Experience and Impact of the “Well-Track” Physical Activity and Sleep Tracker Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Patients in an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Service

Abstract

Background: Physical activity and sleep are interconnected with mental health, physical health, wellbeing, quality of life, cognition, and functioning. Compared to the general population, people who experience psychosis are more likely to have low levels of physical activity, high levels of sedentary behaviour, and sleep problems. Intervention: The Well-Track intervention addresses these issues through: provision of a wearable activity and sleep tracker (Fitbit); physical activity and sleep hygiene advice; a brief motivational interview; a goal-setting workbook; and three engagement, feedback and discussion sessions with early intervention in psychosis (EIP) staff. Participants: Thirty participants using an EIP service took part in an eight-week intervention. Thirteen participants (6 males; 7 females) with an age range of 18 to 61 years old (M = 28 years) took part in an interview. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews. Thematic and content analyses were employed to analyse the data. Results: Participants set goals, made lifestyle changes to their daily routine and integrated a Fitbit and its functions into their lives that resulted in more physical activity and enabled more effective sleep. This resulted in improved self-management, positive feelings and thoughts, motivation, confidence, social engagement, mood, health, and wellbeing. Participants made progress towards goals they had set. Conclusion: Well-Track has been successfully integrated into an EIP service and it could be delivered through all EIP and other healthcare services where there is a need to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours.

“Well-Track”: Fitbit Based Physical Activity and Sleep Hygiene Intervention for Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) and At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) Service Patients

“…To seek to address sleep, physical activity, and wellbeing of community-based depression and EIP service patients, a physical activity and sleep hygiene intervention (Well-Track) has been developed and tested over a period of four years. Based on our previous findings that Well-Track improved participants' physical activity, sleep quality, motivation, self-awareness, daily/weekly routines, wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and quality of life, and reduced anxiety and depression levels [51] [52] [53] [54] [55], our hypothesis is that it will have a positive impact on depression, mental wellbeing, insomnia, and body weight in both EIP and ARMS patients.…”