Effects of sport therapy on psychosocial outcomes for forensic patients

Abstract

Abstract. Physical activity has gained importance in psychiatric and psychosomatic treatment schemes, but there is little knowledge on the use of physical activity for forensic rehabilitation, including psychosocial outcomes. A systematic review of the literature on PubMed and Livivo found only one study that specifically addressed the effects of physical activity in forensic patients. Twenty-three studies reported on physical activity in the context of non-forensic patients suffering from mental illnesses similar to those commonly diagnosed in forensic patients. We summarize the effects of physical activity with respect to therapeutic objectives suggested by German sport therapists working with forensic patients. In forensic patients or patients suffering from mental illness typical of forensic patients, physical activity promotes social skills (4 studies), self-image, body experience, and personality growth (9 studies). Physical activity also helps to activate patients (12 studies), while reducing their tension and anger (1 study). Yet, there is a significant lack of specific scientific evidence as to whether sport therapy for forensic patients is effective in terms of the therapeutic objectives of this patient group. Future research must focus on longitudinal dose-effect outcome studies on forensic patients and should also concentrate on studies in the area of psychosis, personality disorders and addiction in relation to forensic sport therapeutic objectives.

Practice and relevance of sports psychiatry in promoting athletes’ mental health in Japan

“…In Japan, sports psychiatrists are also involved in the research on the efficacy of exercise therapy based on another concept: the application of sport therapy in psychiatry. Similar to studies in other countries [48, 49], some sports psychiatrists are studying the efficacy of exercise therapy in patients with bipolar disorder [50]. Nevertheless, sports psychiatrists have varied roles, which also include providing support to disabled athletes, such as para-athletes.…”

Prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders through physical activity, exercise, and sport

“…This study shows that in this patient group, the risks of addressing exercise must be carefully balanced against the risks of not addressing it. In the third article, Reimer and colleagues [14] attempt to systematically review the current evidence regarding the effects of sport therapy on psychosocial outcomes in forensic patients. The study draws attention to the fact that research in this specific population is still in its infancy and we still know far too little about how physical activity, exercise and sport can be used profitably in forensic psychiatry.…”

On the same team: A call for increased medicolegal knowledge exchanges between forensic psychiatry and sports psychiatry

“…Sports psychiatry shares connections with neighboring disciplines like sports psychology, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, pharmacology, and sports science, amongst others ( 11 ). However, although studies have explored sports therapy in forensic patients ( 12 ), there is scant knowledge about the medicolegal contexts of sport-specific psychopathology and its forensic-psychiatric intersections. In our view, this is concerning as elite-level competitions often transcend diverse jurisdictions, spanning legal and sporting-body regulations.…”