Improvements in physical fitness of non-psychotic psychiatric patients following psychomotor therapy programs

Aim. To investigate the changes in physical fitness after participation in 1 of 2 psychomotor therapy programs in a sample group of non-psychotic psychiatric patients. Methods. Experimental design: randomized controlled parallel group trial with follow-up measures after 8 weeks and after 16 weeks. Setting: 3 treatment units of a university psychiatric hospital in Belgium. Patients: 141 (51 males, 90 females) patients with severe depressive and/or anxious symptoms, and/or personality disorders. Interventions: patients followed a personalized psychomotor fitness program (PF), consisting of aerobic and resistance training, or a general program of psychomotor therapy (GPMT), consisting of different forms of physical exercises and relaxation training. Measures: the maximum dynamic strength, the strength endurance and physical work capacity at 60% and 80% of the estimated maximal heart rate reserve. Results. After 8 weeks it was observed that the PF group enhanced in all parameters of cardio-respiratory as well as muscular fitness; the GPMT group had improved in 7 out of the 9 muscular fitness measurements. At the end of the 16 weeks, both groups had shown an improvement in all of the muscular fitness parameters, but only the PF group had increased in cardio-respiratory fitness. Conclusion. In order to improve both muscular and cardio-respiratory fitness in these patients, a balanced personalized training program, which includes aerobic and resistance training, is necessary during a period of at least 8 weeks. The less specific GPMT, when followed for a period of 16 weeks, is sufficient for improving muscular fitness and for maintaining cardio-respiratory fitness.