Do not stop me now: A feasibility study for a personalized, phased psychomotor sports intervention to promote social integration in people with early psychosis.

Purpose: This study examines the feasibility of a personalised and phased psychomotor sports intervention in preparation for a larger multiple-baseline single-case design study aimed at enhancing social integration in adults with early psychosis. The aim is to evaluate the recruitment strategy, the suitability of selected outcome measures, and the applicability of the intervention for the target population. Methods: Three participants engaged in a 20-week intervention designed to promote social (re-) integration through sports participation, with three phases 1) individual psychomotor therapy, (2) group psychomotor therapy, both offered within a mental health care setting and (3) community-based sports participation. Next to (qualitative) interviews, a multiple-baseline design was used, incorporating the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), ActiGraph GT9X + accelerometers, and questionnaires. Results: Recruitment proved challenging, with only three participants included out of twenty potentially suitable candidates. The selected outcome measures were largely feasible, with some adjustments made, particularly in the ESM procedure. The intervention was evaluated positively in terms of acceptability, applicability, and potential individual benefits, with several recommendations made regarding its duration and the roles of the peer support worker and the coach. All participants engaged in some kind of physical activity by the end of the study (yoga, boxing or regular walking). Conclusion: With broader inclusion criteria and flexibility in the data gathering procedure to tailor individual needs, this feasibility study supports the potential of a personalised, phased sports intervention to enhance social integration in early psychosis and informs methodological refinements for a future, larger single-case multiple-baseline study.