Motivators for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders to start and maintain exercising: a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Purpose

While physical activity is considered an important part of treatment for people with schizophrenia, little is known about their views on how to successfully commit to an exercise habit over time. This study explored experiences of motivators to start and maintain regular exercise among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Materials and methods

Five men and six women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, 25–62 years old, who had been exercising for at least 6 months, were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The positive experiences that the participants immediately felt in their bodies were the main motivator for exercise. These experiences were recalled and longed for in between bouts and consisted of physical sensations, mental well-being, and improved self-esteem. This experience-based driving force enabled the participants to pursue exercise despite sometimes feeling low, lacking resources, or struggling with side effects of medication.

Conclusion

The positive change in body experience following exercise could be emphasised more when promoting exercise to people with schizophrenia. Exploring the instant body responses can keep up the drive and create hope for more long-term health effects. Physiotherapists have an important role in guiding patients to recognise and interpret body experiences.

Keywords:

• Psychotic disorders
• health promotion
• physical activity
• serious mental illness
• transtheoretical model
• qualitative content analysis

Acknowledgments

First, we want to thank the participants who shared their experiences with us. We are also grateful to colleagues in the psychiatric out-patient clinics for help with recruitment, to Dr. Lena Hedlund at Lund University for methodological advice, and to the mental health physiotherapists at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, for valuable support during different phases of the study. Finally, we thank Turlough Johnston for helping us to edit and refine the English version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Research & Development, Psychiatric Clinic at Sahlgrenska University hospital and Renée Eander´s Fund, Swedish Associations of Physiotherapist.