Old before their time: Comparisons of people with SMI and healthy older adults.

Abstract

Objective: Compare physical functional measures of people with severe mental illness (SMI) to standardized geriatric values. Method: Retrospective analysis of physical functioning sample data of middle-aged people with SMI was compared to standardized older adult data. Compared: Sit to Stand Test (STS; n = 68), 6 min Walk Test (6MWT; n = 71), and Single Legged Stance Test (SLS; n = 55). One sample t tests were computed, using standardized values for older adult healthy populations, to identify differences for the group. Results: STS (M = 11.3 SD = 5.36), for the sample were comparable to 80-89 year old. The 6MWT values were significantly worse than 80-89-year-old range for women, t(28) = −2.88, p < .01, and men, t(40) = −5.32, p =. 00. SLS values for women and men were comparable to the 70-79-year-old range in the general population. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: People with SMI have functional fitness levels that are older than chronological age, and should be assessed regularly for physical functioning to support independent living. Impact and ImplicationsPeople with severe mental illness have strength and balance challenges at younger ages than the general population. Worsened physical functioning impacts housing, choice of interventions, and longevity. Regular testing and rehabilitation strategies are needed to address this premature physical aging of people with severe mental illness.

Physical Health Impairment and Exercise as Medicine in Severe Mental Disorders: A Narrative Review

“…Impairments in aerobic endurance and/or muscle strength imply that typical activities of daily living either require a higher percentage of an individual's physical capacity, and thus are experienced as more vigorous, or not successfully completed at all. Two recent studies show that people with schizophrenia perform on par with 20-30 years older healthy references (− 20 to − 60%) during functional performance tests, i.e., walking, chair-rising, stair climbing, and balance [54,70]. Walking performance is also shown to be reduced by − 23 and − 16% in individuals with major depressive [64] and bipolar disorder [71], respectively, compared to healthy controls.…”

Multidimensional wellness for people aging with mental health conditions: A proposed framework.

“…This population is also at high risk for early mortality, with a reduced life expectancy of between 10 and 25 years, due to numerous health disparities, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (World Health Organization, 2014). An additional unique challenge facing people with SMHC is the risk for rapid aging; a physiological functioning level lower than predicted by their chronological age (Jeste et al, 2018; Zechner et al, 2021). A result is a population coping with multiple health conditions, reduced mobility, and physical functioning at a younger age, which could suggest the need to address the aging process earlier in the lifespan (Jeste et al, 2018; Zechner et al, 2018).…”