Preferences of physical activity and perception of health behaviour in early psychosis individuals
Poster B127, Friday, October 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Ahmed Jerome Romain1, Christophe Longpré-Poirier1, Marc Tannous1, Amal Abdel-Baki1,2,3; 1University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), 2University of Montreal, 3University Hospital of Montreal (CHUM)
Purpose: To describe physical activity (PA) preferences in early psychosis individuals (EPI) and their perception of advice provided by mental health professionals. Methods: Sixty-six EPI (44 men, mean age 25.18±3.06) completed a survey on their PA preferences (including type, context, supervision, environment) and on the importance given to healthy behaviours in their rehabilitation. The most popular activities were walking (56%), cycling (44%), resistance training (36%), running (32%) and yoga (27%). 32% preferred to be supervised by professionals, 32% did not want supervision. 32% preferred to exercise alone, 30% did not have preference. Then, 53% preferred outdoor activities or did not have preference for indoor activities (19%). Participants considered the development or maintenance of healthy behaviours as important as the improvement of their mental health (62%), employment (59%), social support (59%) and lodging (57%). Regarding their nutrition, most of participants considered as important or very important advices given by their social worker (63%), nurse (59%) and psychiatrist (65%). The same pattern were observed for PA (social worker: 61%; nurse: 69%; psychiatrist: 68%) but was slightly lower for tobacco (social worker: 42%; nurse: 45%; psychiatrist: 47%). Conclusion: The preferences in the type and context of PA should be considered in the development of PA interventions to improve long-term adherence. Mental health professionals may have an important role in the promotion of healthy behaviours since EPI value their advices and consider this area of their well-being as being as important as their mental health or their social and occupational functioning.
Topic Area: Psychosocial Interventions