Randomised controlled feasibility trial of an intervention to increase activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in people with severe mental illness: Walking fOR Health (WORtH) study

Objective People with severe mental illness (SMI) engage in less physical activity (PA) and more sedentary behaviour (SB) than the general population, contributing to poorer physical health outcomes in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a multi-component behaviour change intervention called Walking fOR Health (WORtH), delivered by community mental health teams, aimed at increasing PA and reducing SB compared with a one-off education session in people with SMI.

Setting Study recruitment and intervention delivery took place within four community mental health teams in the UK and Ireland. Participants Eligible participants had a diagnosis of a SMI and no contraindications to participating in physical activity.

Fifty-four participants (25 male, 29 female; mean age 51.6 years) were recruited. Interventions Participants were randomised to the 13-week WORtH intervention, comprising education, activity tracking and health coaching or an education-only control.

Primary and secondary outcome measures Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence and acceptability. Clinical outcomes included device-measured (Axivity AX3) and self-reported PA and SB, body anthropometry, physical function and mental well-being.