can reduce the severity of depressive symptoms of adults with SMI.

Practical implications: Mental Health Care Centres would benefit from adding “sit less, move more” interventions in their rehabilitation services.

Funding: AGAUR 2015 DI 024.

Additional Authors

Name: Anna Puig-Ribera
Affiliation: Sport and Physical Activity Research Group; IRIS-CC; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia.
Presenting Author: yes
Name: Josep Manel Santos-López
Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Vic University Hospital, Vic, Spain.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Anna Guardia-Sancho
Affiliation: Osonament – Osona Psychopedagogical Medical Center, Vic, Spain.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Eva Cirera
Affiliation: Sport and Physical Activity Research Group; IRIS-CC; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia
Presenting Author: no

Delegate Media Consent

ISPAH respects your privacy and is committed to using event photographs and videos responsibly. We capture media to showcase the value of our activities through various channels, such as our website, social media, and newsletters. Please review the consent details below, with the option to opt out at any time. If you would like to know more about how ISPAH responsibly manages your privacy please view our Privacy Statement.

Purpose: ISPAH would like to capture photographs and videos during the workshops for promotional and communication purposes, including sharing content on our website, social media, newsletters, and other related materials.

Usage:

  • Photographs and videos may be edited and used in ISPAH publications, promotional materials, and online.
  • Your personal details (e.g., name, affiliation) will not be shared unless explicitly consented to in a separate agreement.

Opt-Out Option: You have the right to opt out at any time. Please notify the photographer or videographer at the event, and we will ensure that no images or videos of you are used

Confirmation *