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Effects of aerobic walking on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.

Journal of psychiatric research
February 1, 2021
Yu-Chi Huang et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the effects of aerobic walking (AW) and exercise intensity on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.

Results Summary

The study found no significant overall cognitive improvement from AW but noted marginally significant benefits in verbal fluency and a significant group effect on attention and processing speed. Supervised moderate-intensity AW may offer potential cognitive benefits for schizophrenia patients.

Population

79 patients with schizophrenia (67 completed the trial).

Effective Dosage

30-minute sessions, five times per week.

Duration

12 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
treatment-as-usual plus aerobic walking
no change
cognitive function changes
patients with schizophrenia
-
no significant time × group interaction effect
#1
treatment-as-usual plus aerobic walking
increase
verbal fluency
patients with schizophrenia
p = 0.09
marginally significant group effect
#2
high vs low aerobic walking intensity
increase
verbal fluency
patients with schizophrenia
p = 0.05
marginally significant interaction effect of time and treatment group
#3
high vs low aerobic walking intensity
increase
attention and processing speed
patients with schizophrenia
p = 0.04
significant group effect
#4
supervised 12-week aerobic walking of moderate intensity
increase
cognitive function
patients with schizophrenia
-
may have potential cognitive benefits
#5
Abstract

Cognitive deficits, which are core manifestations in schizophrenia and exhibit a limited response to antipsychotic treatment, contribute to poor treatment outcomes and functional disability. Evidence on the effect of aerobic walking (AW) and exercise intensity on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia is lacking. In total, 79 patients with schizophrenia were recruited for a 12-week randomized control trial and allocated to the treatment-as-usual (TAU, n = 38) and treatment-as-usual plus AW (TAW, n = 39) groups. The TAW participants joined a supervised 12-week AW program consisting of 30-min sessions five times per week while wearing a Fitbit Charge 2 device. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. After randomization, 67 (34 TAU and 33 TAW) participants joined the 12-week trial and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Multivariate general linear model repeated measures analysis revealed no significant time × group interaction effect on cognitive function changes between the TAU and TAW groups and a marginally significant group effect on verbal fluency (p = 0.09). The interaction effect of time and treatment group on verbal fluency (p = 0.05) was marginally significant between the high and low AW intensity groups, whereas a significant group effect on attention and processing speed (p = 0.04) was observed. Supervised 12-week AW of moderate intensity may have potential cognitive benefits for patients with schizophrenia.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CognitionCognition DisordersCognitive DysfunctionExercise TherapyHumansSchizophreniaWalking
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations13
Citations/Year3.3
Relative Citation Ratio1.57
NIH Percentile66.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.42
Normalized Score0.61
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