Retention of older veterans with serious mental illness in a clinical exercise program

Older adults with serious mental illness (SMI) have compromised physical function that could be improved with exercise; however, retention in exercise programs is a challenge. This study was a retrospective analysis of retention for the 150 older veterans with SMI that enrolled in Gerofit, a clinica...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Julia Browne, Eric B. Elbogen, Kim T. Mueser, James L. Rudolph, Wen Chih Wu, Noah S. Philip, Whitney L. Mills, Alexander S. Young, Richard Sloane, Katherine S. Hall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1221030/full
Description
Summary:Older adults with serious mental illness (SMI) have compromised physical function that could be improved with exercise; however, retention in exercise programs is a challenge. This study was a retrospective analysis of retention for the 150 older veterans with SMI that enrolled in Gerofit, a clinical exercise program offered in the Veterans Health Administration. Chi-square and t-tests were conducted to evaluate baseline differences between those that were and were not retained at six and 12 months. Retention was 33% and better health-related quality of life and endurance were related to retention. Future work is needed to improve exercise program retention in this population.
ISSN:1664-0640