Abstract
Purpose
To find suggestions for a future definitive randomized control trial and examine the effects of physical exercise on neurocognition in schizophrenia.
Design and Methods
Patients hospitalized with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 5) or control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group performed an exercise regimen for 8 weeks. Following intervention, demographics, psychiatric symptoms, and neurocognitive functions were examined.
Findings
The patients in the control and exercise groups, 14 and 4, respectively, showed significant differences in hospitalization duration and negative symptoms. After controlling both, neurocognition improved in the exercise group compared with the control group.
Practice Implications
Mild-intensity physical exercise improves global neurocognition in schizophrenic inpatients and could lead to earlier release.