Consensus statement on the role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists within the treatment of mental disorders: a guide for mental health professionals

Oscar Lederman; Kristine Grainger; Robert Stanton; Angela Douglas; Kirrily Gould; Amy Perram; Rishi Baldeo; Theodora Fokas; Fiona Nauman; Amanda Semaan; Jude Hewavasam; Louise Pontin; Simon Rosenbaum

doi:10.1177/1039856216632400

Consensus statement on the role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists within the treatment of mental disorders: a guide for mental health professionals

Australas Psychiatry. 2016 Aug;24(4):347-51. doi: 10.1177/1039856216632400. Epub 2016 Feb 24.

Authors

Oscar Lederman¹, Kristine Grainger², Robert Stanton³, Angela Douglas⁴, Kirrily Gould⁵, Amy Perram⁶, Rishi Baldeo⁶, Theodora Fokas⁶, Fiona Nauman⁷, Amanda Semaan⁸, Jude Hewavasam⁹, Louise Pontin¹⁰, Simon Rosenbaum¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, and; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, and; Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia oscar.lederman@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
² Wellbeing Unit, Macquarie Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
⁵ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, and; St John of God Hospital, North Richmond, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Queensland University of Technology, School of Exercise & Nutrition Science, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁸ University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sydney, NSW, and; Integrated Care Unit, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁹ Secure Extended Care Unit, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
¹⁰ Headspace, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
¹¹ Keeping the Body in Mind Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, and; Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 26912471
DOI: 10.1177/1039856216632400

Abstract

Objective: The aim is to identify the role and scope of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) services in the mental health sector and to provide insight as to how AEPs can contribute to the multidisciplinary mental health team.

Methods: A modified Delphi approach was utilised. Thirteen AEPs with experience in mental health contributed to the iterative development of a national consensus statement. Six mental health professionals with expertise in psychiatry, mental health nursing, general practice and mental health research participated in the review process. Reviewers were provided with a template to systematically provide feedback on the language, content, structure and relevance to their professional group.

Results: This consensus statement outlines how AEPs can contribute to the multidisciplinary mental health team, the aims and scope of AEP-led interventions in mental health services and examples of such interventions, the range of physical and mental health outcomes possible through AEP-led interventions and common referral pathways to community AEP services.

Outcome: AEPs can play a key role in the treatment of individuals experiencing mental illness. The diversity of AEP interventions allows for a holistic approach to care, enhancing both physical and mental health outcomes.

Keywords: AEP; Accredited Exercise Physiologist; consensus statement; exercise; mental health.

Publication types

Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

Australia
Consensus
Exercise Therapy*
Health Personnel
Humans
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Mental Health Services / standards*
Patient Care Team
Referral and Consultation