Authors (including presenting author) :
Tsui AYY (1), Chau RMW (1), Cheung HF (2), Mak RFS (2), Chan DYC (1), Kwok KY (1), Chan CYY (1), Ng RMK (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
(2) Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Patients have described psychiatric inpatient care as being locked in one's own lonely world and striving to gain control over one's situation (Molin et al., 2016). Loneliness and unhappiness prevailing the atmosphere during hospital stay which hinder their recovery. It is believed that happiness and health are related and relaxation reduces stress and anxiety which brings along calm feeling, inner peace and happiness. Synergizing the benefits of recovery model of the new gazette ward in Kowloon Hospital, a group relaxation program was introduced to engage and accompany the patients through the critical journey of admission.
Objectives :
To investigate the effect of a group relaxation program for patients in acute psychiatric setting.
Methodology :
A regular group relaxation program was introduced in the new gazette ward since its opening on 4 October 2018. Stretching and progressive muscle relaxation techniques were coached by trained Physiotherapist. The program was conducted daily for 15 to 20 minutes complementing the regular Physiotherapy session. Outcome parameters of general happiness and physical health were studied.
Result & Outcome :
Twenty-five patients from the new female gazette ward during October 2018 to November 2019 enrolled. The principal diagnoses of participants were depression (32%), psychosis (44%), bipolar affective disorder (16%) and substance abuse (8%). For pre & post-program evaluation, the patients were happier with a significantly higher score in the Subjective Happiness Scale (4.13±1.32 versus 5.49±1.07;p< 0.01). The patients were more physically fit with a significant increase in walking distance in Two-Minute Walk Test (97.17±16.68 versus 114.67±8.08;p< 0.01). Happiness score was significantly positively correlated with walking distance demonstrating large effect size.
Moreover, majority (80%) of participants agreed Physiotherapy interventions improved both mental and physical conditions. Furthermore, participants expressed that relaxation techniques allowed them to relieve their stress and regain sense of psychological well-being during recovery (score 9.2/10).
To conclude, relaxation was found beneficial in both mental and physical health for mental patients in acute setting. Engaging patients in relaxation exercises would improve patients’ experiences of being happier and fitter in psychiatric inpatient stay and thereby contribute to their recovery.
Reference: Molin, J., Graneheim, U. H. & Lindgren, B. M. (2016). Quality of interactions influences everyday life in psychiatric inpatient care - patients’ perspectives. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 11, 29897. https://doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v11.29897
