Enhancement of aerobic fitness improves social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with schizophrenia display substantial deficits in social functioning (SF), characterized by chronic, lifelong presentations. Yet, at present there are few effective interventions to enhance SF in this population. Emerging evidence from studies of clinical populations that display similar SF deficits suggests that aerobic exercise (AE) may improve social skills. However, this putative impact has not been investigated in schizophrenia. Employing a single-blind, randomized clinical trial design, 33 individuals with schizophrenia were randomized to receive 12 weeks of Treatment-As-Usual (TAU; n = 17) or TAU + AE (n = 16) utilizing active-play video games (Xbox 360 Kinect) and traditional AE equipment. Participants completed an evaluation of aerobic fitness (VO₂max) as w

SUBMITTER: Kimhy D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7778707 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature