Thai-HIP can increase the physical health of people with early psychosis.
A new study from La Trobe University, Chulalongkorn University and Charles Darwin University shows that lifestyle changes, using a Thai Health Improvement Profile (HIP), can enhance physical health in people with early psychosis by preventing clinically significant weight gain.
Professor Richard Gray, Theme Lead (Healthy Peoples Families and Communities) at La Trobe University and study co-author, said many previous physical health interventions for people experiencing severe mental ill-health have focused on a single issue – exercise or diet.
“Life expectancy of people with psychosis is 10-15 years less than the general population due to health problems associated with weight gain,” Professor Gray said.
“Many interventions had little or no positive effect at all. The Thai-HIP addresses a comprehensive range of health issues including poor dental health, physical inactivity, diet and smoking."
The Thai-HIP has been extensively culturally adapted to ensure the intervention addresses the specific.
Careful consideration was given to language and cultural norms in Thailand, including how food is prepared and ways of engaging in physical activity.
The study was co-led by Dr Soontareeporn Meepring at Chulalongkorn University, Prof Dan Bressington at Charles Darwin University and Prof Richard Gray at La Trobe University who undertook a randomised controlled trial from 2018 to 2021 of participants diagnosed with psychosis within 5 years of the study period. The study was Funded by the Thailand Research Fund and the Office of The Higher Education Commission, Royal Thai
Government.
Working with the family was another important feature. In Thailand, many people experiencing mental ill-health live with their families. Involving family members in care planning was very important in ensuring that the planned physical health program was adhered to.
Professor Gray said the Thai Health Improvement Profile is showing great promise for patients with psychosis at a time when life expectancy has been falling consistently.
“Can you imagine any other disease area where over time life expectancy is getting worse – about 6 months per year - and people haven't thrown their hands up in horror?” Professor Gray said.
“It’s estimated that 1% of the population at some point in their lives will have psychosis, which is not a rare disease but often gets overlooked - there's a lot more that we can do.”
STUDY: Evaluating the efficacy of the Thai Health Improvement Profile intervention for preventing weight gain in people with early-stage psychosis: A randomized controlled trial, International Journal of Nursing Studies.
