Psychomotor Therapy for Patients with Severe Mental Health Disorders

Psychomotor therapy is defined as a method of treatment based on a holistic view of the human being that is derived from the unity of body and mind. Assessments (observation and/or evaluation) are essential to achieving concrete psychosocial objectives methodically. Psychomotor therapy uses movement, body awareness and a wide range of movement activities to optimize movement behaviour as well as the cognitive, affective and relational aspects of psychomotor functioning (i.e. the relationships between physical movements and cognitive and social-affective aspects). Consequently, the approach to this type of therapy integrates the physical, cognitive and emotional aspects of functioning in relation to the capacity of being and acting in a psychosocial context in order to achieve clearly defined goals in consultation with the patients. Psychomotor therapy framework consists of three different approaches: a health-related approach, a psychosocial approach and a psychotherapeutic approach, which can be embedded in several psychotherapeutic approaches. Through the implementation of both systematically planned evaluations and individually targeted interventions in group, the psychomotor therapist strives to broaden the general action competences and specific skills and to stimulate a positive self-image and personal well-being in balanced social relationships. Today, there is sufficient evidence that psychomotor therapy has a major contribution to both well-being and mental health of patients with severe psychiatric problems. In Flemish psychiatric hospitals, psychomotor therapy is imbedded in different treatment programmes. In this chapter, the theory behind this approach and some practical examples will be provided

Physiotherapy and Mental Health

Physiotherapy in mental health care and psychiatry is a recognized specialty within physiotherapy. It offers a rich variety of observational and evaluation tools as well as a range of interventions that are related to the patient\u27s physical and mental health problems based on evidence‐based literature and a 50‐year history. Physiotherapy in mental health care addresses human movement, function, physical activity and exercise in individual and group therapeutic settings. Additionally, it connects the physical and mental health needs of humans. This chapter offers general reflections on mental health, the scope of physiotherapy in mental health care and physiotherapy research. Physiotherapy in mental health care and psychiatry can offer added and beneficial value to the treatment of people with mental health problems

Physiotherapy in Mental Health: A Historical Overview

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The Body in Movement: A Clinical Approach

Physiotherapy or body-oriented therapy is often overlooked as an adjunctive treatment for patients with eating disorders (ED). However, the integration of physiotherapy is based on the physiotherapists’ experience in both the body and the body in movement, two important issues integral to eating disorder pathology. From our clinical experience, physiotherapeutic techniques represent a potent clinical addition to available treatments. Patients with eating disorders have an intense fear of gaining weight and present a negative body experience. Excessive exercise and drive for activity or hyperactivity are considered to be a secondary symptom and are characterized by a voluntary increase in physical activity, a compulsive urge to move and by the dissociation of fatigue. Both characteristics are the two cornerstones for physiotherapy in children, adolescents, and adults in an inpatient or outpatient treatment. More concrete, the objectives for physiotherapy are (1) rebuilding of a realistic self-concept, (2) curbing hyperactivity, and (3) developing social skills. Physiotherapists have a wide array of skills that can be applied successfully in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN). The goal of this chapter is to present practical guidelines for physiotherapeutic management in eating disorder, more specific about mirror exercises, film images, and some additional individual or group exercises, recommendations based on more than 35 years of clinical experience

