Graduate student Mehala Subramanieapillai is taking an active approach to mental health.
Working with the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre (MPARC) at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Subramanieapillai’s research includes investigating how physical activity interventions can be used to support those living with serious mental illnesses through a specific study on schizophrenia
The study involves multiple patients with schizophrenia. The participants take part in one of two activities – 20 minutes of moderate physical activity, or sitting passively for the same amount of time. Subramanieapillai then measures changes in the participant’s executive function and asks each person to return a week later to complete the other activity.
Subramanieaphillai explains that the impairment of cognitive functions (mental processes such as planning, reasoning and problem solving) is the core feature of schizophrenia. And while this impairment reduces a person’s capacity to actively participate independently within society, it also improves rapidly with moderate physical activity.
“While physical exercise for mental illness may be a common notion,” says Subramanieaphillai, “it is one that is often overlooked. That’s why I was motivated to focus my research on this topic.”
Subramanieaphillai’s study will be the first (pilot study) to examine whether physical activity has as significant effect on people living with schizophrenia. She hopes that her research will also contribute to the evidence supporting greater integration of physical activity into mental health care services.