Assessment of a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program to Increase Physical Activity of Adults With Severe Mental Illness

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) experience excessive co-morbidities and early mortality. Self-management programs have the potential to increase physical activity levels of individuals with SMI and reduce the incidence of co-morbidities. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess a chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) to increase physical activity of adults with SMI measured by daily steps tracked with a pedometer. Results of data analysis indicated no statistically significant difference in steps across the six-week program. However, findings suggested that individuals with SMI are capable of using a pedometer and tracking steps on a daily basis.