• Summary This review concluded that behavioural techniques were effective in improving fatigue, depression, anxiety and stress and physical exercise was effective in improving fatigue, depression, body-image and HRQoL in breast cancer patients and survivors. The authors' conclusions are over-optimistic given the limitations in review methodology and should be interpreted with caution as they may not be reliable. • Objectives To evaluate the effect of behavioural techniques and physical exercise on psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients and survivors. • Study selection Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of behavioural techniques or physical exercise in patients with breast cancer and survivors of breast cancer were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes included fatigue, depression, anxiety, body-image (self concept, body image, self esteem, self perception) stress and HRQoL. Interventions included a wide variety of behavioural techniques and physical exercise as individual and/or group interventions (details reported). Intervention duration ranged from three to 57 sessions and included patients with all grades of breast cancer (0-IV). The authors did not state how many reviewers performed the selection.

• Objective The objective of this multicenter randomised clinical trial was to examine the effect of exercise versus occupational therapy on mental and physical health in schizophrenia patients. • Method Sixty‐three patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 2 h of structured exercise (n = 31) or occupational therapy (n = 32) weekly for 6 months. Symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and cardiovascular fitness levels (Wpeak and VO2peak), as assessed with a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures were the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Camberwell Assessment of Needs, body mass index, body fat percentage, and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

To establish associations between physical exercise during leisure time and prevalence, incidence and course of mental disorders. Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study, a 3-wave cohort study in a representative sample (N=7,076) of Dutch adults. Mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Physical activity was established by the number of hours per week people spent on taking physical exercise.

The societal and personal burden of depressive illness is considerable. Despite the developments in treatment strategies, the effectiveness of both medication and psychotherapy is not ideal. Physical activity, including exercise, is a relatively cheap and non-harmful lifestyle intervention which lacks the side-effects of medication and does not require the introspective ability necessary for most psychotherapies. Several cohort studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed to establish the effect of physical activity on prevention and remission of depressive illness. However, recent meta-analysis's of all RCTs in this area showed conflicting results. The objective of the present article is to describe the design of a RCT examining the effect of exercise on depressive patients. METHODS/DESIGN: The EFFect Of Running Therapy on Depression in adults (EFFORT-D) is a RCT, studying the effectiveness of exercise therapy (running therapy (RT) or Nordic walking (NW)) on depression in adults, in addition to usual care. The study population consists of patients with depressive disorder, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) ≥ 14, recruited from specialised mental health care. The experimental group receives the exercise intervention besides treatment as usual, the control group receives treatment as usual. The intervention program is a group-based, 1 h session, two times a week for 6 months and of increasing intensity. The control group only performs low intensive non-aerobic exercises. Measurements are performed at inclusion and at 3,6 and 12 months. Primary outcome measure is reduction in depressive symptoms measured by the HRSD. Cardio-respiratory fitness is measured using a sub maximal cycling test, biometric information is gathered and blood samples are collected for metabolic parameters. Also, co-morbidity with pain, anxiety and personality traits is studied, as well as quality of life and cost-effectiveness.

Background The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention to reduce work-related fatigue. Exercise is a potentially effective intervention strategy to reduce work-related fatigue, since it may enhance employees’ ability to cope with work stress and it helps to detach from work. However, based on available research, no clear causal inferences regarding its efficacy can be made. This RCT therefore investigates whether exercise is effective in reducing work-related fatigue, and in improving other indicators of employees’ mental and physical well-being and performance. Methods/design A two-arm parallel trial will be conducted. Participants (N = 108) who experience high levels of work-related fatigue will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to a 6-week exercise intervention or wait list (control). The exercise intervention consists of three one-hour low-intensity outdoor running sessions a week. Each week, two sessions take place in a group under supervision of a trainer, and one session is completed individually. The running sessions will be carried out during leisure time. The primary outcome is work-related fatigue. Secondary outcomes include work ability, self-efficacy, sleep quality, cognitive functioning, and aerobic fitness. These data will be collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention. In addition, weekly measures of employees’ well-being, and exercise activities (i.e. type, frequency, and duration) and experiences (i.e. pleasure, effort, and detachment) will be collected during the intervention period.

