Effects of Physical Activity Intervention for Chinese People With Severe Mental Illness

Abstract

Purpose: This research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) intervention model for people with severe mental illness in a Chinese society. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted in this study. In addition to treatment-as-usual (TAU), the treatment group ( n = 52) participated in a supervised jogging activity twice a week for a total of eight sessions, followed by four sessions of psychoeducation on nutrition and personal appearance. The control group ( n = 42) received TAU. Standardized assessment tools were used for the outcomes assessment at pre- and posttreatment. Results: 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of covariance demonstrated that the treatment group was significantly more effective than the control group in reducing depressive symptoms and increasing self-esteem and social support. Conclusions: This study supports the effectiveness of a PA intervention model in a Chinese society, suggesting the importance of incorporating regular physical exercises into community-based mental health services.