Quality of life of people with mental health challenges and problematic substance use while engaged with an exercise physiology service
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People with mental health challenges and problematic substance use can experience low quality of life (QoL). Regular exercise can improve QoL, and Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) can provide evidence-based exercise interventions for people with a range of health conditions. This study examined QoL changes in people with mental health challenges and problematic substance use while engaged in an AEP service. The service was implemented over three years and involved weekly group exercise sessions and health education. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate trajectories of QoL total score and each dimension (independent living, pain, senses, relationships, mental health, coping). A total of 295 participants were inducted, with 161 completing at least two assessments. QoL improved by 0.058 per year (95%CI: 0.018–0.098), predominantly in mental health and coping dimensions. This study demonstrates the feasibility and adoption of AEP services to inform service planning for improving QoL in people with mental health challenges and problematic substance use.