Hugues Faure, 1928–2003: The unique adventure of his life

Hugues Faure was not only one of the greatest pioneers of the study of the Quaternary and a man of outstanding personality, with the highest integrity, an uncommon strength of character, with a lot of kindness and generosity, but also a man who made his dreams, conceived in the inhospitable solitudes of the Sahara, come true. He was very young when he chose his way: barely 10 years old and his passion for geology already filled his life. It was in Africa, a continent he discovered at his earliest years as a field-geologist, and deeply loved, that he nursed and matured many of his most stimulating ideas on Quaternary environmental change. It was in the desert that he built up his exceptional personality and found his truth, which finally allowed him to accomplish his destiny. Hugues Faure was born in Paris, on the 11th March 1928, the son of a jeweller. The comfortable circumstances of the family were darkened by his father's death when Hugues was only 3 years old. As a consequence of this sad event, Hugues used to spend in England most of his school holidays far from his family. Then during World War 2, he lived the exodus on the roads of France, cycling under the bombs, with his dog in his basket. He was 12 years old, and it was the end of his youth. His passion for earth sciences had began before the age of ten, when he started collecting flint and fossils from the chalk of the Paris Basin, and decided to stop playing piano, so as to devote himself to Geology. Hugues graduated in Mathematics from Lycée Jacques-Decour in 1948, and in Sciences from the Faculté des Sciences de Paris Sorbonne in 1949. On the same year he enrolled as a geologist of the “France of Overseas”, then as a hydrogeologist at the French Geological Survey (BRGM) (1949–1963), so as to work in Africa

Distribution and conservation status of the Manapany day gecko, Phelsuma inexpectata MERTENS, 1966, an endemic threatened reptile from Réunion Island (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

The Manapany day gecko Phelsuma inexpectata Mertens, 1966 endemic to the south of Réunion Island, is a threatened species currently closely associated with the coastal habitat, one of the most endangered ecosystem on the island. We investigated the extent and the evolution of its distribution and its population size and density. We found that the species is extremely restricted, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and an area of occupancy (AOO) of around 6 km² and 1 km² respectively. Since 1995, several sub-populations have disappeared and the population size has dropped to between 3 000 and 5 000 individuals. We located 15 populations, severely fragmented by urbanisation, agriculture and invasive vegetation. This habitat loss and fragmentation is perceived as the most serious threat, followed by interactions with alien animals (predation/competition) and by environmental pollution. The species qualifies as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red-List Criteria. We propose a first conservation strategy to avoid the possible extinction of the Manapany day gecko. RÉSUMÉ : Le gecko vert de Manapany Phelsuma inexpectata Mertens, 1966 est une espèce menacée, endémique du sud de La Réunion. Ce lézard est aujourd’hui associé aux habitats littoraux, l’un des écosystèmes les plus menacés de l’île. A l’aide d’un échantillonnage des habitats favorables identifiés sur son aire de répartition, nous avons étudié l’étendue et l’évolution de sa distribution, mais aussi la taille et la densité de ses populations. Les résultats de ces travaux montrent que la répartition de l’espèce est extrêmement limitée, avec une aire d’occurrence (EOO) et une aire d’occupation (AOO) (voir méthodologie IUCN, 2001), respectivement d’environ 6 km² et 1 km². Depuis 1995, plusieurs sous-populations ont disparu. De plus, l’effectif total a fortement diminué : estimé entre 5 000 et 10 000 individus par Bour et al. (1995), celui-ci est actuellement compris entre 3 000 et 5 000 individus. Nous avons identifié 15 populations, très fragmentées par l’urbanisation, l’agriculture et les surfaces envahies de pestes végétales (principalement Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi). La fragmentation et la perte d’habitats naturels représentent les principales menaces qui pèsent sur l’espèce. Celles-ci sont suivies par la prédation et la compétition avec les espèces animales envahissantes, et les pollutions environnementales (traitements chimiques agricoles et lutte anti-vectorielle). La synthèse des résultats de cette étude permet de fournir une justification du statut de conservation UICN du gecko vert de Manapany, listé parmi les « espèces en danger critique d’extinction » (CR). Enfin, une première stratégie de conservation est également proposée pour éviter l’extinction de l’espèce

What are the top 10 physical activity research questions in schizophrenia?

