A call to action: exercise as treatment for patients with mental illness
Robert Stanton A F , Simon Rosenbaum B C , Megan Kalucy C D , Peter Reaburn E and Brenda Happell A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Mental Health Nursing Innovation, Institute for Health and Social Science Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Central Queensland University, Bruce Highway, North Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
B The George Institute for Global Health and School of Public Health, University of Sydney, 321 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
C School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
D South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Health Service, Bondi Junction Community Health Centre, 26 Llandaff Street, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022, Australia.
E School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bruce Highway, North Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: r.stanton@cqu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(2) 120-125 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14054
Submitted: 21 March 2014 Accepted: 1 July 2014 Published: 18 July 2014
Abstract
Mental illness affects the lives of a significant number of Australians. In addition to pharmacological and psychological interventions, exercise has demonstrated benefits for people with mental illness including symptom reduction, improved cardiovascular risk profile and improved physical capacity. Unfortunately, evidence shows that clinician-delivered exercise advice is not routinely offered. This is despite patient acceptability for exercise. This article summarises the recent evidence supporting the prescription of exercise for people with mental illness and offers a model incorporating basic exercise prescription, and referral pathways for specialised advice. Current exercise prescription patterns for people with mental illness may not meet patient expectations; therefore, clinicians should consider exercise referral schemes to increase the accessibility of interventions for people with a mental illness.
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