Promoting physical activity in schizophrenia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Testing an intervention to increase physical activity in schizophrenia: A feasibility and acceptability study
IRAS ID
185550
Contact name
Lily McNamee
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 8 days
Research summary
People with schizophrenia experience disproportionate rates of preventable morbidity and premature mortality primarily caused by cardiovascular disease related to unhealthy lifestyles. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of many health problems, including cardiovascular disease, but physical activity levels are low in people with schizophrenia. Walking is an easy and free way to increase physical activity.
We will undertake a pilot study to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed intervention to increase walking in people with schizophrenia. The intervention will include a pedometer to count steps, weekly step targets and a behaviour change booklet that will consist of four sections: (i) increasing motivation, (ii) social support, (iii) action and coping planning (iv) step diaries to record step counts.
The pilot study, which will last for 3 months, will recruit 20 participants who are outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Participants will receive regular motivational telephone calls. The researcher will provide feedback, general encouragement/motivation and answer questions the participant may have. Participants will be encouraged to involve their friends/family. Group meetings between participants will be facilitated.Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention will be measured by: detailing how many eligible participants agree to take part and how many agree but drop-out (and reasons for drop out). We will record the length of time for each phone call and visit to each participant and record any missing data from the step diaries and the
reasons given for these missing data.We will determine acceptability by collating data from a participant feedback form, to determine the acceptability of the intervention to participants.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
15/SS/0192
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion