Physiotherapy Within Inpatient Mental Health Wards: Involvement, Diagnoses, and Lifestyle Characteristics

Background: Severe mental illness (SMI) is often linked to physical health issues, including multiple comorbidities. Physiotherapists are increasingly recognized for their role in addressing these health disparities. This study investigated the role of physiotherapy in managing physical health conditions in individuals admitted to inpatient mental health services.
Objective: The primary aim was to examine the prevalence of physical comorbidities among individuals admitted to inpatient mental health services, comparing those referred to physiotherapy versus those not referred. Secondary aims included assessing the relationship between physiotherapy referral and admission duration and identifying patterns in referral likelihood based on primary and comorbid diagnoses.
Methods: A data linkage analysis was conducted using records from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, encompassing admissions from September 2020 to January 2023. Demographic data, physiotherapy referral status, and SNOMED-CT coded diagnoses were analyzed. Results: Among 2150 admissions, 505 (23.5%) were referred for physiotherapy. Multimorbidity was present in 58.1% of admissions, with a higher prevalence (67.8%) in those referred to physiotherapy versus those not referred (55.1%). Individuals referred to physiotherapy had longer lengths of stay (117.3 days), compared to those not referred (44.1 days), suggesting that extended stays may indirectly facilitate the identification and management of physiotherapy needs. Referral likelihood was influenced by primary diagnoses and comorbidities.
Conclusions: Approximately one in four inpatient admissions resulted in a physiotherapy referral, with a higher prevalence of multimorbidity in those referred. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term impacts of physiotherapy interventions on physical and mental health outcomes.