Exercise and Sport in Forensic Psychiatry.

At a Glance

This cooperation project between the University of Konstanz and the Forensic Department of the Centre of Psychiatry Reichenau aims to evaluate sports therapy in a forensic psychiatric setting. By investigating its effects on psychological well-being and exploring strategies to improve compliance, the project also aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical implementation.

Background

Physical activity has a positive effect on the mental state of an individual, both from a preventive and a therapeutic point of view. For this reason, sports-therapeutic treatment represents an important and independent pillar in the adjuvant therapy of mentally ill people. Given this, it is reasonable to assume that patients in forensic psychiatric departments can also benefit from sports therapeutic programs. In recent years, there have been problems with adherence to exercise therapy in psychiatric clinics, as well as low numbers of participants and high dropout rates in research in this area. It is therefore important to get to the bottom of this problem and find solutions.

Aims of the Project

  • Psychological Effects Analysis: The overarching goal of this research project is to analyze the psychological effects of sport-therapeutic treatments in forensic settings. Understanding how sports therapy impacts mental well-being is critical for optimizing patient care.
  • Compliance Predictors: One major challenge is the low compliance rate among patients. To address this, the project aims to identify predictors associated with good or poor compliance. These insights will inform tailored interventions.
  • Motivational Factors and Barriers: In a second step, the project will explore motivating factors and barriers to participation in exercise therapy. By understanding what drives or hinders patients, the team can design effective strategies.
  • Testing a Motivational Intervention: Finally, the project will test a motivational intervention based on a reward system. This approach aims to encourage sustained engagement in sports therapy.

Methods and Implementation

Sports Therapists work with patients on four forensic units on a weekly basis. They are responsible for the planning, organizing, and conducting individual and group sport-therapeutic treatments in the clinical setting, and in certain off-site situations. Experiences are shared in supervision sessions. Patients’ participation in the forensic clinic is documented by the Sports Therapists over a longer period, whereby possible predictors of compliance are also collected. In addition, the patients and people in their clinical environment will be interviewed about motivating factors and barriers to participation in the therapy, with the aim of getting to the bottom of the causes of poor compliance. Finally, a motivational intervention will be integrated into the patient's daily life to investigate whether it is feasible and effective in increasing the patient’s compliance rate and mental health.

Partner

This cooperation project between the University of Konstanz and the Centre of Psychiatry Reichenau is funded by the Centre of Psychiatry Reichenau, where the physical activity intervention is realized. The contact person there is PD Dr. Jan Bulla.

Funding (-Period)

The cooperation of the third-party funded project exists from November 2023 to September 2027.