CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING A 1 HOUR WEEKLY WALK ACTIVITY AND ASSESSING SELF-ESTEEM WITHIN RESIDENTIAL PSYCHIATRIC...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Patients with psychotic disorders exhibit low physical activity levels.
• Limited data exists on exercise program implementation and physical health evaluation in inpatient psychiatric settings.
• This study addresses the need for research in this area within a closed psychosis unit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility of a weekly 1-hour walk activity for inpatients with psychotic disorders.
• To assess the impact of the activity on self-esteem.
• To evaluate the challenges in conducting comprehensive assessments within this population.

Main Methods:

• A 24-week study involving a supervised weekly walk (3 km or 5 km options) in a closed psychosis unit.
• Inclusion of 64 evaluated inpatients at the Gaudi unit in Mons, Belgium.
• Planned assessments included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and qualitative evaluations.

Main Results:

• The average walk participation rate was 59.86% over 24 weeks.
• The 3 km circuit was the most preferred walking option.
• Low completion rates for RSES (10/64) and qualitative evaluations (6/64) indicated assessment challenges.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a weekly walk activity in a closed psychosis unit is feasible.
• Integrating comprehensive physical and psychological assessment protocols proved difficult.
• Future research requires adapting assessment methods to be more suitable for psychiatric inpatients.