Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood pose significant physical and psychosocial challenges for women, increasing their vulnerability to mental health disorders. In addition to the common “baby blues,” which usually self-regulate, mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and psychosis can occur during the peripartum period. Persistent mental health problems in the mother affect not only her well-being but also that of her child, impacting the child’s emotional and behavioral development. Furthermore, postpartum mental health disorders often impact mother-child interaction. Despite the severity of the issue, shame and fear of stigmatization often cause it to be treated as taboo. Furthermore, treatment options are underrepresented.

The submitted contribution presents an outpatient therapeutic treatment program for women with postpartum mental health disorders and shares data on symptom severity collected using screening instruments.

The Wahrendorff Clinic, a specialist psychiatric hospital in Lower Saxony (Germany) offers the outpatient therapeutic treatment program for women affected by postpartum mental disorders during and after pregnancy. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-P) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) are used to evaluate symptom severity at the beginning of treatment.

The therapeutic treatment program focuses on providing therapeutic support and involves family members. It is administered by psychological psychotherapists, systemic therapists, and psychiatrists, who also provide medication. An evaluation is also carried out to assess the need for treatment, the severity of symptoms, and suicidal tendencies and risk factors. Other key aspects include providing referrals to inpatient parent-child facilities, breastfeeding support, early intervention services, parent support groups, and assistance in applying for domestic help or further outpatient psychotherapy. Preliminary results regarding mental health issues during the postpartum period, as measured by DASS-P and EDPS (n = 20), are also presented.

The implications of the therapeutic treatment program are discussed in light of the preliminary results.

V. Rößner-Ruff Employee of: No conflict value, J. Krieger Employee of: No conflict value, C. Penkov Employee of: No conflict value, K. Friedrich Employee of: No conflict value, M. Ziegenbein Employee of: No conflict value, A. Wilkening Employee of: No conflict value

Studies and the S3 practice guidelines in psychiatry and psychotherapy show that health-promoting measures are highly relevant in the treatment of mental illness. Current psychiatric care research still shows ambivalent findings regarding the effects of specific diets on psychopathogenic symptoms. In particular, the quality of nutrition and different effects in a psychosomatic context are the focus of studies on different eating habits. Research results outside of biomedical markers are subject to limitations with regard to a psychotherapeutic perspective on nutrition and its influence on mental health. The influence of mindfulness-based interventions in the context of third-wave psychotherapy on the improvement of psychopathogenic symptoms has been comprehensively documented. Mindfulness-related aspects also appear to be significant in the context of nutrition. This intervention study addresses this research gap by examining the influence of mindfulness-centred nutritional therapy on the improvement of mindful eating behaviour, the effects of psychopathogenic symptom severity and structure-promoting nutritional skills, thus taking an alternative, scientific perspective on nutrition and mental health.

What influence does mindfulness-based nutritional therapy have on improving psychopathogenic symptoms?

Following a newly developed, mindfulness-focused nutritional therapy consisting of theoretical and practical units, patients in the intervention group at a specialist psychiatric-psychosomatic hospital completed a four-week therapy unit consisting of several modules. In a measurement taken at three different points in time, a battery of questionnaires was used to examine the influences and modifications of mindfulness and to survey mindfulness-based factors in the context of nutrition, as well as changes in eating patterns towards health-promoting eating behaviour and possible effects on overall psychological stress.

The descriptive and inferential statistical results of the study are presented using regression analyses and multifactorial ANOVA with repeated measurements.

In accordance with the existing research gap, initial conclusions are to be drawn about the possible influence of a mindfulness-based nutritional intervention on improving mindfulness-based nutritional skills and reducing overall symptom severity. Based on the exploration of the possible influence of a multimodal therapy unit, the aim of the study is to investigate the causal effectiveness factors of the application-focused, mindfulness-based nutritional intervention using further influencing variables in a control group setting along nutritional problems of patients with psychopathogenic symptoms, as well as to derive possible implications for the treatment of mental illnesses.

None Declared

Sports and Exercise Therapies (SET) have been indicated to have a therapeutic effect on the symptoms of mental illness, both as a complementary and as a stand-alone treatment. Furthermore, they have the capacity to exert a therapeutic or preventive effect in relation to (possible) physical comorbidities. Consequently, treatment guidelines recommend the integration of SET as a complementary therapy within a multimodal treatment approach. However, in Germany the data on the use of SET during treatment is inconsistent. It is therefore necessary to investigate the extent to which SET promotes physical activity in patients during (partial) inpatient treatment and, in particular, supports a physically active lifestyle beyond the treatment period, thus contributing to long-term stabilisation.

