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Symposia

Schizophrenia / Psychotic Disorders

Session: Cultivating Joyful Mental Health Care by Centering the Preferences and Values of People with Serious Mental Illness

2 - (SYM 78) Participant Perspectives of a Virtual Group-based Walking Program for Adults with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study

Saturday, November 18, 2023
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM PST
Location: Chiwawa (501), Level 5

Cardiorespiratory fitness, a predictor of mortality, is reduced in those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) but is modifiable through increased exercise. Research has shown that aerobic exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with SSDs; however, engagement rates are low due to reduced motivation and limited access to transportation and gym facilities. Therefore, exercise interventions that are accessible and target motivation have the potential to increase engagement and ultimately lead to long-term health improvements.

Our group developed a virtual walking intervention, Virtual Physical Activity Can Enhance Life (Virtual PACE-life), that targets barriers to engagement (lack of access and low motivation) for individuals with SSDs. Virtual PACE-Life is guided by self-determination theory, a theory of motivation, and is comprised of live video-delivered walking sessions, Fitbits, home-based walking recommendations, and goal-setting strategies. A pilot randomized controlled trial (n=37) of Virtual PACE-Life compared to a Fitbit Alone condition revealed high acceptability for Virtual PACE-Life and better group attendance compared to in-person versions of PACE-Life. However, there were no group differences on cardiorespiratory fitness or physical activity.

     Given that this trial was the first study to test a virtual walking program for this population, we elicited participant feedback on their experience in the intervention and assessed their preferences for virtual versus in-person exercise programming. At the end of the study, we conducted qualitative interviews with 15 participants randomized to Virtual PACE-Life to explore their enjoyment of the various intervention components, barriers and facilitators to engagement, preferences for virtual or in-person exercise, and recommendations for future modifications to Virtual PACE-Life. Interviews were transcribed and will be analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. Key themes from these interviews will be presented in this symposium to provide valuable information on perspectives of virtual exercise programming for those with SSDs.