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

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 140; no. 6; pp. 498 - 507
• Main Authors: Brobakken, M. F., Nygård, M., Güzey, I. C., Morken, G., Reitan, S. K., Heggelund, J., Wang, E., Vedul‐Kjelsaas, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Aerobic capacity; Aerobics; Blood pressure; Body mass index; Cardiovascular diseases; exercise training implementation; Health risk assessment; high aerobic intensity; Interval training; Lipids; Mental disorders; psychosis; Risk factors; Schizophrenia; SMI; exercise training implementation; high aerobic intensity; SMI; psychosis
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.13105

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˙O2peak was 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˙O2peak was higher (2.7 ± 4.8 ml/kg/min, P < 0.01) in the TG compared with the CG. The TG improved V˙O2peak by 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/m2, 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, improved V˙O2peak, and may be integrated in standard care. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02743143).