The present study investigates the extent to which SET influences patients’ physical activity during treatment. Moreover, the study examines the extent to which patients’ physical activity levels change before, during, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment.

In a longitudinal study adults are surveyed using a self-reported questionnaire at the start of (partial) inpatient treatment, at the end of treatment, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment. The study is being conducted in a psychotherapeutic and psychosomatic specialist hospital in Lower Saxony, Germany. SET is a therapeutic intervention that is part of the treatment approach of the clinic. The level of physical activity is documented in minutes per week by means of a self-report questionnaire (BSA questionnaire). A distinction is made between everyday activities and sporting activities. Factors influencing physical activity are measured, including self-efficacy expectations, sport and exercise-related self-concordance, therapeutic alliance and the subjectively perceived effectiveness of SET.

The results of the statistical data analysis are presented.

Based on the results, possible conclusions regarding the actual use of SET and its effects on physical activity are discussed. Implications for maintaining a physically active lifestyle beyond the end of treatment are considered, from a motivational psychology perspective.

None Declared

Methods of neurostimulation have been used to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Several methods of non-invasive brain stimulation have been investigated, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS). While ECT, TMS and tDCS have been studied extensively, there is an urgent need for more research on TPS. In the context of Alzheimer’s disease, for example, some studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes when TPS was used as a neurostimulation method. However, this method has yet to be incorporated into clinical practice due to the inability to conclusively assess its effectiveness, which is influenced by several factors.

A new method of neurostimulation, TPS, will be presented. The results of a recent study that used TPS on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will also be presented. The study aims to investigate whether cognitive performance increases significantly and depressive symptom severity decreases significantly.

Cognitive performance (MoCA) and depressive symptoms (GDS) of patients with mild or moderate early- or late-onset AD, will be assessed at baseline (t1), three months (t2), six months (t3) and nine months (t4) following treatment with TPS. For this monocenter, longitudinal study, participants will be recruited from an outpatient setting at a specialized psychiatric-psychotherapeutic clinic in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Preliminary data; repeated measures ANOVA; mean scores MoCA t1 = 13,9 vs. t2 = 14,1 vs. t3 = 14,5 vs. t4 = 14,4 (F(2, 66) = .749, n.s.), mean scores GDS t1 = 9,5 vs. t2 = 7,6 vs. t3 = 6,8 vs. t4 = 5,9 (F(2, 32 = 4.410, p ˂ .05). n = 40.

The results suggest that cognitive performance can be stabilized and depressive symptoms can be reduced by using TPS in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is important to note that the results are based on a relatively small sample size and lack control conditions, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of TPS treatment for AD and to assess its potential as an add-on therapy that complements previous drug and non-drug approaches.

V. Rößner-Ruff Employee of: No conflict value, C. Penkov Employee of: No conflict value, J. Michaelsen Employee of: No conflict value, J. Krieger Employee of: No conflict value, K. Friedrich Employee of: No conflict value, M. Ziegenbein Employee of: No conflict value

The role of interpersonal relationship behavior in the genesis and maintenance of mental disorders is well documented in the literature. Practical interactions from the field of group training for social skills (GSK) and nonviolent communication (NVC) offer effective approaches for improving social interaction skills. In the context of affective disorders, men in particular often exhibit social isolation latency, increased irritability, and interpersonal conflict potential in addition to the core symptoms of depression, which often results in unstable self-esteem. Based on the research findings, this pilot study highlights a reevaluation of the effectiveness of practical interventions with regard to improving social skills using a newly created intervention module consisting of elements of GSK and NVC, as well as the prospective effectiveness in the context of gender-specific treatment of mental illness.

Effectiveness of a newly designed therapy model consisting of GSK and NVC in gender-specific treatment of depressive disorders and implications for improved treatment approaches especially with regard to gender-specific interaction patterns and self-esteem instability.

