Braining: Implementation of Physical Exercise for Patients in Specialist Psychiatry

Braining: Implementation of Physical Exercise for Patients in Specialist Psychiatry, Efficacy Evaluation in a Randomized Controlled Multicentre Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare Braining, a physical exercise lifestyle intervention in psychiatric care, with structured advice on physical exercise. The main questions are: does Braining lead to increased physical exercise compared to structured advice on physical exercise? what effect does Braining have on mental and physical health, quality of life and functional level compared to structured advice on physical exercise? The participants will join a twelve weeks long study period with clinician led exercise classes up to three times per week. Before and after the study period they will leave blood tests, take part in a mental and physical examination and fill in assessment scales. To measure physical activity, the participants will carry an accelerometer, a device that measures steps and acceleration. After six and twelve months, the participants take part in the same measurements. The control group takes parts in the same measurements and follow up, but instead of having clinician led exercise classes, they will exercise on their own during the twelve weeks study period.

Braining is a clinical invention that helps patients in psychiatry to start and execute physical exercise (PE) regularly in psychiatric care. The core components are basic moderate to vigorous aerobic group training sessions and motivational work led by the psychiatric staff. Braining is used as add-on treatment to regular psychiatric care and is included in the patient care plan. Braining is unique in that it: Includes trained psychiatric clinical staff exercising together with patients from both out- and inpatient ward units in daily, moderate to vigorous aerobic group training sessions is included in regular healthcare fee, (free of charge) includes a motivational and educational visit (as a group seminar or as an individual visit) at the start and end of a twelve-week exercise intervention includes regular measurements (self-assessment questionnaires, blood samples, physical and mental health examination and education before and after the twelve-week exercise intervention) offers short individual motivating visits before every training session, including assessment of day shape and fitness to participate. This study will be a multi-center study performed at 5 psychiatric outpatient units in Region Stockholm. Patients with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety who are not physically active in accordance with WHO recommendations will be invited to participate in the study. The research questions are: Does Braining increase the amount of completed physical training (PT) compared to structured advice on physical exercise (advice on PT according to guidelines)? What effect does Braining have on the mental and physical health, quality of life and functional level of participating patients compared to structured advice on physical exercise? Examined from the following points of view: psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, emotional regulation? somatic symptoms, such as blood pressure, resting heart rate, BMI, waist measurement, presence of somatic co-morbidity? How do participants rate Braining and structured advice on physical exercise regarding: Satisfaction with treatment Credibility of treatment Negative effects Is Braining a cost-effective intervention? Participants will be randomized to supplementary treatment with Braining or structured advice on physical activity. Braining and advice on physical activity will be compared after a 12-week training period. Measurements of the participants´ psychiatric and somatic health are carried out before the treatment, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks and 6 and 12 months after the end of treatment. Effects of the treatment are examined via validated self-assessment forms, as well as somatic examination with a focus on metabolic status. Venous blood samples are taken before and after the 12-week training period, as well as 6 and 12 months after the end of the training period to investigate changes in metabolic status. In a sub study on a smaller number of participants the researchers will analyze associations with biological factors such as genetic or epigenetic factors, metabolic factors, stress hormone levels, trace elements, degree of inflammation and other biological markers of health and disease that can be measured in ordinary blood tests, e.g. through "Omik" design. Physical activity will be measured by self assessment scales, accelerometer and by number of performed Braining classes. Data analysis: Continuous data will be analyzed using mixed effects models or t-test, nominal data analyzed mainly with chi2 test. In mixed effects models of differences between groups the interaction effect of group and time will be the central estimate.

A randomized controlled superiority trial evaluating if the new method Braining is superior to structured advice on physical activity, concerning increasing physical activity. The trial is a multicenter study conducted at 3-6 sites. Participants are individually randomized in blocks of 2-4 at each site.

A 12 week program where participants are encouraged to participate in physical exercise at the psychiatric unit.

Health interview and a 12 week program where participants are encouraged to engage in physical exercise outside the psychiatric setting.

A 12 week program where participants are encouraged to participate in physical exercise at the psychiatric unit.

Objectively measured physical activity. Total physical activity measured in accelerometer-counts and translated into minutes/day spent in inactivity, low, moderate and vigorous intensity.

Self rated depressive symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 27, where higher values indicate more depressive symptoms.

Objectively measured physical activity. Total physical activity measured in accelerometer-counts and translated into minutes/day spent in inactivity, low, moderate and vigorous intensity.

Objectively measured physical activity. Total physical activity measured in accelerometer-counts and translated into minutes/day spent in inactivity, low, moderate and vigorous intensity.

Self-reported physical activity: Total physical activity as Metabolic Energy Turnover (MET)hours/week and three level categories (low, moderate and high).

Self-reported physical activity: Total physical activity as Metabolic Energy Turnover (MET)hours/week and three level categories (low, moderate and high).

Self-reported physical activity: Total physical activity as Metabolic Energy Turnover (MET)hours/week and three level categories (low, moderate and high).

Self rated depressive symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 27, where higher values indicate more depressive symptoms.

Self rated depressive symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 27, where higher values indicate more depressive symptoms.

Self rated anxiety symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 21, where higher values indicate more anxiety symptoms.

Self rated anxiety symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 21, where higher values indicate more anxiety symptoms.

Self rated anxiety symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 21, where higher values indicate more anxiety symptoms.

Self rated insomnia symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 28, where higher values indicate more insomnia symptoms.

Self rated insomnia symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 28, where higher values indicate more insomnia symptoms.

Self rated insomnia symptoms. Minimum value 0, maximum value 28, where higher values indicate more insomnia symptoms.

