An Effectiveness Trial of an Exercise Physiologist Service to Improve Quality of Life in Adults with Severe Mental Illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study

Justin J Chapman; Dan Siskind; Alison R Yung; Yong Yi Lee; Urska Arnautovska; James G Scott; Kylie Burke; Eva Malacova; Nicole Korman; Marianne Wyder; Meg A Doohan; Shelley E Keating; Stephen Parker; Max E Walker; Di Hu; Jake O'Brien; Geoffrey Lau; Gregory F Pratt; Simon Rosenbaum; Jackie Curtis; Mary Lou Chatterton; Lisa Simmons; Amanda J Wheeler

doi:10.2147/NDT.S530837

An Effectiveness Trial of an Exercise Physiologist Service to Improve Quality of Life in Adults with Severe Mental Illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2025 Jul 11:21:1399-1408. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S530837. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Justin J Chapman^{1

2

3}, Dan Siskind^{2

4

5}, Alison R Yung⁶, Yong Yi Lee^{5

7

8}, Urska Arnautovska^{2

5}, James G Scott^{4

9

10}, Kylie Burke^{11

12

13}, Eva Malacova¹⁴, Nicole Korman^{2

4

5}, Marianne Wyder², Meg A Doohan¹, Shelley E Keating¹⁵, Stephen Parker^{4

13}, Max E Walker¹, Di Hu¹, Jake O'Brien¹⁶, Geoffrey Lau², Gregory F Pratt¹⁷, Simon Rosenbaum¹⁸, Jackie Curtis^{18

19}, Mary Lou Chatterton⁷, Lisa Simmons²⁰, Amanda J Wheeler^{1

3

21}

Affiliations

¹ School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Centre for Mental Health, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.
² Addictions and Mental Health Service, Metro South Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
³ ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
⁵ Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁶ School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
⁷ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁸ School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
⁹ Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia.
¹⁰ Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
¹¹ Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
¹² Australian Government through the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
¹³ Metro North Mental Health Service, Metro North Health, Herston, QLD, Australia.
¹⁴ QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.
¹⁵ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
¹⁶ Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Metro South Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
¹⁷ Mental Health and Genomics, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
¹⁸ Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹⁹ Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
²⁰ Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
²¹ Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand.

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise can improve the quality of life (QoL) of people with severe mental illness (SMI); however, many experience practical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic barriers to commencing and maintaining exercise. This protocol describes a study aiming to assess the effectiveness of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) service for improving QoL in adults with SMI.

Methods and analysis: This is a prospective non-randomised effectiveness trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an AEP service within mental healthcare settings. Participants will be adults (18+ years) with SMI recruited from public mental health services and community organizations. The primary outcome is QoL assessed using the Recovering Quality of Life questionnaire (ReQoL) assessed at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Participants will be invited to a study in which they may self-select to access an AEP service for six months. Self-reported health, demographic and psychosocial influences will be measured and incorporated in analyses as covariates. This is a pragmatic observational approach to evaluating effectiveness, in which participants who attend the AEP service will be compared with those who decline. Reasons for non-participation will be explored, and rates of recruitment and adherence will be examined. Findings will provide insight into implementing AEP services in mental health settings.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval has been obtained from the Metro South Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2024/QMS/109698). We plan to submit a manuscript of the results to a peer-reviewed journal. Results will be presented at conferences, community and consumer forums and hospital grand rounds.

Trial registration: The trial is registered under the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12624001148561).

Keywords: health services; implementation; lifestyle intervention; mental health; physical activity; recovery.