Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2019 | Page 44

FEATURE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY complete the same two outcome measures along with a qualitative based evaluation. We also obtain biometric measurements, which includes weight, blood pressure and heart rate. Following the last 14-week group, four out of five participants were shown to have increased self- esteem and improved PHQ-9 scores. I produced a qualitative evaluation form, and results of this to date have shown the My level of group has had a positive exercise has improved impact on the participants. and the group has given People who have taken part have commented: me more motivation to ‘The challenging nature of exercise in my the group and exercises own time increased with difficulty each week, this improved my stamina ‘‘ and endurance capability’; and ‘My level of exercise has improved and the group has given me more motivation to exercise in my own time’. Others add: ’The group gives me something to look forward to and people to socialise with, which I struggle badly with in life’; and ‘…the mentoring was a different challenge for me, but everything about the run group is positive because it is challenging, but it is a supported environment, which helps so much.’ And finally: ‘I have found that doing something for myself and something physical has really helped my self-esteem and made me more able to cope daily.’ What’s next? The ongoing plan is to continue to progress with the group and keep evaluating the impact it is having, in order to ensure that it is still providing positive outcomes for individuals. NHS Lanarkshire has provided funding for two staff members to undergo the Jog Scotland coaching training and I would like to see the programme rolled out to other client groups across the localities. I plan to develop the mentor role to enable further promotion of mental health recovery, supporting participants in readiness to engage in volunteering and work roles. I also intend to invite the mental health physiotherapist to become involved with the group on a regular basis, in order to support participants with bio-mechanical issues, and with the potential that their own clients can be referred to the group. In addition, I would like to develop the way in why measurements related to physical health are obtained, to enable tracking of how the group is benefitting an individual’s physical health. There is perhaps a role here for the nursing team to be involved in the programme. Finally, I am keen to secure a partnership with the local leisure provider with providing funding for future group members, enabling them to attend their Jog Scotland group free of charge for a fixed period. References Lally, P, van Jaarsveld CHM, Potts HWW and Wardle J (2009) How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world, European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6) 998-1009 The Scottish Government (2010) Realising potential: An action plan for allied health professionals in mental health. HMSO, Scotland: Edinburgh The Scottish Government (2017) Allied health professions co-creating wellbeing with the people of Scotland. The Active and Independent Living Programme in Scotland. HMSO, Scotland Edinburgh Emma Craig, occupational therapist, NHS Lanarkshire, email: [email protected] 44 OTnews October 2019 © GettyImages/vitranc