The WSAS is a simple, reliable and valid measure of impaired functioning. It is a sensitive and useful outcome measure offering the potential for readily interpretable comparisons across studies and disorders. The maximum score of the WSAS is 40, lower scores are better. The 5 items are scored 0-8 ranging from Not at-all-Slightly-Definitely-Markedly-Very-severely

The WSAS is a simple, reliable and valid measure of impaired functioning. It is a sensitive and useful outcome measure offering the potential for readily interpretable comparisons across studies and disorders. The maximum score of the WSAS is 40, lower scores are better. The 5 items are scored 0-8 ranging from Not at-all-Slightly-Definitely-Markedly-Very-severely

The WSAS is a simple, reliable and valid measure of impaired functioning. It is a sensitive and useful outcome measure offering the potential for readily interpretable comparisons across studies and disorders. The maximum score of the WSAS is 40, lower scores are better. The 5 items are scored 0-8 ranging from Not at-all-Slightly-Definitely-Markedly-Very-severely

The EQ-5D [1] is an instrument that consists of two parts and measures health-related quality of life, regardless of disease profile. The instrument measures the general state of health within five dimensions. Values are anchored at 1 (full health) and 0 (a state as bad as being dead) as required by their use in economic evaluation. Values less than 0 represent health states regarded as worse than a state that is as bad as being dead. An EQ-5D value is also sometimes known as an 'index', 'score' or 'utility'.

The EQ-5D [1] is an instrument that consists of two parts and measures health-related quality of life, regardless of disease profile. The instrument measures the general state of health within five dimensions. Values are anchored at 1 (full health) and 0 (a state as bad as being dead) as required by their use in economic evaluation. Values less than 0 represent health states regarded as worse than a state that is as bad as being dead. An EQ-5D value is also sometimes known as an 'index', 'score' or 'utility'.

The EQ-5D [1] is an instrument that consists of two parts and measures health-related quality of life, regardless of disease profile. The instrument measures the general state of health within five dimensions. Values are anchored at 1 (full health) and 0 (a state as bad as being dead) as required by their use in economic evaluation. Values less than 0 represent health states regarded as worse than a state that is as bad as being dead. An EQ-5D value is also sometimes known as an 'index', 'score' or 'utility'.

The quality-adjusted life year (QALY) is a generic measure of disease burden, including both the quality and the quantity of life lived. It is used in economic evaluation to assess the value of medical interventions. One QALY equates to one year in perfect health. QALY scores range from 1 (perfect health) to 0 (dead).

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is a statistic used in cost-effectiveness analysis to summarise the cost-effectiveness of a health care intervention. It is defined by the difference in cost between two possible interventions, divided by the difference in their effect. It represents the average incremental cost associated with 1 additional unit of the measure of effect. Costs will be described in monetary units, while effects will be measured in terms of health status.

The number of leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes per unit volume in a sample of venous blood. Includes measurement of the hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte indices.

The number of leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes per unit volume in a sample of venous blood. Includes measurement of the hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte indices.

The number of leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes per unit volume in a sample of venous blood. Includes measurement of the hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte indices.

Self constructed question regarding if participants have had any negative effects of treatment: 1) Have you experienced any negative effects from the treatment 2) If yes, please specify:

Self rated satisfaction of treatment. Minimum value 8, maximum value 32 where higher values indicate greater satisfaction with the treatment.

Self rated Credibility of treatment. Minimum value 3, maximum value 27 for each factor, where higher values indicate greater Credibility/Expectancy of the treatment.

Self rated difficulties in emotion regulation. The sum ranges from 16 to 80, where higher levels indicate greater difficulty in emotion regulation.

Self rated difficulties in emotion regulation. The sum ranges from 16 to 80, where higher levels indicate greater difficulty in emotion regulation.

Self rated difficulties in emotion regulation. The sum ranges from 16 to 80, where higher levels indicate greater difficulty in emotion regulation.

Interview regarding alcohol and/or drug intake, measuring number of days with alcohol/drug consumption.

Interview regarding alcohol and/or drug intake, measuring number of days with alcohol/drug consumption.

Interview regarding alcohol and/or drug intake, measuring number of days with alcohol/drug consumption.

AUDIT-C is an alcohol screen that can help identify patients who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The AUDIT-C is scored on a scale of 0-12 (scores of 0 reflect no alcohol use). In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive; in women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the AUDIT-C score, the more likely it is that the patient's drinking is affecting his/her health and safety.

AUDIT-C is an alcohol screen that can help identify patients who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The AUDIT-C is scored on a scale of 0-12 (scores of 0 reflect no alcohol use). In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive; in women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the AUDIT-C score, the more likely it is that the patient's drinking is affecting his/her health and safety.

AUDIT-C is an alcohol screen that can help identify patients who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The AUDIT-C is scored on a scale of 0-12 (scores of 0 reflect no alcohol use). In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive; in women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the AUDIT-C score, the more likely it is that the patient's drinking is affecting his/her health and safety.

Inclusion Criteria: Patient at one of the psychiatric units Exclusion Criteria: Physically active with moderate to vigorous physical activity above recommendations from World Health Organization (WHO) during the last 4 weeks Severe mental disorder such as ongoing mania, psychosis, and conditions when high risk of suicide or high risk of violence available according to the assessment of psychiatric staff at the unit. Medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, infection, withdrawal, where heart rate-increasing physical activity is considered contraindicated due to Medical reasons. Physical disability that makes it impossible to move independently to the gym and performing the indicated exercise in the training sessions. Mental disability which means that you can not participate in group training. Difficulty speaking or understanding the Swedish language. Ongoing heavy substance use.