'It Helped Me to Disconnect My Mind from the Problems': The Subjective Experiences of People with Schizophrenia Taking Part in a Concurrent Exercise Program

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2023 Aug;44(8):717-725. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2023.2212781. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the subjective experiences of a concurrent exercise program designed to improve both physical and mental health, through participation, for people with schizophrenia. Participants diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 35, 41.6 ± 10.3 years) received an intensive concurrent exercise program for a 5-month duration, three times a week, at out-of-hospital facilities. Qualitative data was collected via individual, semi-structured interviews, organized, and analyzed with thematic analysis. The findings highlight the participants' perspective in supporting an out-of-hospital exercise program as an acceptable and beneficial adjunct to usual treatment in people with schizophrenia for holistic health improvements.

MeSH terms

  • Exercise
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Qualitative Research
  • Schizophrenia* / therapy