Purpose: Research has only recently started to consider the applicability of physical activity (PA) for people with schizophrenia. Although there is increasing evidence for the benefits of physical activity, this population remains generally physically inactive and sedentary. The aim of the current study is to highlight 10 pertinent physical activity research questions in people with schizophrenia. Method: The International Organisation of Physical Therapy in Mental Health (IOPTMH) executed a consultation of its National Organisations (n=13) to identify the most salient questions relevant to guide clinical practice on physical activity in people with schizophrenia. Results: We identified the following 10 questions: (1) What are the benefits of physical activity for people with schizophrenia? (2) What are the mechanisms of the physical activity effects in people with schizophrenia? (3) What are the most prominent safety issues for physical activity prescription in people with schizophrenia? (4) What is the most optimal physical activity prescription for people with schizophrenia? (5) What are the key barriers for engaging people with schizophrenia in physical activity? (6) What are the most effective motivational interventions for physical activity adoption and maintenance in people with schizophrenia? (7) How do we translate physical activity research into clinical and community practice? (8) How can we ensure integration of physical therapists within the multidisciplinary mental health treatment team? (9) How can we prevent sedentary behaviour in people with schizophrenia? (10) What is the most appropriate physical activity assessment method in clinical practice? Conclusions: Addressing these questions is critical for developing evidence-based approaches for promoting and sustaining an active lifestyle in people with schizophrenia. Ultimately, achieving this will improve the quality of life of this population. Implications for Rehabilitation: · Investigation of behaviour change interventions for people with schizophrenia is critical · A low cost, easy to use, clinical, valid physical activity questionnaire is urgently needed

Cross-linguistic validity of the French and Dutch versions of the very short form of the physical self-inventory among adolescents

The study tested the cross-linguistic validity of the Very Short form of the Physical Self-Inventory (PSI-VS) among 1,115 Flemish (Dutch version) adolescents, and a comparison sample of 1,103 French adolescents (French version; from Morin & Maïano, 2011). Flemish adolescents also completed a positively worded reformulation of the reverse-keyed item of the physical attractiveness (PA) subscale. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported the factor validity and reliability (except for the Dutch PA subscale) of the PSI-VS, and its partial measurement invariance across samples. CFA conducted on the modified version of the Dutch PSI-VS (11 original items plus the positively-worded replacement), presented satisfactory reliability (ω = .67-.89), and was fully invariant across sexes, age groups, and body mass index categories. Additionally, results revealed latent mean differences across sexes and body mass index categories. Therefore, the modified Dutch PSI-VS can be used whenever there is a need for a very short physical self-concept questionnaire

A Cognitive-Behavioural Program (One Day a Week) for Patients With Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder: Short-Term Follow-up Data

This paper describes an innovative cognitive behavioural program for the treatment of patients with binge eating disorder in the University Psychiatric Center K.U. Leuven Campus Kortenberg in Belgium. The program runs one day a week during 6 months and consists of 24 sessions. The most important therapeutic goals are: (1) normalization of eating habits and stopping the binge eating episodes; (2) promoting physical activity and a positive body experience; (3) learning specific skills such as assertivity, installing a functional self-evaluation system; learning to identify, tolerate and express negative emotions, promoting self-esteem and prevention of relapse. Overall, the goal is to promote both physical and psychological well-being and quality of life. Some preliminary research data on the effectiveness of this program are described. Despite a rather limited weight loss, the number of binges per week decreased significantly, which was the main therapeutic goal of the treatment. Furthermore, the results show some promising improvements on different psychological parameters in BED patients

Présentation et clé de détermination des geckos verts du genre Phelsuma (Gray, 1825) de l’île de La Réunion (Squamata : Gekkonidae)

Résumé : Six espèces de geckos diurnes du genre Phelsuma (Gray, 1825) sont présentes dans les milieux naturels de La Réunion : deux indigènes et quatre introduites. Ce travail présente brièvement les différentes espèces et fournit une clé de détermination permettant de les identifier. Abstract: Six day gecko species of the genus Phelsuma (Gray, 1825) occur in the natural environments on Réunion Island: two native and four exotic. This work introduces the different species and provides a key for their identification