The value of exercise on a psychiatric hospital unit.
A number of reports in the literature have shown the value of exercise programs in reducing depression among psychiatric patients. Most of these papers have dealt with outpatients; this paper recounts a study of hospitalized inpatients who elected to participate in a six-week exercise program. After six weeks, participants showed significant decreases in their levels of reported depression, and nonsignificant trends toward a decrease in anxiety and an increase in their sense of accomplishment. The program did not ameliorate many disturbing feelings such as anger and fear, nor did it elicit a wide range of positive affects such as cooperation and feelings of acceptance. However, the authors conclude that a well-designed exercise program has enough potential benefit to make it a regular part of a psychiatric inpatient program.
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology