Frontiers in Psychiatry (Jun 2023)

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

  • Julia Browne,
  • Julia Browne,
  • Julia Browne,
  • Eric B. Elbogen,
  • Eric B. Elbogen,
  • Kim T. Mueser,
  • James L. Rudolph,
  • James L. Rudolph,
  • Wen Chih Wu,
  • Noah S. Philip,
  • Whitney L. Mills,
  • Whitney L. Mills,
  • Alexander S. Young,
  • Alexander S. Young,
  • Richard Sloane,
  • Richard Sloane,
  • Katherine S. Hall,
  • Katherine S. Hall

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1221030
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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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.

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