Individual Paper(s)
Incorporating research and practice: The challenges and recommendations of running a behavioural activation and psychoeducation intervention to target metabolic syndrome in inpatients with psychiatric illness
Moninne McCormack
St. John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
Background: People with psychiatric illnesses have increased rates of mortality and
morbidity.
Aims: The “Health and Wellbeing” group aimed to improve physical health and
reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Method: The four
week intervention included two behavioural activation and two psychoeducation
sessions per week. Assessment of participants at baseline (N=82) and six month
follow-up (N=27) included; physical health screen, blood tests, structured
questionnaire, Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and Locus of Control
Questionnaire.
Results: The baseline results indicate that this population have elevated
physical impairments. At follow-up, there was a statistically significant
difference in BMI scores between those who attended ‘four or more’ sessions and
those who did not. Furthermore a relationship between the number of sessions
attended and the amount of exercise undertaken at follow-up was established.
Conclusions: Such
interventions may decrease the risk of metabolic syndrome but for maximum
benefit outpatient sessions and community supports are recommended.
