Aerobic activity offers many benefits, but study needs to be duplicated, researcher says.
(HealthDay)—Aerobic exercise might boost memory and thinking skills in people with schizophrenia, a small study finds.
The research included 33 schizophrenia patients who were randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments. One group was given standard psychiatric treatment (the control group). The other took part in a 12-week aerobic exercise program using active-play video games and standard exercise equipment. The patients in the exercise group also continued to receive standard psychiatric care.
By the end of the study period, aerobic fitness improved by 18 percent in the exercise group. It fell by 0.5 percent in the control group. Mental (cognitive) function improved by 15 percent in the exercise group. Mental functioning fell by 2 percent in the control group, according to the study.
The study was published online March 24 in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.
"Our results indicate that poor aerobic fitness represents a modifiable risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in people with schizophrenia for which aerobic exercise training offers a safe, non-stigmatizing and side-effect-free intervention," said lead author David Kimhy in a journal news release. He is an assistant professor in psychiatry and director of the Experimental Psychopathology Lab at the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City.
The researchers said a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor—which increases with physical activity—may be "a potential mechanism" for the exercise-related improvements in schizophrenia patients' mental function.
"If replicated, our findings may lead to the integration of aerobic exercise into standard psychiatric treatment for people with schizophrenia and other severe mental health problems, Kimhy said.
The study only found an association between exercise and mental function. Kimhy noted, however, that along with the well-documented benefits of exercise, such as better heart health and help with weight management, aerobic exercise appears to offer the potential to improve mental function in people with schizophrenia.
Explore further: Aerobic exercise reduces fatigue with radiotherapy for breast CA
More information: The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more about schizophrenia.
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Aerobic activity offers many benefits, but study needs to be duplicated, researcher says.
(HealthDay)—Aerobic exercise might boost memory and thinking skills in people with schizophrenia, a small study finds.
The research included 33 schizophrenia patients who were randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments. One group was given standard psychiatric treatment (the control group). The other took part in a 12-week aerobic exercise program using active-play video games and standard exercise equipment. The patients in the exercise group also continued to receive standard psychiatric care.
By the end of the study period, aerobic fitness improved by 18 percent in the exercise group. It fell by 0.5 percent in the control group. Mental (cognitive) function improved by 15 percent in the exercise group. Mental functioning fell by 2 percent in the control group, according to the study.
The study was published online March 24 in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.
"Our results indicate that poor aerobic fitness represents a modifiable risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in people with schizophrenia for which aerobic exercise training offers a safe, non-stigmatizing and side-effect-free intervention," said lead author David Kimhy in a journal news release. He is an assistant professor in psychiatry and director of the Experimental Psychopathology Lab at the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City.
The researchers said a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor—which increases with physical activity—may be "a potential mechanism" for the exercise-related improvements in schizophrenia patients' mental function.
"If replicated, our findings may lead to the integration of aerobic exercise into standard psychiatric treatment for people with schizophrenia and other severe mental health problems, Kimhy said.
The study only found an association between exercise and mental function. Kimhy noted, however, that along with the well-documented benefits of exercise, such as better heart health and help with weight management, aerobic exercise appears to offer the potential to improve mental function in people with schizophrenia.
Explore further: Aerobic exercise reduces fatigue with radiotherapy for breast CA
More information: The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more about schizophrenia.
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Medical Xpress on facebook
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Aerobic exercise reduces fatigue with radiotherapy for breast CA
(HealthDay)—An aerobic exercise program can reduce fatigue in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Resistance exercise offers more prolonged glycemic control
(HealthDay)—For patients with type 1 diabetes, resistance exercise is associated with a smaller initial decline in blood glucose compared with aerobic exercise, but offers a more prolonged reduction in ...
Aerobic exercise boosts brain power
The physical benefits of regular exercise and remaining physically active, especially as we age, are well documented. However, it appears that it is not only the body which benefits from exercise, but the mind too. The evidence ...
Aerobic exercise can increase mental fitness in older people
Aerobic physical exercises that aim to improve cardiovascular fitness also help boost how fast you can think, manual dexterity and how well you can concentrate on visual and auditory tasks, concludes a Cochrane Review.
Just 30 minutes of exercise has benefits for the brain
University of Adelaide neuroscientists have discovered that just one session of aerobic exercise is enough to spark positive changes in the brain that could lead to improved memory and coordination of motor ...
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Fertility patients' history is best predictor of risk for major depression
A potent risk factor for developing major depressive disorder (MDD) during fertility treatment is something health providers are likely not even looking for, according to new research from San Francisco State ...
Gender difference in moral judgments rooted in emotion, not reasoning, study finds
If a time machine was available, would it be right to kill Adolf Hitler when he was still a young Austrian artist to prevent World War II and save millions of lives? Should a police officer torture an alleged bomber to find ...
Bullied girls, but not boys, benefit from mom's support
Children who are bullied become tolerant of aggressive and antisocial behavior, such as cheating, lying or being cruel to others.
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It's supposed to help keep our bodies healthy in stressful situations.
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