Effects of aerobic walking on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.