Along a newly designed therapy module consisting of eight units, patients in the intervention group at the day clinic for men at a psychiatric-psychosomatic specialist hospital complete a multimodal therapy unit lasting several weeks in a behavior therapy-oriented, group-specific treatment setting to improve their social skills. The individual modules comprise both theoretical and practical teaching approaches from the fields of GSK and NVC, using role-play situations and emotion-focused interventions for the interactive exploration of socially adaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns. Social competence factors are assessed in a pre-post design using the Social Competence Inventory (ISK-K) and correlations with self-esteem are compared with the control group. In the future, gender-specific differences in the effectiveness of multimodal social competence training between men and women will also be investigated.

The descriptive and inferential statistical results are presented.

The aim of application-focused social skills training is to explore the potential influence of a new multimodal therapy unit on the modification of interactional problems and self-esteem in patients with male-specific psychopathogenic symptoms, and to derive possible implications for the treatment of mental illness in a gender-specific context.

None Declared

Given the elevated risk of relapse following the completion of acute inpatient depression treatment until remission, the guidelines advise the use of maintenance therapy or continuation over several months, with a focus on relapse prevention. Digital health technologies can facilitate support for patients at the vulnerable interface when changing from partial inpatient treatment to further outpatient treatment, therby contributing to a successful transition between healthcare sectors. Accordingly, an app-supported intervention was examined. The app was utilized as a communication platform for this purpose. A distinguishing aspect of this approach is the additional psychotherapeutic assistance provided to patients via the app by their therapists after they have been discharged from the day clinic. The application enables sharing individualized therapy content and facilitates communication via a chat function.

The objective of the present study is to investigate whether the app-intervention can provided continuity of care despite prolonged waiting periods when a transition is made from part-time inpatient to outpatient care.

This is a longitudinal intervention study. Depressive symptoms (BDI-II) and quality of life (WHOQOL_BREF) are measured at the conclusion of part-time inpatient treatment (t1) and eight weeks post treatment (t2). The study will recruit participants diagnosed with depression from a day clinic at a hospital for mental health in Lower Saxony, Germany. The control group engage in the local in person eight-week aftercare groups offered by the psychiatric hospital. The participants in the intervention group engage in app-supported digital aftercare.

The results of the statistical data analysis are presented.

The results provide insight into whether the app-based intervention achieves a comparable level of stabilization to local in-person eight-week aftercare groups. Feedback from the intervention on the use of the app is critically discussed with regard to possible obstacles.

None Declared

Since the risk of relapse is particularly high after completion of acute treatment of depression until remission, the guidelines recommend maintenance therapy or continuation over several months and subsequent relapse prevention. In contrast, average waiting time for further outpatient treatment after a part-time inpatient stay is 19.9 weeks in Germany. Digital health technologies can help to support patients at the vulnerable interface when changing health care sectors from part-time inpatient treatment to further outpatient treatment and contribute to a successful change of health care sectors.

Flowzone is a digital communication platform in which therapists and patients can stay in contact after completion of part-time inpatient treatment. Individualized therapy content can be shared with patients in weekly plans and communication can be maintained via the chat function. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether Flowzone enables continuity despite long waiting times when health care sectors changes from part-time inpatient to outpatient care.

In a longitudinal intervention study depressive symptoms (BDI-II) and quality of life (WHOqoL-Bref) will be assed at the end of part-time inpatient treatment (t1) and 8 weeks after end of treatment (t2). Participants diagnosed with depression will be recruited in a day clinic with treatment focus of men of a psychiatric psychotherapeutic specialist hospital in Lower Saxony (Germany). Participants of control group (CG, n = 11) will take part in the local 8 week aftercare groups of the psychiatric hospital. Participants of intervention group (IG, n = 21) will take part in the digital aftercare with Flowzone. Furthermore subjective benefit, of IG will be measured. In addition, the subjective benefit and user experiences of IG will be measured.

Mean BDI scores of IG are t1 = 14 vs. t2 = 15 and of CG t1 = 9. Mean values of IG for WHOqoL-Bref domains are general quality of life t1= 77/ t2 = 73; physical health t1= 71/ t2 = 68; psychological health t1 = 59/ t2 = 55; social relationships t1 = 65/ t2 = 57; environment t1 = 77/ t2= 71. Further inferential statistical analysis and group comparisons will be reported when date are available.