The purpose of this article is twofold: To show policymakers, other (healthcare) professionals and managers the variety of the contribution of occupational therapy in primary care. To support occupational therapists by showing them possible interventions to introduce the profession in primary care, but also to show already established occupational therapists in primary care in which areas they can specialize or start new initiatives.•

 Psychological care for the English speaking expat. Internet-based and Active walking therapy.Inter-Active Therapy is an innovative blended-care approach to psychological therapy that makes use of both face-to-face contact and web-based tools. Therapy sessions are conducted outdoors, in any one of the many parks and green areas around the North Holland region. Internet therapy is also available for people living further outside North Holland or for those who’s work requires them to travel frequently. As a client you are given access to a private online portal that is customized to your needs, giving you information about the therapy you are following, and insights into the progress you are making. At the end of the process you will be able to reflect back on a personalized guide that can continue supporting you into the future. There is a lot we can work on together. I specialize in helping depression, difficulty adjusting to life or the environment, stress, burnout and anxiety, frustration intolerance and substance dependence. I also specialize in supporting men who have issues adapting to parenthood.

In the program, people meet in a running group at least once a week with an experienced runner and trained psychologist.

• What is APGS ? APGS asbl is an association for the prevention and management of pathologies linked to chronic stress in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. It offers tailored physical and body oriented psychotherapy activities for people with depression or burnout. These activities are offered alongside the medico-psychological follow-up or after the hospitalization. This association offers supervised activities to reduce the level of internal tension. • Offer in the way of physical activity The activities proposed enhance the decrease in the level of internal tension via physical and mental relaxation, the awareness of the body via the perception of their own feelings and the orientation of the gaze on an objective reality, the development of self-esteem and self-confidence, a gradual return to movement and socialization, while respecting one's abilities. • Types of exercises offered The activities are offered in a caring and reassuring context. The sessions are tailored to the participants' abilities so that they can respect their needs and their current state. APGS offers weekly classes in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. The sessions of tailored physical activities combine body gymnastics at low cardiovascular intensity, stretching, suppleness, and postural gymnastics to reduce the pain and tensions of the body. Sessions of body oriented psychotherapy activities (dynamic relaxation, Qi Qong, Feldenkrais) lead the progressive learning of the relaxation of the body and the mind and provide tools to better manage chronic stress. • Who can participate? These accompanying activities are reserved for persons benefiting from a medical or psychological follow-up or that are out of hospitalization (mild or moderate depression, burnout). A medical clearance to practice physical activities is required.

• What is “Movin’Kids”? In 2010, the Medical Service of the Schools of Luxembourg City in collaboration with the Luxembourg City Sports Service has established a group of physical activity for overweight children. The project has been launched at the start of the academic year 2010-2011. The aim is to provide children the love of moving and feeling of success without being involved in competition. This is done in an atmosphere of well-being whilst creating team spirit. Furthermore, specific workshops on eating habits and self-esteem are organized. A dietary monitoring is offered to families. • Offer for physical activity Games and various sports activities are offered to the children. These activities are organized outside as well as inside in the gym; multi-sport and gymnastics are proposed, and, in addition, swimming is offered alternately. The intensity of the exercises and the level of difficulty are adapted to each participant’s abilities. All of these activities are animated and supervised by sport monitors from the Sports Service who have the appropriate qualifications. • Offer for health promotion Physical activity is important but a balanced and healthy diet is also necessary for the well-being of children. In this context, workshops on healthy eating and self-esteem are offered by the Medical Service as well as a dietetic follow. • Who can participate? The registration is open to all children from Luxembourg-City with overweight trouble at the age of 8 to 12 years. The recruitment is done after the screening of the children during their medical examination as part of the school medicine. A registration at the initiative of their parents is also possible after the control if the file by the medical team. The upper limit of participants is 20.

Several epidemiological studies have shown that exercise (EX) and physical activity (PA) can prevent or delay the onset of different mental disorders, and have therapeutic benefits when used as sole or adjunct treatment in mental disorders. This review summarizes studies that used EX interventions in patients with anxiety, affective, eating, and substance use disorders, as well as schizophrenia and dementia/mild cognitive impairment. Despite several decades of clinical evidence with EX interventions, controlled studies are sparse in most disorder groups.

Background A healthy lifestyle can be beneficial for one’s mental health. Thus, identifying healthy lifestyle choices that promote psychological well-being and reduce mental problems is useful to prevent mental disorders. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the predictive values of a broad range of lifestyle choices for positive mental health (PMH) and mental health problems (MHP) in German and Chinese students. Method Data were assessed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Samples included 2991 German (Mage = 21.69, SD = 4.07) and 12,405 Chinese (Mage = 20.59, SD = 1.58) university students. Lifestyle choices were body mass index, frequency of physical and mental activities, frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetarian diet, and social rhythm irregularity. PMH and MHP were measured with the Positive Mental Health Scale and a 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. The predictive values of lifestyle choices for PMH and MHP at baseline and follow-up were assessed with single-group and multi-group path analyses.