Aerobic exercise and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the combined effect of individual and group aerobic exercises (AEs) on cognition in schizophrenia. Among 32 randomized patients, 31 were included in the intent-to-treat population: 16 in treatment as usual (TAU) + AE and 15 in TAU groups. Over 12 weeks, patients were given a dose of 2 exercise sessions per week, including 1 individual session and 1 group session. TAU + AE patients showed significant improvements in cognition, intrinsic motivation, psychiatric symptoms, and interpersonal relations. These encouraging findings support the promise of integrated individual and group AEs to improve cognition and other outcomes in schizophrenia.