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Exercise therapy improves mental and physical health in schizophrenia: a randomised controlled trial
Author(s) -
Scheewe T. W.,
Backx F. J. G.,
Takken T.,
Jörg F.,
Strater A. C. P.,
Kroes A. G.,
Kahn R. S.,
Cahn W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/acps.12029
Subject(s) - medicine , physical therapy , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , scale for the assessment of negative symptoms , randomized controlled trial , positive and negative syndrome scale , depression (economics) , body mass index , physical fitness , cardiovascular fitness , rating scale , psychiatry , brief psychiatric rating scale , psychosis , psychology , macroeconomics , economics , developmental psychology
Objective The objective of this multicenter randomised clinical trial was to examine the effect of exercise versus occupational therapy on mental and physical health in schizophrenia patients. Method Sixty‐three patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 2 h of structured exercise ( n = 31) or occupational therapy ( n = 32) weekly for 6 months. Symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and cardiovascular fitness levels ( W peak and VO 2peak ), as assessed with a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures were the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Camberwell Assessment of Needs, body mass index, body fat percentage, and metabolic syndrome (Met S ). Results Intention‐to‐treat analyses showed exercise therapy had a trend‐level effect on depressive symptoms ( P = 0.07) and a significant effect on cardiovascular fitness, measured by W peak ( P < 0.01), compared with occupational therapy. Per protocol analyses showed that exercise therapy reduced symptoms of schizophrenia ( P = 0.001), depression ( P = 0.012), need of care ( P = 0.050), and increased cardiovascular fitness ( P < 0.001) compared with occupational therapy. No effect for Met S (factors) was found except a trend reduction in triglycerides ( P = 0.08). Conclusion Exercise therapy, when performed once to twice a week, improved mental health and cardiovascular fitness and reduced need of care in patients with schizophrenia.