Wellness intervention for patients with serious and persistent mental illness.
BACKGROUND
Weight gain and obesity that emerge during psychopharmacologic treatment are prevalent in persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Obesity is difficult to reverse, but behavioral programs involving diet and exercise are sometimes successful.


METHODS
Patients with serious and persistent mental illness living in the community were enrolled voluntarily into the Solutions for Wellness Personalized Program. Participants completed an enrollment survey that provided information for the creation of an individualized management plan that included nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep improvement components. Weight, body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)), behavior, and attitudes were assessed at baseline (enrollment) and monthly for 6 months.


RESULTS
During the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, 7188 patients with serious and persistent mental illness had enrolled in the program, and 83% were either overweight or obese. Follow-up survey responses taken at 6-month endpoint from finishers (N = 1422) indicated that positive changes were made in diet (91%), exercise (85%), reduced stress (93.8%), and sleep (92.9%). Significant decreases in BMI were associated with changes in diet (p = .014) and exercise (p = .035). In addition, 97% of participants reported that they were at least somewhat confident in the ability to maintain lifestyle changes, and this confidence was significantly (p < .001) associated with reaching dietary and exercise goals.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients suffering from serious and persistent mental illness may benefit from participating in wellness intervention programs.
Hoffmann
Vicki Poole
VP
From Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. vph@lilly.com
Ahl
Jonna
J
Meyers
Adam
A
Schuh
Leslie
L
Shults
Kenneth S
KS
Collins
Dorothy M
DM
Jensen
Lara
L
D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome