Authors: (including presenting author): :
Cheng HF(1), Yuen KY(1), Cheung CCJ (1), Chong BW (1), Chan SC (2), Wong MO (2), Ho CME(1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Tai Po Hospital
(2) Community Psychiatric Services, Tai Po Hospital / North District Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Lifestyle Redesign
Keyword 2: :
Occupational Therapy
Introduction: :
Lifestyle balance among individuals with mental illnesses has been associated with lower severity of mental illnesses (Haggett, 2016). Occupational Therapy specialised in Lifestyle Redesign in mental health field is playing important role in optimising service users’ lifestyle balance, facilitating their mental health recovery and strengthening the roles of occupational therapy in community-based care (Pyatak, Carandang, Rice Collins & Carlson, 2022).
Objectives: :
To evaluate the effectiveness of the “Group-based Lifestyle Redesign Program” on lifestyle balance and mental wellbeing
Methodology: :
From July 2024 to January 2026, this program, which adopted pre-post design, recruited 60 participants presented with stable mental condition with diagnosis of Severe Mental Illnesses (SMIs), such as Schizophrenia and Common Mental Disorders (CMDs), such as depression / anxiety from Tai Po Hospital (TPH) Psychiatric Day Hospital, TPH’s Community Psychiatric Services and North District Hospital’s Community Psychiatric Services. We excluded service users with intellectual disabilities, active substance abuse, or visual/ auditory impairment. The maximum participants in each group were 10. The program consisted of 6 biweekly group sessions integrated with 9 “Loveliving 2.0” videos through HA GO prescription for off-site education and knowledge enhancement. Group sessions emphasised on the formulation of recovery goals with participants in their aspects of life roles, sleep & rest, work, leisure, stress management and positive psychology. Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OB-Quest), the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) and service users’ satisfaction survey were selected as the outcome measures to be conducted before and after the program.
Result & Outcome: :
39 out of 60 participants with the mean age of 43.8 years completed the program. The Paired Sample t-test showed participants’ level of lifestyle balance increased from pre-program (M=18.7) to post-program (M=22.6, p=0.001). Participants described an expansion and adaptation into different meaningful life roles, such as hobbyist or volunteer etc. Furthermore, participants expressed more time use on social participation and other meaningful activities, such as physical exercises. On the other hand, participants’ level of mental wellbeing heightened from pre-program (M=18.4) to post-program (M=22.2, p=0.001). Participants expressed the perception of higher sense of self-efficacy and increased level of life satisfaction. Satisfaction survey showed increase in 27.2%, 28.9% and 28.7% in the aspects of knowledge, attitude and practice towards lifestyle balance respectively after the program. Group-based Lifestyle Redesign Program was effective in promoting the level of lifestyle balance and mental wellbeing for this target group in mental health field. Post 1-month booster session would be implemented to further evaluate program outcome for longer term sustainability.
