The implementation of exercise therapy within hospital-based mental healthcare: Delphi study

The physical health comorbidities and premature mortality experienced by people with mental illness has led to an increase in exercise services embedded as part of standard care in hospital-based mental health services. Despite the increase in access to exercise services for people experiencing mental illness, there is currently a lack of guidelines on the assessment and triage of patients into exercise therapy.

Citation:
McMahen C, Wright K, Jackson B, Stanton R, …….. Furzer B. The implementation of exercise therapy within hospital-based mental healthcare: Delphi study. BJPsych Open. 2024;10(5).

Keywords:
Exercise therapy; exercise therapy triage; mental health services; rehabilitation; severe mental illness

Abstract:
The physical health comorbidities and premature mortality experienced by people with mental illness has led to an increase in exercise services embedded as part of standard care in hospital-based mental health services. Despite the increase in access to exercise services for people experiencing mental illness, there is currently a lack of guidelines on the assessment and triage of patients into exercise therapy.