Several epidemiological studies have shown that exercise (EX) and physical activity (PA) can prevent or delay the onset of different mental disorders, and have therapeutic benefits when used as sole or adjunct treatment in mental disorders. This review summarizes studies that used EX interventions in patients with anxiety, affective, eating, and substance use disorders, as well as schizophrenia and dementia/mild cognitive impairment. Despite several decades of clinical evidence with EX interventions, controlled studies are sparse in most disorder groups. Preliminary evidence suggests that PA/EX can induce improvements in physical, subjective and disorder-specific clinical outcomes. Potential mechanisms of action are discussed, as well as implications for psychiatric research and practice.
Anxiety Disorders/prevention & control/therapy ; Databases, Factual ; Dementia/prevention & control/therapy ; Eating Disorders/prevention & control/therapy ; *Exercise ; Humans ; Mental Disorders/prevention & control/*therapy ; Mood Disorders/prevention & control/therapy ; Motor Activity ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/prevention & control/therapy ; Schizophrenia/prevention & control/therapy ; Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control/therapy

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of a network program to prevent obesity and improve dietary habits for patients taking antipsychotics or antidepressants. METHOD: Thirty-seven patients in two hospitals were assigned to a control group (21 patients) or an intervention group (16 patients). The intervention group was evaluated to analyze the effect of the network program for six weeks after the program. RESULT: There was a difference in the rate of increased body weight between the control group and the intervention group. Notably, the body weight of both groups before the intervention was significantly increased. However, after the intervention the body weight of the intervention group rarely increased, whereas, the body weight of the control group was significantly increased as expected. There was an observed difference in diet between the control group and the intervention group. After the intervention, caloric intake per day of the intervention group decreased. Also, the duration of the meal of the intervention group after the intervention was longer than before. CONCLUSION: The network program for preventing obesity and improving dietary habits of patients taking antipsychotics or antidepressants was effective. The study shows that a network program can be an important part of a nursing intervention in clinical practice.
Weight Gain/drug effects ; Schizophrenia/drug therapy ; Obesity/chemically induced/*prevention & control ; Mood Disorders/drug therapy ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Energy Intake ; Diet, Reducing ; Antipsychotic Agents/*adverse effects ; Antidepressive Agents/*adverse effects ; Adult ; Adolescent