Results might suggest that depressive symptoms and quality of life could be stabilized with the use of Flowzone 8 weeks after part-time inpatient treatment. Further data collection will allow statistical comparisons to CG. Inclusion of the CG with standard follow-up in an outpatient setting is needed. Flowzone could help to bridge the gap in treatment when patients switch health care sectors and experience a gap between part-time inpatient care and further outpatient care.

None Declared

A growing body of evidence suggests that physical activity can be an effective treatment for depression. In consideration of individual conditions, Sports and Exercise Therapy may be used as standalone or complementary treatment during partial or full-time inpatient treatment. However, current data indicate that only a minority of patients make use of it during the course of their treatment. The beneficial health effects of exercise on mental health can only be realized if the exercise is actually undertaken. Therefore, further research is required on the motivational psychological aspects of participation in Sports and Exercise Therapy. It can be assumed that it is crucial to consider the individual patient preferences when initiating and sustaining physical activity. Moreover, there are notable differences between men and women in terms of their motivation for engaging in exercise.

The present study examines gender-based differences in the motivation underlying the participation in Sports and Exercise Therapy during the course of inpatient treatment for depression, whether on a partial or full-time basis.

In a psychotherapeutic and psychosomatic hospital, motives for Sports and Exercise Therapy of female and male (age 35-64) patients with a primary diagnosis of depression were recorded using the Bernese Motive and Goal Inventory in Leisure and Health Sports. The motives analysed include contact, body/appearance, competition/performance, distraction/catharsis, health, fitness and aesthetics. The survey was conducted within seven days of admission to either partial or full-time inpatient treatment setting.

The total number of patients included in the analysis was 140, comprising 65.0% male (mean-age=48.0, 21.0% full-time treatment) and 35.0% female (mean-age=50.7, 43.0% full-time treatment). The most important motives for both men and women are health (M male=4.29, M female=4.37), fitness (M male=4.20, M female=4.20) and distraction/catharsis (M male=3.72, M female=3.80) due to the highest mean scores. Compared to women (M=1,60, SD=0.77) men (M=2.19, SD=1.93) reported significantly higher mean score for the competition/performance motive (U-test, z=3.987, p<.001). No further significant gender differences were identified.

Significant gender differences were found only for the motive competition/ performance, despite this motive rated lowest on average. The absence of further gender differences may be due to the fact that gender differences may be of less importance for Sports and Exercise Therapy in the treatment context. On average health, fitness, and distraction/ catharsis were rated highest by both genders. This is consistent with typical symptoms during depression, which involve distraction from negative thoughts as well as recovering physical fitness to cope with everyday life. All authors of this study declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

None Declared

Neurostimulation procedures have also been in use for some time to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In the field of non-invasive brain stimulation, a number of methods have been the subject of investigation, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), and transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS). Although TMS and tES have been the subject of more extensive investigation, particularly in the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and depression, there remains a pressing need for research into TPS. Some studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes when these methods were used. Nevertheless, these methodes have yet to be incorporated into clinical practice, largely due to the inability to conclusively assess and confirm their effectiveness, which is influenced by a number of factors.

TPS as a method of neurostimulation will be presented. Results of a recent study using TPS in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease will also be presented. The aim of the study is to investigate whether cognitive performance is significantly increased and depressive symptom severity is significantly reduced. Furthermore, a research proposal for the use of TPS in patients diagnosed with a depressive disorder will be presented.

The cognitive performance (MoCA) and depressive symptoms (GDS) of patients with early- or late-onset, mild or moderate AD will be assessed at baseline (t1), three months (t2) and six months (t3) following treatment with TPS. In the context of this longitudinal study, which is designed with a single center, the participants will be recruited in an outpatient setting within a specialized psychiatric-psychotherapeutic clinic in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Repeated measures ANOVA; Mean scores MoCA t1 = 13,9 vs. t2 = 14,1 vs. t3 = 14,5 (F(2, 66) = .749, n.s.). Mean scores GDS t1 = 9,5 vs. t2 = 7,6 vs. t3 = 6,8 (F(2, 32 = 4.410, p ˂ .05). n = 34. Preliminary data for the study of TPS in AD, study is being continued. Research proposal for the use of TPS in patients diagnosed with a depressive disorder will also be presented.

