Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Patients with Mental Illness in a Veterans Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: A Review of the Literature

Mental illness continues to be a leading cause of stressor especially for veterans in the United States. These problems are affecting the role functioning and relationships. The purpose of this review was to explore extensive literature on the benefits of aerobic exercise that lead to non-pharmacological interventions to help patients who suffer from mental illness in a veterans hospital inpatient mental health unit. Patients admitted to inpatient mental health units have a diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizoaffective disorders. They should also meet the diagnostic criteria of suicidal or homicidal ideation. Sometimes it may be a veteran who is unable to care for self or needs medical supervision. Upon conclusion of the literature review, evidence has shown to provide significant data supporting the benefit of aerobic exercises.