Authors (including presenting author) :
Ho WHC (1), Cheung WT (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Tai Po Hospital
Introduction :
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) are associated with a reduced life expectancy, which is largely attributed to physical health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. Side-effects of reduced physical activity is one of the contributed factors which are potentially modifiable. Even though majority of people realize the benefit of exercise, they often encounter difficulties to make exercise a daily habit. Currently, physiotherapy department provides different exercise programs in psychiatric in-patient setting and helps patient to build up exercise habit during the hospital stay. Post-discharge “MAGIC” program is designed to move one step forward, to consolidate the long term exercise habit and extend the benefit of exercise out of hospital.
Objectives :
To consolidate the long term exercise habit and extend the benefit of exercise out of hospital, promote active lifestyle with exercise.
Methodology :
A pedometer is given to patients participated in “Magic” program, as a mean for self-monitoring and encouragement. They are encouraged to walk more than 5000 steps daily and do other form of (aerobic) exercise. The “MAGIC” program is last for 6 weeks and weekly phone follow-up are conducted aiming at promoting self-awareness and encouraging active lifestyle. Readiness ruler, steps count, quality of life (using WHO-5 well-being index) are taken at baseline, 3 weeks and end of program.
Result & Outcome :
MAGIC program started at September 2019 and 13 patients has already completed the program. The step count increased from 7603 to 12550. The readiness ruler slightly increased from 7.7 to 8.1. The quality of life also improved from 16.2 to 17.8. It is encouraging results that psychiatric patient can extent their exercise habit after discharged from hospital.
