FitForLife is a study where patients with psychosis are educated to physical exercise trainers. For 6 months the trainers led exercise sessions for their fellow patients at sixteen psychiatric outpatient units in three regions. The most important finding was that 6 months after the study ended 15 out of the 16 units continued with the concept. The researchers have seen effects on need of care, social skills and metabolic markers.
The education was developed in cooperation with researchers at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet an together with Swedish School of Sports Medicine (GIH) and patients affected by psychosis.
“Persons with psychosis have a severe disorder but also face stigma. They have a shortened lifespan mostly due to metabolic disorders. Regular physical exercise led by fellow patients has the potential to empower besides the physical health effects. The education and role as a leader can also be a way of getting back into work for the trainers, which we have seen several examples of during the study”, Says , Professor at the Department of Global Public Health who is one of the researchers behind this study.
Implementation was a part of the study from start and in September we will launch the trainer education on GIH’s educational platform. It will be free of charge and available to all psychiatric outpatient units taking care of psychosis in Sweden. There is a large interest, and we have good hope that the FitForLife concept can be used as a complement in regular outpatient care of psychosis.
The study group included KI, GIH, patient interest organizations, the regions Skåne, Halland, and Stockholm and patients affected by psychosis.
