An evaluation of Exercise on Referral schemes in selected areas of England Version 1, February 14th 2008 Protocol reference: 08/H0720/26
Participant information form (short version) DRAFT
Across the UK, there has been a considerable growth of exercise referrals schemes, often in response to the greater awareness and evidence we now have of the benefits of exercise not only in promoting good physical health but also good mental health and well-being.
The Mental Health Foundation, a national mental health charity, has been following this issue for some years. It is working with people in both health and exercise services to champion
the development of exercise referral schemes whereby health professionals such as GPs can refer their patients, in particular those who may have mild to moderate depression, to an exercise scheme. This project is called ‘Up and Running?’ and as a part of the work, the charity is gathering information about different exercise referral schemes – how they work, what they offer, how much they charge, how many people are using them and whether the people taking part feel that they are helpful. In (name of area), an exercise referral scheme has been running for some years/has just been set up (text will be deleted depending on what applies) and staff in the scheme will be helping the Mental Health Foundation by sending some information about what they offer. This will include some of the figures they routinely collect about how many people use the exercise classes,
who refers them and the feedback people give about the exercise activity they have taken part in. It will not be possible to identify any individuals from this information which will be used for a report describing how exercise referral schemes are being run and how well they work.
The involvement of (name of area) should not in any way affect how the exercise activities are offered, and as before, the completion of any self-reporting forms by anyone taking part in an exercise activity is entirely voluntary. However, if you have any questions or concerns about the exercise venue you attend being involved in the ‘Up and Running?’ project, you are welcome to contact the Foundation’s investigator XXXX on XXXX who will be happy to explain more about the project.
Moving on up 44
7. References
1. Biddle, S.J, & Mutrie, N (2001) Psychology of physical activity: Determinants, well-being and interventions.
2. McCormick, B, Frey, G, Lee, C, Chun,S, Sibthorp, J, Gajic, T, Stamatovic-Gajic, B & Maksimovich, M. (2008) Predicting transitory mood from physical activity level among people with severe mental illness in two cultures. The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, vol 54 (6), 527-38.
3. Deihl, J & Choi, H (2008) Exercise: the data on its role in health, mental health, disease prevention and productivity. Primary Care, vol 35 (4), 803-16.
4. Taylor, A & Fox, K (2005) Effectiveness of a Primary Care Exercise Referral Intervention for Changing Physical Self-Perceptions over 9 months. Health Psychology, vol 24 (1), 11-21.
5. Lawler, D & Hopker, S (2001) The effectiveness of exercise as an intervention in the management of depression: systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Medical Journal, vol 322, 763-767.
6. Sutherland, J, Sutherland, S & Hoehns, J (2003) Achieving the best outcome in treatment of depression. The Journal of Family Practice, vol 52 (3), 201 -209.
7. Ma, W, Lane, H & Laffrey, S (2008) A model testing factors that influence physical activity for Taiwanese adults with anxiety. Research in Nursing & Health, Vol 31 (5), 476-489
8. Sims, J, Galea, M, Taylor, N, Dodd, K, Jespersen, S, Joubert, L, Joubert, J. (2009) Regenerate: assessing the feasibility of a strength- training program to enhance the physical and mental health of chronic post stroke patients with depression. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Vol 24 (1) 76-83.
9. Wand, T & Murray, L (2008) Let’s get physical. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. Vol 17 (5), 363-9.
10. Carless, D & Douglas, K (2008) Social Support for and Through Exercise and Sport in a Sample of Men with Serious Mental Illness. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, vol 29 (11), 1179-1199.
11. Diaz, A & Motta, R (2008) The effects of an aerobic exercise program on posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity in adolescents. Internal Journal of Emergency Mental Health, vol 10 (1), 49-60.
12. Northamptonshire County Standard Protocol December 2007
13. National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Clinical Guideline 23: depression: management of depression in primary and secondary care. London: NICE.
14. Department of Health (2004) At least five a week: Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health 15. Department of Health (2005) Choosing Activity: A physical activity action plan.
16. Mental Health Foundation (2005) Up and Running? Exercise therapy and the treatment of mild or moderate depression in primary care.
17. Stathi, A; Milton, K. and Riddoch, C. (2006) Evaluation of the London Borough of Camden Exercise Referral Scheme Middlesex University, London Sport Institute
18. Stathi, A; Milton, K. and Riddoch, C. (2006) Evaluation of the London Borough of Camden Exercise Referral Scheme. Middlesex University London Sport Institute.
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Mental Health Foundation
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Founded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is the leading UK charity working in mental health and learning disabilities.
We are unique in the way we work. We bring together teams that undertake research, develop services, design training, influence policy and raise public awareness within one organisation. We are keen to tackle difficult issues and try different approaches, many of them led by service users themselves. We use our findings to promote survival, recovery and prevention. We do this by working with statutory and voluntary organisations, from GP practices to primary schools. We enable them to provide better help for people with mental health problems or learning disabilities, and promote mental well-being.
We also work to influence policy, including Government at the highest levels. We use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle stigma attached to mental illness and learning disabilities. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. We can only continue our work with the support of many individuals, charitable trusts and companies. If you would like to make a donation, please call us on 020 7803 1121 .
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