This webinar will explore the latest evidence about SMI, physical activity, and digital technology with the goal of informing learners of the current evidence for what technology can and cannot yet do towards helping patients become more active. Increasing physical activity levels offers many mental health as well as physical health benefits for patients with SMI. With cardiovascular disease as the single highest cause of mortality in patients with schizophrenia between ages 45-74, it is even more imperative to help patients stay active and fit. Recent evidence also suggests some types of physical activity can help improve often challenging to treat cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia. But despite these benefits, engaging the SMI community in exercise has traditionally been difficult. The recent rise of fitness trackers and health apps offers one potential solution through presenting patients and clinicians with new tools and resources to increase physical activity. Topics covered will include when to suggest such as part of the treatment plan, what to expect in terms of patient engagement and response, how to safely monitor physical activity, and finally how to incorporate such into treatment plans.
Presenter: John Torous, MD, MBI, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School