Evaluating the accuracy, quality, and readability of online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for people with schizophrenia

Highlights

• People with schizophrenia are not active and experience high rates of obesity.

• The Internet is a source of health information for individuals with schizophrenia.

• We examined online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for this group.

• Most online information was not supported by any physical activity guidelines.

• Online information was difficult to access and written at a high grade reading level.

Abstract

Individuals with schizophrenia are not physically active and experience high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Research shows that the Internet is a valuable and convenient source of health information for individuals with schizophrenia. Despite its importance, online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for this population has not been assessed. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the accuracy, quality, and readability of online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for people with schizophrenia. This review followed an adapted methodology proposed by Jetha, Faulkner, Gorczynski, Arbour, and Martin Ginis (2011). Websites were obtained from mental health organizations and following a standardized search protocol. Websites were included in the review if they discussed physical activity, exercise, or sport information and individuals with schizophrenia. Overall, 17 websites were included in the review. Two researchers independently evaluated each website for descriptive characteristics, information accuracy, technical quality, theoretical behavioral quality, targeting strategies, and readability. Information on physical activity, exercise, or sport was mostly provided on websites designed by community organizations (41%) and news agencies (41%). Most websites (59%) did not provide information that was supported by any physical activity guidelines for aerobic or resistance exercises. Nearly all websites (94%) mentioned the benefits and barriers to active living, but few (29%) discussed other cognitive or behavioral aspects that could promote physical activity participation. The majority of websites (88%) required a reading grade level of 10 or higher. More research is necessary to help tailor online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for this population.

Introduction

Individuals living with schizophrenia exhibit low levels of physical activity, which impact their physical and mental health as well as overall quality of life (Gorczynski & Faulkner, 2010). Low levels of physical activity in this population have contributed to a high rate of obesity and obesity related mortality (Laursen, Munk-Olsen, & Vestergaard, 2012). Given that physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for overall mortality (Kokkinos, Sheriff, & Kheirbek, 2011), strategies are needed to help individuals with schizophrenia become and stay active to reduce the high rate of morbidity and mortality in this population.

Despite the high interest in physical activity and exercise, individuals with schizophrenia lack the necessary experience in being active and therefore have low levels of knowledge and confidence to become and stay active (Johnstone, Nicol, Donaghy, & Larie, 2009). Providing individuals with schizophrenia with more information about health, physical activity, exercise, and resources in the community, may be one strategy to help increase levels of physical activity in this population (McDevitt, Snyder, Miller, & Wilbur, 2006). Research shows that the Internet is a valuable, confidential, and convenient source of health information for some individuals with schizophrenia (Schrank, Sibitz, Unger, & Amerin, 2010). Individuals with schizophrenia rely on the Internet to verify symptoms, learn about their medication, and also find information about various services related to their treatment (Schrank et al., 2010). Despite its importance, online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for this population has not been evaluated. The purpose of this review was to examine the accuracy, quality, and readability grade level of online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for people with schizophrenia.