Exergaming (physically active video gaming) for mental health service users in a community mental health care setting: an ethnographic observational feasibility study

BMC Psychiatry

Research

Jois Bailey¹  Seren Haf Roberts² 

[1] Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham, UK;School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, CF144XN, Cardiff, UK;

关键词: Ethnography;    Exergaming;    Mental illness;    Physical activity;    Community mental health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-023-05233-6

 received in 2023-07-07, accepted in 2023-09-29,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPeople with severe and enduring mental illness experience health inequalities with premature mortality; lifestyle behaviours are known to be contributing factors with low levels of physical activity reported. Facilitating physical activity to help maintain or improve health for those who are disadvantaged is essential. Exergaming (gaming involving physical movement) is increasingly used to improve physical activity across the lifespan and for those with a range clinical conditions; this might offer a way to increase physical activity for those with severe mental illness. The aim of this study was to explore engagement of mental health service users with exergaming to increase physical activity in a community mental health care setting.MethodsAn ethnographic observational feasibility study was undertaken through participant observation and semi-structured interviews. A gaming console was made available for 2 days per week for 12 months in a community mental health setting. A reflexive thematic analysis was performed on the data.ResultsTwenty one mental health service users engaged with the intervention, with two thirds exergaming more than once. One participant completed the semi-structured interview. Key themes identified from the observational field notes were: support (peer and staff support); opportunity and accessibility; self-monitoring; and perceived benefits. Related themes that emerged from interview data were: benefits; motivators; barriers; and delivery of the intervention. Integrating these findings, we highlight social support; fun, enjoyment and confidence building; motivation and self-monitoring; and, accessibility and delivery in community mental health care context are key domains of interest for mental health care providers.ConclusionsWe provide evidence that exergaming engages people with SMI with physical activity. The value, acceptability and feasibility of open access exergaming in a community mental health service context is supported. Facilitating exergaming has the potential to increase physical activity for mental health service users leading to possible additional health benefits.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 1