The Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia.
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Schizophrenia |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 55 |
| Updated: | 5/5/2014 |
| Start Date: | April 2012 |
| End Date: | March 2014 |
| Contact: | David Kimhy, Ph.D. |
| Email: | kimhyda@nyspi.columbia.edu |
The aim of this study is to look at the effects of Aerobic Exercise (AE) on daily and
neurocognitive functioning including memory, attention, the ability to plan activities, and
learn new information. Participants will be assigned by chance to receive regular care or
exercise sessions in addition to regular care. This study will allow determining the
potential positive influence of AE on cognitive and daily functioning in individuals with
schizophrenia.
neurocognitive functioning including memory, attention, the ability to plan activities, and
learn new information. Participants will be assigned by chance to receive regular care or
exercise sessions in addition to regular care. This study will allow determining the
potential positive influence of AE on cognitive and daily functioning in individuals with
schizophrenia.
Individuals with schizophrenia often display cognitive difficulties. Studies among
non-clinical populations suggest that Aerobic Exercise (AE) training is effective in
increasing both aerobic fitness and cognitive functioning. However, these associations have
not been studied among individuals with schizophrenia, despite the presence of highly
sedentary lifestyle in this population To elucidate this putative link, the present study
will evaluate the influence of AE on cognitive functioning and daily functioning in
individuals with schizophrenia using a single-blind, randomized clinical trial. Outpatient
individuals with schizophrenia receiving treatment will be randomly assigned to AE training
or Treatment As Usual (TAU). Participants in the AE training will undergo a 12-week, 3 times
per week, 1-hour AE sessions. All participants will continue their regular psychiatric and
medical care. Assessments of neurocognitive and daily functioning abilities, along with
symptom severity, and physiological and behavioral measures of aerobic fitness will be
completed before and after the 12-week program.
non-clinical populations suggest that Aerobic Exercise (AE) training is effective in
increasing both aerobic fitness and cognitive functioning. However, these associations have
not been studied among individuals with schizophrenia, despite the presence of highly
sedentary lifestyle in this population To elucidate this putative link, the present study
will evaluate the influence of AE on cognitive functioning and daily functioning in
individuals with schizophrenia using a single-blind, randomized clinical trial. Outpatient
individuals with schizophrenia receiving treatment will be randomly assigned to AE training
or Treatment As Usual (TAU). Participants in the AE training will undergo a 12-week, 3 times
per week, 1-hour AE sessions. All participants will continue their regular psychiatric and
medical care. Assessments of neurocognitive and daily functioning abilities, along with
symptom severity, and physiological and behavioral measures of aerobic fitness will be
completed before and after the 12-week program.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Males and females between ages 18-55.
- Have capacity to give informed consent.
- English speaking.
- Have a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia.
- Taking antipsychotic medication for at least 8 weeks and on current doses for 4
weeks, and/or injectable depot antipsychotics with no change in last 3 months.
- Medically cleared to exercise.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Lacks capacity to give informed consent.
- Have used street drugs within the past 4 weeks.
- Have history of of hypertension of cardiac conditions.
- Have history of active suicidal ideation or serious self-destructive behavior.
- Have history of violence or aggressive behavior.
- Have history of neurological or medical conditions known to seriously affect the
brain.
- Pregnant or nursing.
- Completing more than 2 hours of moderate or higher levels of aerobic exercise per
week.
- Participation in a study of cognition during the previous 2 months.
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