As in other studies, remarkable effects were shown with the use of TPS in patients with a mild to moderate AD. The results may indicate that the cognitive performance can be stabilized and the depressive symptom severity can be reduced. It is important to note that the results are based on a relatively small sample size and lack control conditions, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Further research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of TPS in AD and to assess the potential suitability of neurostimulation as an add-on therapy, complementing previous drug and non-drug approaches. Further research is also required in the use of TPS in depression given the dearth of scientifically reliable findings on this topic.

None Declared

80% of users of inpatient integration assistance facilities prefer to live in their own home. Access to training opportunities on the labor market is also difficult for people with severe mental illness. Permeability within the care system remains low, meaning that external orientation on the residential or labor market is associated with numerous hurdles. In a dissertation, 18 people from an inpatient integration support facility were followed in a qualitative longitudinal design on their way into their own home.

Based on these findings, a project is now being established to support people on their way to greater participation and independence from inpatient facilities. It consists of a multi-stage group program that combines psychoeducational elements with peer-oriented interventions. In addition, an information team of social workers, psychologists and peers is being set up to advise interested users. The project is rounded off by an aftercare program that provides users with advice and is primarily intended to bridge any difficult situations that may arise and build up a support network.

Users of inpatient integration assistance at a facility in Lower Saxony with an interest in external orientation in the area of living or working. Expected sample size approx. 50 users in a naturalistic longitudinal design. Accompanying evaluation with three measurement points on the development of perceived social support (F-SozU), quality of life (OxCAP-MH) and the subjective benefits of the project to strengthen the participants’ opportunities for participation and the use of further support services.

The project with the individual modules and initial experiences during the implementation phase will be presented.

Possible adjustments to the offer are derived and discussed on the basis of the initial results.

None Declared

Higher prevalence & incidence rates of depressive disorder in women compared with men are among the recurring findings from epidemiologic & clinical studies. The literature suggests that this is not due to a lower need for treatment of depression in men. In the context of the concept ‘male depression’ (MD), it is often argued that men tend to have so called ‘non-typical’ depressive symptoms. These symptoms (such as aggressiveness, irritability, alcohol use, risk-taking & antisocial behavior) are rarely considered in the diagnosis of depressive disorders, which may lead to underdiagnosis. With regard to the occurrence of ‘non-typical’ depressive symptoms and the concept MD, the importance of masculine personality traits is often discussed. The topic of the session is the extent to which gender-related personality traits such as masculine, feminine, androgynous & undifferentiated are associated with the occurrence and severity of ‘non-typical’ and ‘typical’ depressive symptoms in women and men with a depressive disorder.

The results of a study in a clinical setting will be presented. The aim of the study was to investigate whether above mentioned gender-related personality traits are associated with increased severity of depressive symptoms and whether there are differences between women & men.

Depressive symptoms (GMDS & BDI II) and gender-related personality traits (GEPAQ) were assessed in female & male patients (≥ 18 years) with an unipolar depressive disorder (ICD-10). Participants were recruited from inpatient settings & day clinics of specialized psychiatric-psychotherapeutic hospitals in Germany. The multicenter study with a cross-sectional design has been completed. Data from the clinical sample were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.

Multiple linear regression analysis: criteria variable GMDS & predicting variable GEPAQ (masculine pt) b-coefficient women = -1.36 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = -1.48 (p ≤ .01); criteria variable GMDS & predicting variable GEPAQ (feminin pt) b-coefficient women = .12 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = .79 (n.s.); criteria variable BDI II & predicting variable GEPAQ (masculine pt) b-coefficient women = -1.72 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = -4.23 (p ≤ .01); criteria variable BDI II & predicting variable GEPAQ (feminin pt) b-coefficient women = .95 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = .-24 (n.s.)

Gender-related personality traits are associated with the occurrence and severity of ‘non-typical’ & ‘typical’ depressive symptoms. They should be considered in the diagnosis & treatment of depression. Gender differences have also been identified. In men, the expression of masculine personality traits does not lead to an increase in depressive symptoms, especially not in ‘non-typical’ depressive symptoms, as was originally thought. Based on these and other recent findings, the concept of MD can be critically discussed.

