Aerobic interval training in standard treatment of out‐patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effects of integrating aerobic interval training ( AIT ) in standard care of out‐patients with schizophrenia on aerobic capacity and conventional cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors. Methods Out‐patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder were randomized to the following: 1) a training group ( TG ), performing AIT 2 day/week at the clinic with adherence support from municipal services; or 2) a control group ( CG ), given two AIT sessions and encouraged to exercise on their own. Feasibility was assessed through retention/adherence.V ˙ O 2 peakwas measured directly along with conventional CVD risk factors before and after 12 weeks. Results Of 48 out‐patients, 16/25 and 18/23 completed the TG and CG respectively. After 12 weeks,V ˙ O 2 peakwas higher (2.7 ± 4.8 ml/kg/min, P  < 0.01) in the TG compared with the CG . The TG improvedV ˙ O 2 peakby 3.1 ± 3.7 ml/kg/min ( P  < 0.01), while no change in the CG was observed. No intergroup difference in weight, body mass index ( BMI ), waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, or glucose at posttest was observed. Weight (1.9 ± 4.0 kg, P  < 0.05) and BMI (0.5 ± 1.1 kg/m 2 , P  < 0.05) increased in the CG , with no change in the TG . Conclusion AIT , combined with adherence support, of out‐patients with schizophrenia was feasible, improvedV ˙ O 2 peak, and may be integrated in standard care. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT 02743143).