P0337 - Wellness program as psychosocial intervention for improvement of physical and mental health in persons with mental illness

Abstract

Background and Aims:

It is evidence-based that psychosocial interventions influence outcome of mental illness by improving social skills for life in community. The wellness program is manual-based step by step program and includes: the education about healthy life styles (the eating habits, physical activity), defining the goals and planning of activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate wellness program in term to improve the physical and mental health in persons with mental illness.

Methods:

40 patients were included in study to assess the benefit of 12-week wellness program. The patients were treated by antipsychotics and/or antidepressants and six of them by a mood stabilizator. The groups met once a week during 12 weeks for 90 minutes. Data were obtained through the comparison of 12-Item of self-reviewing Satisfaction scale and body mass index (BMI) at the beginning and end of program. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistics.

Results:

Significant (p<0.05) improvement was recorded in self-esteem, energy, physical appearance, social life, physical activity, eating habits, free-time activities, self perception, quality of life in general. Significant (p<0.005) decline was recorded in BMI in 17 patients at the end of program.

Conclusions:

The effects were obtained in three-quarters of tested Items implying significant improvement in the Satisfaction scale at the end of program. Although, the goal of program was not the reduction of body weight, the decrease in BMI points out that structured wellness program can be effective in improving the physical as well as mental health.