http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Renfrew, MelanieRankin, PaulMorton, DarrenOakes - Cornellisen, Amanda2023-11-012023-11-012023-01-252023-02-27<p>Oakes-Cornellissen, A., Morton, D., Rankin, P., & Renfrew, M. (2023). Efficacy of a multimodal lifestyle intervention (The Lift Project) for improving the mental health of individuals with an affective mood disorder living in South Africa. <em>Frontiers in Psychology, 14, </em>Article<em> </em>1127068. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1127068</p>1664-1078https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1127068https://research.avondale.edu.au/handle/123456789/33866773<p><strong>Background:</strong> Affective disorders are becoming more pervasive worldwide, including in Southern Africa, where treating patients with these conditions is challenging due to social and financial constraints. A variety of non-pharmacological approaches including lifestyle medicine (e.g., exercise, nutrition, sleep) and positive psychology practices (e.g., gratitude, service), are effective for treating mental health (MH) conditions.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Twenty-six individuals from South Africa with a diagnosed MH condition participated in a 10-week multimodal intervention incorporating a diverse range of non-pharmacological strategies for improving MH. MH metrics were assessed pre-and post-intervention, including general MH, vitality/energy (VIT), depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life. MH and VIT were also measured weekly.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Improvements were observed in all mental metrics from pre-to post-intervention: MH (59%, <em>p</em> < 0.001, Cohen’s <em>D</em> = 1.36), VIT (110%, <em>p</em> < 0.001, Cohen’s <em>D</em> = 1.71), depression (−46%, <em>p</em> < 0.001, Cohen’s <em>D</em> = −1.06), anxiety (−48%, <em>p</em> < 0.001, Cohen’s <em>D</em> = −1.21), stress (−36%, <em>p</em> < 0.001, Cohen’s <em>D</em> = −1.08) and life satisfaction (23%, <em>p</em> < 0.001, Cohen’s <em>D</em> = 0.66). Significant improvements in MH and VIT were observed after only 1 week of the intervention and progressively increased until the seventh week, after which further improvements were not statistically significant.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The findings of this cohort study indicate that a multimodal intervention that incorporates lifestyle and positive psychology practices may benefit individuals living with an affective disorder. Non-pharmacological, multimodal interventions might offer a stigma-free way of providing MH promotion and treatment at a population level.</p>en-us<p>Used by permission: the author(s).</p>Affective mood disorderslifestyle medicinepositive psychologydepressionanxietystresslifestyleinterventionJournal Article