Exercise in Forensic Psychiatric Care

Patients with psychosis have an increased risk of premature death, largely due to somatic comorbidity. Patients with mental illness in forensic psychiatric care are subjects of long periods of inpatient care and there is a risk of reduced levels of physical activity. Exercise protects against many types of somatic illness and also has an effect on psychiatric symptoms and cognitive ability. Exercise can therefore be seen as a promising treatment option in forensic psychiatric care. It is unknown how physical exercise is used today in forensic psychiatric care. It is also unknown how the patients' physical ability changes during care. The aim of the project is to investigate the physical ability among patients in forensic psychiatric care, and to describe the staff's perceptions, knowledge and working methods regarding exercise.