Activity Therapy

Chairperson

Prof. Sami Lama

Department of Mental Health Nursing

Presenter

Rita Pokharel

M.Sc. Nursing

Batch 2011

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WELCOME

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Contents

• Introduction• History • Goals • Main considerations• Broad categorization• Different forms of physical activity• Mental health benefits of physical activity• Social activities or group activity therapy• Suitable activity therapies for patients with different

diagnosis

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Introduction

• This is specialized, professional work planning, organizing and carrying out habilitation, rehabilitation, or socialization activities with individuals. 

• Work involves the application of specialized activity/therapy skills and/or equipment in a music, art, horticultural, athletic,  recreational or activities of daily living program.

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History

• Florence Nightingale applied music therapy, visiting by family member and pet for speedy recovery of wounded soldiers.

• Dr Karl Menninger recognized vital role of recreation in treatment of psychiatric problems.

• After 1970 concept of deinstitutionalization and CBR started, the role of activity therapy is increased.

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Goals

• Obtain a sense of well-being in an individual• Increase self-esteem • Cope the situation in a healthy way• Express creativity• Learn new things• Get personal fulfillment and a sense of control• Promote physical and mental fitness• Encourage socializing• Obtain spiritual fulfillment

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Main Considerations while choosing activity therapy

• Age• Nature and extent of disabilities

• Sensory motor skills• Cognitive functioning• Affective functioning• Medical contraindications

• Space and time• Supplies and equipment• Staffing

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Broad categorization

Activity Therapy

Physical

Social

Group activities

Social skill training

Psychological

Different

types of

psychotherapies

Spiritual

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Different forms of physical activities

• Motor forms

• Sensory forms

• Intellectual forms

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Mental health benefits of physical activity

• Two meta-analyses reported average effect sizes of .72 and 1.1 for exercise compared with no treatment for depression.

• Both meta-analyses showed effects for exercise that were similar to those found from other psychotherapeutic interventions.

• According to ACSM guidelines, a minimal exercise program should consist of at least three 20- to 60- minute exercise sessions each week.

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Social activities or group activity therapy

When art and psychotherapy are joined, the scope and depth of each can be expanded, and when working together, they are tied to the continuities of humanity's history of healing

~ Shaun McNiff

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Social activities cont...

• Research supports the importance of social networks in maintaining health and reducing re-hospitalizations of persons with mental illnesses.

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Suitable Activities For

Different Conditions

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Activity therapy for anxiety and depression

• Non- competitive activities: Running, lifting weights, playing basketball, gardening and other fitness activities.

• Exercises aerobic as well as anaerobic

• Yoga therapy• Sudarshan Kriya yoga

(these activities are also beneficial in substance use disorders)

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Activity therapy for Mania

• Non competitive activities that allow the use of energy and expression of feelings.

• Activities should be limited and changed frequently.

• Activities like Creative writing, Poetry, Drawing, knitting, Painting, Making cloths.

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Activity therapy for schizophrenia

• Music therapy

It is an addition to standard care helps people with schizophrenia to improve their global state, mental state (including negative symptoms) and social functioning if a sufficient number of music therapy sessions are provided by qualified music therapists.

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Activity therapy for schizophrenia cont...

• Art therapy

However few studies suggested it is beneficial therapy, level one evidences have suggested further evaluation of the use of art therapy for serious mental illnesses is needed as its benefits or harms remain unclear.

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Activity therapy for schizophrenia cont...

• Exercise therapy

Though the definite conclusion can't be drawn from level one evidences, they suggested it is beneficial.

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Activity therapy for schizophrenia cont...

• Non competitive, solitary meaningful that require some degree of concentration. Like puzzle, scrabble etc

• Simple concrete task. Eg. Clay moulding

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Activity therapy for dementia

• Small group non directive activities • Structured activities, requiring little time for

completion• Explain and demonstrate each task

eg. Packing goods.

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Activity therapy for dementia cont...

• Manipulative /Puzzles

There were consistent evidences from multiple trials that cognitive stimulation programmes benefit cognition in people with mild to moderate dementia over and above any medication effects.

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Activity therapy for dementia cont...

• Games entertainment• Sensory stimulation• Touch is used as a therapy• Pet therapy

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Activity therapy for childhood and

adolescent disorder

• One to one therapy is the best approach in many conditions.

• Play therapy Individual vs group Free vs controlled play Structured vs unstructured Directive vs non directive

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Activity therapy for ADHD

• Coin game• Crossword Puzzles and Picture Puzzles• Memory and Concentration Games• Mind - Body Integration

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• For autistic spectrum disorders free play is recommended.

• Clay moulding therapy and sand play are effective in childhood mental problems.

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Activity therapy for Intellectual disability

• According to patient's level of functioning• Physical exercises• Domestic activities like cooking

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Therapeutic Activities for increasing Self Esteem

• Physical exercises

• Keeping a journal Use it to make lists of accomplishments and positive qualities. Use it to write about thoughts about self esteem.

• AVOID competitive games

• Psychological approach

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Take home message

• Activity therapy works as adjunctive treatment with pharmacotherapy in persons with different mental disorders.

• Many evidences have suggested physical activity therapy is equally beneficial as psychotherapeutic interventions when performed effectively.

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References

• Caroline R. Richardson, Guy Faulkner, Judith McDevitt, Gary S. Skrinar, Dori S. Hutchinson, John D. Piette. Integrating Physical Activity Into Mental Health Services for Persons With Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services 56:324–331, 2005

• http://www.adta.org/About_DMT• Ren J, Xia J. Dance therapy for schizophrenia available from

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD006868/dance-therapy-for-schizophrenia. Published Online: October 4, 2013

• Mössler K, Chen X, Heldal TO, Gold C. Music therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like disorders available from http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004025/music-therapy-for-schizophrenia-or-schizophrenia-like-disorders. Published Online: January 31, 2013

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• Cooney GM, Dwan K, Greig CA, Lawlor DA, Rimer J, Waugh FR, McMurdo M, Mead G. Exercise for depression available from http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004366/exercise-for-depression

• Gorczynski P, Faulkner G Exercise Therapy for Schizophrenia. Available from  http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004412/exercise-therapy-for-schizophrenia. Published Online:June 15, 2011

• Woods B, Aguirre E, Spector AE, Orrell M. Can cognitive stimulation benefit people with dementia? Available from http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD005562/can-cognitive-stimulation-benefit-people-with-dementi

• Patricia Cabral, Hilary B. Meyer, Donna Ames, Effectiveness of Yoga Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Major Psychiatric Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2011; 13(4)

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• Patricia Cabral, BA, Hilary B. Meyer, BA, and Donna Ames. Effectiveness of yoga therapy as a complimentary treatment for major psychiatric disorder: A meta analysis. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord v.13(4); 2011

• Simple brain exercise activities for ADHD child. Available from http://www.empoweringparents.com/Five-Simple-Brain-Exercise-Activities-for-Your-ADHD-Child.php#ixzz2tDHMfkKn

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