Abstract

ZAGO, Maria Cristina  and  PADILHA, Bruneide Menegazzo. Physical activity as a therapeutic adjunct to psychiatric patients with severe mental illness: a literature review. Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2017, vol.23, n.2, pp. 609-625. ISSN 1677-1168.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5752/P.1678-9563.2017v23n2p609-625.

There is a lack of more precise clarification of the psychological impact of physical activity (PA) in Mental Health Services for people with severe mental illness (SMI). This review aims to investigate physical activity as a therapeutic adjunct for patients with SMI. Data sources: EBSCOHost, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, Medline, PsyArticles. Quantitative and qualitative articles published between 2000-2014 were sourced. The studies report that PA can contribute to improve mood, alertness, concentration, sleep patterns and psychotic symptoms. It can relieve secondary symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal. There is also evidence of psychological benefits of PA in depressed patients. Patients see PA positively and would like to be active and improve mental health. Barriers to uptake of PA were identified: impact of the illness and effects of medication, fatigue, weight gain by medication, fear of discrimination and safety issues and lack of professional support. The group context appears as an environment that promotes the practice of PA. The literature considers AP as an intervention that can be useful for promoting mental health, well-being, therefore a psychosocial rehabilitation strategy for people with SMI. The conclusions of the studies are restricted to a descriptive level, are limited, and lack an accurate methodology of research in some cases revealing the need for future studies.

Keywords : Mental health; Physical activity; Group.

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