None Declared

Studies on the psychological impact of a vegan diet and its effect on mental health are still, although the interdisciplinary literature points to significant diet-related cognitions associated with the active choice of a plant-based diet. This study addresses this research gap by framing veganism as an identity-associated aspect of self-concept in young vegans and examines the influence of self-esteem resulting from the vegan diet on symptoms of unipolar depression in a biopsychosocial framework model.

veganism as an identity-associated aspect of self-concept

influence of self-esteem resulting from the vegan diet on symptoms of unipolar depression

alternative perspective on the connections between psyche and nutrition

In a representative sample of n = 659 students from German universities, the absolute and additional influence of diet-related self-esteem on depressive symptoms was investigated using hierarchical regression, taking biopsychosocial covariates into account.

It was found that the self-esteem experience of the test subjects specifically gained from the vegan diet exerts a statistically significant influence on depressive symptoms (B = - 37, SE(B) = 0.02, p <.001) and can also explain a statistically significant additional proportion of the total variance in a biopsychosocial model of depression (ΔR2 = .18, F [1,649] = 272.34, p <.001). Together, the model of eight covariates and nutrition-related self-esteem can explain 57% of depressive symptoms (R2 = .57, F [9,649] = 94.81, p < .001¸ f2 = 0.13). This statistically significant influence of diet-related self-esteem also persists in an exploratory study of different severity levels of depressiogenic distress

The results provide evidence of a psychological impact factor in relation to a vegan diet and identify psychological consequences and thus open up a new research perspective in clinical psychology.

None Declared

Physical activity can be therapeutically effective in the treatment of depressive disorders. There is a need for research in clinical practice both with regard to the framework conditions required for physical activity and whether the implementation of sports therapy under the conditions of everyday care can have an effect on physical fitness and depressive symptoms. This study therefore examines the effect of sports and exercise therapy in the day-care treatment of unipolar depression.

• - treatment of depressive disorders

• - implementation of sports therapy under the conditions of everyday care

Patients with a depressive disorder as their main clinical diagnosis (F32./F33.) who underwent day clinic treatment for 5-11 weeks were included. People in the intervention and control groups completed a minimum of 2.0 and a maximum of 0.5 exercise sessions per week respectively. To investigate the effect of sports and exercise therapy on aerobic performance, the intervention group completed a submaximal, bicycle ergometric step test (PWC test), whereby the heart rate was measured over the individual exercise levels in a pre-post comparison. Furthermore, the change in depression symptoms between the intervention and control group was recorded at admission and discharge from treatment using the BDI-II.

Patients in the intervention group (IG) showed a significantly greater reduction in depression symptoms compared to the control group (CG) (ΔBDI-II; M = - 8, p <.01).

In the pre-post comparison of PWC, IG achieved a significant increase in performance of 7 and 12 watts respectively (p <.05; t-test). Further inferential statistical results are reported.

Regular physical training can lead to a significant improvement in endurance performance and an improvement in depressive symptoms.

None Declared

As a complementary or stand-alone treatment, sport and exercise therapy (SET) can have a therapeutic effect on the symptoms of mental illness as well as having a therapeutic or preventive effect on physical comorbidities. Therefore, treatment guidelines recommend the integration of exercise therapy as a complementary approach in a multimodal treatment. In a clinical inpatient setting SET are supervised by specialised professionals and conducted in an individual or group setting. Low level of participation in SET during treatment points to the need for research into influencing factors. One study suggests, that SET during mental health treatment increases the likelihood of meeting the physical activity recommendations.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the extent to which SET can increase patients’ levels of physical activity during inpatient treatment and, in particular, promote a physically active lifestyle after inpatient treatment, thereby supporting long-term stabilisation. In order to gain further insight into the factors that influence participation in SET during treatment, this study analyses both intrapersonal and interindividual factors.

Patients (age ≥ 18 years, all genders) in partial- or full-time inpatient treatment at a psychotherapeutic and psychosomatic specialist clinic in Lower Saxony, Germany are examined by online self-report questionnaire. It’s a longitudinal study design with 3 time points (start of treatment, end of treatment, 12 weeks after the end of treatment). Patients participate in SET as part of their treatment. Physical activity in minutes per week and the therapeutic alliance between exercise therapists and patients are measured. In addition, self-efficacy expectations, sport- and exercise-related self-concordance and the subjectively perceived effectiveness of SET are assessed as further factors influencing physical activity.

The results of the inferential-static data analysis will be reported.

Based on the results, possible implications for the focus of SET and the role of exercise therapists are discussed. Conclusions based on motivational aspects of maintaining a physically active lifestyle after the end of treatment are considered.

None Declared

Physical activity has been identified as a therapeutic intervention for the treatment of depressive disorders. It can be conducted as a standalone intervention or as a complementary therapy method within a multimodal treatment framework. Engaging in physical activity is important for maintaining physical and mental health. There is a need for research on the implementation of exercise therapy interventions that takes into account everyday clinical practice outside the controlled conditions in study protocols. Physical activity is particularly promoted in the context of sports therapy.

Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the impact of exercise therapy in a day clinic setting on depressive symptom severity and cardiovascular fitness.

The study sample includes patients with a primary diagnosis of depression who had completed a minimum of four and a maximum of nine weeks of inpatient treatment in a psychotherapeutic and psychosomatic hospital in Germany. Patients in the intervention group (IG) receive exercise therapy at least twice a week throughout their treatment, while patients in the control group received a maximum of 0.5 units/week of exercise therapy. As part of the multimodal treatment setting, the exercise therapy interventions in both groups include spinal exercises, equipment-based strength and endurance training, soccer and table tennis. The BDI-II is administered to both groups to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. Cardiovascular fitness of IG is monitored using a submaximal cycle ergometer aerobic fitness test (PWC test) at baseline and at the end of treatment.

The total number of patients included in the analysis was n=37 in IG (male=78%, M age=42.05) and n=20 in CG (male=60%, M age=47,35). A significant reduction in the BDI-II score was observed in both the IG (M ΔBDI-II=-16.0, p<.001) and CG (M ΔBDI-II=-8.0, p<.05) from the beginning to the end of the treatment period. When comparing reduction in depressive symptoms between two groups, IG achieved statistically significant greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared to the CG (M ΔBDI-II=-8.0, p<.01). Participants in the IG showed a statistically significant improvement in performance, with an increase of 7 watts for the PWC130 and 12 watts for the PWC150 (p<.05), as measured by the submaximal cycle ergometer aerobic fitness test throughout treatment.

The integration of exercise therapy into a multimodal treatment framework was observed to positively impact both physical and mental health outcomes. Given the presence of physical comorbidities and relapses, further research should investigate the long-term impact of behavioral changes related to physically active lifestyle.

None Declared

Personality functioning, self-disorders and their relationship to psychotic symptoms on a continuum from mild attenuated experiences to manifest psychotic symptoms in psychotic disorders are highly relevant for psychopathology, course of illness and treatment planning in psychotic disorders, but empirical data is sparse.

This study aims at exploring personality functioning and self-disorders in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) and with first-episode psychosis (FEP), compared to a clinical control group of subjects with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and healthy controls (HC).

Personality functioning was measured in 107 participants (24 UHR, 29 FEP, and 27 BPD and 27 HC) using the Structured Interview for Personality Organization (STIPO) and the Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS), and self-disorders were assessed using the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE). A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on the seven STIPO dimensions.

Significant impairment in personality functioning was found in UHR (M = 4.29, SD = .908), FEP (M = 4.83, SD = 1.002), and BPD individuals (M=4.70, SD=.542) compared with HC (M = 1.63, SD = .565). FEP patients showed significantly worse overall personality functioning compared to UHR patients (p = .037). Patients with manifest psychosis (FEP) also exhibited significantly higher levels of self-disorders compared to BPD patients (p = .019). Self-disturbances in patients with milder forms of psychotic symptoms (UHR) were intermediate between the other diagnostic groups (FEP and BPD). Regardless of the main diagnoses, the three clusters of patients were found to differ in levels of personality functioning and self-disorder.

Impairment of personality functioning varies in different stages of psychotic disorders. The level of self-disorders may allow differentiation between manifest psychosis and borderline personality disorder. An in-depth assessment of personality functioning and self-disorders could be helpful in differentiating diagnoses, treatment planning, and establishing foci for psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.

M. Gruber: None Declared, J. Alexopoulos: None Declared, K. Feichtinger: None Declared, K. Parth: None Declared, A. Wininger: None Declared, N. Mossaheb: None Declared, F. Friedrich: None Declared, Z. Litvan: None Declared, B. Hinterbuchinger: None Declared, S. Doering: None Declared, V. Blüml Grant / Research support from: Grant / Research support from: Heigl-Foundation, Köhler-Foundation, International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA)