Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheng HF(1)(3), Yuen KY(1)(3), Cheung CC(1)(3), Chan TP(1)(2), Dr. Chan SC(2)(3), Wong MO(2)(3), Dr. Ho CME(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Occupational Therapy, Tai Po Hospital, (2) Community Psychiatric Services, Tai Po Hospital, (3) Community Psychiatric Services, North District Hospital
Introduction :
Individuals with mental illnesses often struggle with maintaining lifestyle balance. Numerous studies have proven positive association between lifestyle balance and mental wellbeing. Occupational Therapy specialised in Lifestyle Redesign integrated Telecare into this individual-based program for the purposes of optimising service users’ occupational balance, promoting their mental wellbeing and importantly, fostering community-based care
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of the “Individual-based Lifestyle Redesign Program” on occupational balance and mental wellbeing.
Methodology :
This program recruited 51 participants with stable mental condition with diagnosis of Severe Mental Illnesses (SMIs), such as Schizophrenia or mood disorders etc. in TPH and NDH in the settings of CPS. The program composed of 4 consecutive monthly on-site sessions integrated with 8 “Loveliving 2.0” videos through HA GO prescription for off-site education and awareness enhancement, which emphasised on the topics of life roles, sleep & rest, work, leisure, stress management and positive psychology. Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OB-Quest) and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) were selected as the outcome measures to be conducted before and after the program.
Result & Outcome :
46 out of 51 participants completed the program. A total of 408 “Loveliving 2.0” videos were successfully prescribed to 51 services users. A paired-samples t-test showed that participants’ level of lifestyle balance increased from pre-program (M=20.07, SD=3.630) to post-program (M=22.89, SD=3.254; t= -5.402, p<0.001).
Instead of solely self-maintainer, a number of participants described an expansion of different meaningful life roles, such as worker or hobbyist etc.
Participants demonstrated more balanced and diverse daily activities with increased physical exercises and reduced sedentary lifestyle. There was heightened level of mental wellbeing among participants from pre-program (M=19.83, SD=4.896) to post-program (M=22.20, SD=4.588; t= -4.044, p<0.001). Participants perceived heightened sense of self-efficacy with reduced level of stress. The results demonstrated that the Individual-based Lifestyle Redesign Program was effective in promoting the level of lifestyle balance and mental wellbeing.
There was low attrition rate in this program, which implied adequate feasibility for future clinical practice. Occupational therapists could continue the implementation of this program to foster service users’ community-based care and rehabilitation.
