Braining: Implementation of Physical Exercise for Patients in Specialist Psychiatry

Launched by REGION STOCKHOLM · Aug 21, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Braining," is studying the effects of a supervised exercise program for patients with mental disorders. The main goal is to see if participating in guided exercise classes, known as Braining, helps people become more physically active compared to just receiving advice on how to exercise. Researchers want to find out how this program impacts not only physical activity but also mental health, quality of life, and the ability to carry out daily activities.

To take part in the trial, participants must be patients at a psychiatric unit and not currently engaging in much physical activity. Over 12 weeks, they will join exercise classes led by healthcare professionals up to three times a week. Before and after the program, participants will have blood tests, health check-ups, and complete surveys to assess their well-being. They will also wear a small device that tracks their movement. A separate group will follow the same measurements but will exercise on their own instead of attending the classes. This study is currently seeking participants aged 65 and older, and it’s important to note that individuals with certain severe mental disorders or physical disabilities may not be eligible to join.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patient at one of the psychiatric units
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Physically active with moderate to vigorous physical activity above recommendations from World Health Organization (WHO) during the last 4 weeks
• • Severe mental disorder such as ongoing mania, psychosis, and conditions when high risk of suicide or high risk of violence available according to the assessment of psychiatric staff at the unit.
• • Medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, infection, withdrawal, where heart rate-increasing physical activity is considered contraindicated due to Medical reasons.
• • Physical disability that makes it impossible to move independently to the gym and performing the indicated exercise in the training sessions.
• • Mental disability which means that you can not participate in group training.
• • Difficulty speaking or understanding the Swedish language.
• • Ongoing heavy substance use.