The feasibility and acceptability of questionnaires and accelerometry for measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults with mental illness

Abstract

Background: Adults with mental illness may have difficulties with data collection methods such as questionnaires and accelerometry.

Aims: To assess the utility of questionnaires and accelerometry for assessing physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in non-institutionalised adults with mental illness.

Methods: Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics and community organisations. Participants completed PA and SB questionnaires, wore accelerometers for 7 d, and rated the ease/difficulty of completing study components. Recruitment numbers, adherence, and ease/difficulty ratings were examined. Ease/difficulty ratings were compared between study components, and between participants by distress level.

Results: One hundred forty-two participants completed the questionnaires; they found it easier to report PA than reclining time (p = 0.017), and reclining time than sitting time (p < 0.001). Participants with high distress found it more difficult to report sitting time and PA than participants with low distress (p < 0.017). Ninety-nine participants (70%) completed the accelerometry; the majority (88%) met the minimum wear-time criteria. They found it easier to wear the monitor during the day than while sleeping (p < 0.001), and easier to complete accelerometry than questionnaires (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Accelerometry was more feasible for assessing SB than questionnaires. Questionnaires were feasible for assessing PA, but less acceptable for people experiencing high distress.

• Accelerometer
• mental illness
• physical activity
• sedentary behaviour

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Communify QLD, Footprints Inc., Mental Illness Fellowship QLD, Brooke Red, and Reclink Australia for their support and assistance with recruitment. The authors would also like to thank Professor Michael Breakspear at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute for providing the financial gratuities for participants.This work was conducted at The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Declaration of interest

Professor Michael Breakspear at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute provided financial gratuities for participants. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.