Review

Evaluating interventions to improve somatic health in severe mental illness: a systematic review

  1. F. M. van Hasselt1,2,
  2. P. F. M. Krabbe3,
  3. D. G. van Ittersum4,
  4. M. J. Postma5,
  5. A. J. M. Loonen2,6,7,*

Article first published online: 26 FEB 2013

DOI: 10.1111/acps.12096

Additional Information

How to Cite

van Hasselt FM, Krabbe PFM, van Ittersum DG, Postma MJ, Loonen AJM. Evaluating interventions to improve somatic health in severe mental illness: a systematic review.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

  2. 2

    GGZ WNB, Mental Health Hospital, Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands

  3. 3

    Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

  4. 4

    SHARE, Graduate School Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

  5. 5

    Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

  6. 6

    Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

  7. 7

    Delta Chair on Psychiatric Pharmacology, Delta, Mental Health Hospital, Poortugaal, the Netherlands

* Anton J. M. Loonen, University of Groningen, Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
E-mail: a.j.m.loonen@rug.nl

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 26 FEB 2013
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 18 JAN 2013

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Keywords:

  • mental disorders;
  • health status;
  • health promotion;
  • patient care management

Objective

To present a systematic review of the evaluation of randomized interventions directed toward improving somatic health for patients with severe mental illness (SMI).

Method

A systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, and PsycInfo was performed. The scope of the search was prospective studies for patients aged 18–70, published from January 2000 till June 2011. Randomized interventions directed toward improving somatic health for patients with SMI were selected. We excluded studies on elderly, children, and studies performed before 2000. Information on population, type of intervention, follow-up, outcome measures, and on authors' conclusions were drawn from the original articles.

Results

Twenty-two original studies were included, presenting four types of interventions: health education (n = 9), exercise (n = 6), smoking cessation (n = 5), and changes in health care organization (n = 2). To evaluate the effect of these studies 93 different outcome measures were used in 16 categories.

Conclusion

Many interventions directed toward improving somatic health for patients with SMI have been started. These studies did not apply similar evaluations, and did not use uniform outcome measures of the effect of their interventions. Valuable comparisons on effectiveness are therefore almost impossible.

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