Physical activity in mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physical activity and general health behaviours as predictors for inpatient psychiatric admission rates among people with mental illness.
IRAS ID
191009
Contact name
Joseph Korge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Trials and research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 11 days
Research summary
There is a stark physical health disparity between those with, and those without, mental illness with life expectancy being up to 20 years shorter for those diagnosed with an enduring psychiatric condition. The proposed study aims to add to a growing body of research into the effects of physical activity in this patient demographic by assessing the relationship between regular exercise and the amount of time spent in acute care. The physical activity levels of up to 80 participants, accessing acute inpatient care at a psychiatric hospital in Oxfordshire, will be quantified using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and attendance audit of physical activity sessions for inpatients in the centre. Lifestyle data such as smoking, water intake, alcohol intake and dietary habits, will also be recorded in order to provide a wider understanding of participants’ health behaviours. Activity and lifestyle variables will then be statistically analysed with each participant’s time (days) admitted to psychiatric inpatient care over the previous calendar year. The primary research question is: Is there a correlation between physical activity and the number of days a person spends in acute mental healthcare per year? Secondary questions include: Is there a relationship between healthy lifestyle and mental health? Does smoking correlate with inpatient mental health care admission? Do patients in acute mental health care become more, or less, active during inpatient admission? The hypothesis is that physical activity and healthy lifestyle have a negative correlation with the need for acute psychiatric inpatient care.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0300
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion