The Functional Exercise Capacity Is Associated With Global Functioning in People With Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to determine whether the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score is associated with the functional exercise capacity among in- and outpatients with bipolar disorder. Sixty-five (36♀) persons with bipolar disorder performed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and were assessed with the GAF, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self Report (QIDS), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The mean GAF-score was 55.0 ± 15.0, whereas the mean distance achieved on the 6MWT was 615.6 ± 118.6 m. There was a positive association between the GAF score and 6MWT score (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). A backward regression analysis demonstrated that an inpatient status, illness duration (16.1 ± 10.7 years), and the QIDS score (7.7 ± 5.7) explained 72.4% of the GAF-score variance. The GAF, QIDS score, and age explained 74.1% of the 6MWT-score variance. Our results indicate that a bidirectional relationship is evident between the exercise capacity and global functioning among people with bipolar disorder.