Exercise as a therapy for rehabilitation in Schizophrenic patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into an exercise programme as a therapy for rehabilitation in patients with schizophrenia: A mixed method design.
IRAS ID
148505
Contact name
Victoria Archbold
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Metropolitan university
Research summary
The main aim of the research is to investigate the impact physical activity has on the psychological symptoms of schizophrenia and the physiology of long term hospitalised patients.
The study will be based on the following aims: 1). to investigate the relationship between aerobic exercise and the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia 2). To explore the relationship between exercise and physiological symptoms of psychiatric patients.
Physical activity has been found to improve both mental and physiology states in the general population. People diagnosed with schizophrenia tend to live an inactive lifestyle and are commonly overweight due to a sedentary lifestyle. However to the knowledge of the researcher, limited studies have investigated physical activity in alleviating the psychological and physiological symptoms associated with schizophrenia in a West Yorkshire hospital.
Recruitment will take place at Seacroft Hospital.Participants will be aged between 18 - 70 years. Participants will be an all male sample who suffer from chronic schizophrenia. A control group will also be recruited.
A 45-60 minute,semi-structured interviews will be conducted at the beginning of the exercise programme to determine their attitudes towards and perceptions of exercise, as well as gain information regarding their exercise history. It will consist of a Positive and Negative symptom scale questionnaire to assess the level of psychosis prior to the exercise programme. At the end of the exercise programme session, participants will be interviewed again using the positive and negative symptom scale, in order to compare the scores pre and post exercise programme.
BMI measurements, blood pressure and body fat percentages will be measured by a member of staff on the ward at the start and the end of the exercise programme session to investigate the physiological effects of exercise. Both, Pre and post measures will be conducted by the same, trained, member of staff.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0113
Date of REC Opinion
9 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion