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'Mind and Body': a lifestyle programme for people on antipsychotic medication |
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| Authors: | Amanda Jones BSc MND APD Anthony Benson Bphysio Sarah Griffith RPN Michael Berk MBBCh MMed FF SA FRANZCP PhD Seetal Dodd BSc DipEd MSc PhD |
| Affiliation: | Dietitian,;Physiotherapist,;Community Psychiatric Nurse, Barwon Health, Community and Mental Health, Torquay, Vic, Australia; Professor of Psychiatry, Barwon Health, Community and Mental Health, Torquay, Vic;Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Geelong, Vic;Orygen Research Centre, Parkville, Vic and Mental Health Research Institute, Parkville, Vic, Australia; Senior Fellow, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Geelong, Vic, and Research Academic, Barwon Health, Community and Mental Health, Torquay, Vic, Australia |
| Abstract: | Rationale Psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and their treatments have consequences in terms of lifestyle, diet and weight. Aims and objectives 'Mind and Body' is a 10-week programme of weekly sessions aimed to improve the health status of people treated with second generation antipsychotic medications. Methods The programme focuses on a range of lifestyle strategies including diet and exercise and was conducted at a Community Health Centre by professionally qualified staff. Between 2002 and 2006, 50 participants enrolled in, and 30 completed the programme. Measures of body weight, health status (Short Form-36) and blood markets (plasma glucose, haemoglobin A1c and lipid profile) were collected at commencement and completion of the programme. Results A modest improvement was demonstrated in mean values for the majority of measures collected. Conclusions A lifestyle program for people treated with antipsychotic medications is achievable and may be worthwhile although gains may be modest. |
| Keywords: | antipsychotic medication lifestyle program mental health |