Abstract
The objective was to assess the mental health of the participants using psychological and biological indicators in a health promotion program. We conducted the individual program without any face-to-face communications among instructors and participants. The program offered Physical Activity (PA) data and exercise guidance to subjects, using digital devices. We quantified the amount and intensity of daily PA with a uniaxial accelerometer. Activities are categorized into eleven activity levels (0, 0.5, 1.0–9.0). Two batteries of psychosocial questionnaires and measurements of free-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in saliva were completed before and after the program. The program showed no significant changes of mean values of all subjects in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores, and the amounts of MHPG, either. A positive correlation was observed between the increases in the PA and the reductions in the BDI score. Furthermore, the BDI reductions correlated positively with the increased time spent in the PA at light and moderate activity levels. The MHPG increases demonstrated a significant relationship with the decreases of time spent in the PA at the activity level of sleep or non-activity. The different properties of MHPG as an index of mental health were compared with psychological questionnaires. This pilot study suggested that monitoring not only the total amounts of PA but also the intensity and duration of activities might be important to offer adequate guidance of mental health to individuals. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of PA on mental health.
