Improving Cognition Via Exercise in Schizophrenia



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Schizophrenia
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 55
Updated:3/27/2019
Start Date:April 26, 2018
End Date:August 31, 2021
Contact:David Kimhy, PhD
Email:david.kimhy@mssm.edu
Phone:212-659-8843

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

People with schizophrenia display a broad range of cognitive impairments that have been
identified as major determinants of poor functioning and disability. The goal of the proposed
study is to examine the impact of exercise training on cognition, daily functioning, and
biomarkers of cognitive change in people with schizophrenia.

The goal of the proposed study is to examine the impact of exercise training on cognitive
functioning in people with schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia display a broad range of
cognitive impairments that have been identified as major determinants of poor functional
outcome and disability, thus representing an important public health concern and a target for
interventions. At present, available treatments offer only minimal to limited benefits to
ameliorate these deficits. Extensive animal and human research literatures converge in
supporting the positive influence of aerobic exercise training on cognitive functioning.
Preliminary data indicate that aerobic exercise training is effective in improving cognitive
functioning in people with schizophrenia. However, previous studies employed small samples,
focused on a single or limited range of cognitive domains, and/or collected insufficient
information on daily functioning or putative biomarkers underlying cognitive change.

Inclusion Criteria:

- A DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or schizophreniform disorder.

- Age 18-55 years.

- Taking antipsychotic medication for at least 8 weeks and on current doses for 4 weeks,
and/or injectable depot antipsychotics with no change in the last 3 months.

- Capacity to understand all the potential risks and benefits of the study.

- Medically cleared by a physician to take part in VO2max tests and aerobic exercise
training or stretching-and-toning exercise training.

Exclusion Criteria:

- A DSM-V diagnosis of alcohol/substance abuse (except nicotine) within the last month
or a diagnosis of alcohol/substance dependence (except nicotine) within the last 6
months

- Initiation of anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, or other medications known to impact
cognition in previous 4 weeks or any change in doses during this period.

- History of seizures/head trauma with loss of consciousness (>10 minutes) resulting in
cognitive sequelae.

- Significant clinical abnormalities in physical examination, lab assessments, or ECG.

- Neurological/medical conditions that could interfere with study participation (e.g.,
unstable cardiac disease, stuttering).

- Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 40.

- Untreated hyper- or hypothyroidism.

- Being pregnant or nursing.

- Serious homicidal/suicidal risk (past 6 months).

- "Moderate" or more severe conceptual disorganization (PANSS≥4).

- Poor English reading ability (WTAR<7).

- Participation in a study with cognitive assessment in the past 3 months.
We found this trial at
4
sites
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
(919) 962-2211
Principal Investigator: Fred Jarskog, MD
Phone: 919-445-0271
Univ of North Carolina Carolina’s vibrant people and programs attest to the University’s long-standing place...
?
mi
from
Chapel Hill, NC
Click here to add this to my saved trials
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Principal Investigator: Joseph McEvoy, MD
Phone: 706-721-4605
?
mi
from
Augusta, GA
Click here to add this to my saved trials
1428 Madison Ave
New York, New York 10029
(212) 241-6500
Principal Investigator: David Kimhy, PhD
Phone: 212-659-8749
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is...
?
mi
from
New York, NY
Click here to add this to my saved trials
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, California 94305
(650) 723-2300
Principal Investigator: Jacob Ballon, MD, MPH
Phone: 650-761-1475
Stanford University Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of...
?
mi
from
Stanford, CA
Click here to add this to my saved trials