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Physical activity linked to mood, anxiety levels
Most individuals seeking outpatient mental health care reported their mood and anxiety levels were linked to physical activity.
“Physical activity has been shown to be effective in alleviating mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety. Current physical activity guidelines advise at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week to promote mental and physical health, yet many of those surveyed weren't meeting these recommendations,” Carol Janney, PhD, of Michigan State University, said in a press release. “Offering physical activity programs inside the mental health clinics may be one of many patient-centered approaches that can improve the mental and physical health of patients.”
To determine beliefs, barriers and preferences for physical activity among individuals and providers in outpatient mental health services, researchers surveyed 295 adults and family members in an academic mental health clinic waiting room on high volume patient days during peak clinic hours.
Overall, 84% of participants reported that physical activity was associated with their mood and anxiety level. Eighty-five percent wanted to be more active.
Less than half of the cohort met U.S. physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
Thirty-seven percent of participants reported their mental health providers regularly discussed physical activity with them.
Significant predictors of physical activity included beliefs about physical activity benefits (P < .0001), mood limiting their ability to be active (P = .03), and wanting to be more physically active (P = .02), according to multivariate linear regression model.
“Mental health providers such as psychiatrists and therapists may not have the necessary training to prescribe physical activity as part of their mental health practice,” Janney said in the release. “But by teaming up with certified personal trainers or other exercise programs, it may help them prescribe or offer more recommendations for physical activity in the clinic setting.” – by Amanda Oldt
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.