51 EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE RECOVERY OF PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
Authors: Chen Xianrui , Chen* Kunlan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder, and its patients are often accompanied by cognitive impairment, emotional symptoms and social dysfunction, which poses a serious obstacle to rehabilitation. In recent years, physical activity, as a non-drug intervention, is believed to promote the improvement of mental health and social function. By increasing physical activity, patients may improve neuroplasticity, alleviate core symptoms, and improve overall functional level.

Methods
Methods: Sixty patients who met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) were randomly divided into a physical activity group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The physical activity group received a 12-week intervention, including 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as jogging and yoga, 5 times a week, and conventional drug treatment. The control group only received conventional drug treatment. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess the cognitive function of the patients before and after the intervention, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the emotional symptoms, and the Social Dysfunction Screening Scale (SDSS) was used to assess the social function. Paired t-test and independent sample t-test were used to analyze the differences in data within and between groups.

Results
After the intervention, the physical activity group’s scores in cognitive function, emotional symptoms and social function were significantly improved. Among them, the MoCA score increased from an average of 21.4 ± 3.2 points before intervention to 26.7 ± 2.8 points after intervention (P &lt; 0.01), while the control group only improved from an average of 21.6 points before intervention to 23.1 points (P &gt; 0.05). In the PANSS score, the total score of the physical activity group dropped from an average of 85.2 points to 65.4 points (P &lt; 0.01), and that of the control group dropped from an average of 84.9 points to 75.6 points (P &lt; 0.05). Specific to the positive and negative symptom dimensions, the positive symptom score of the physical activity group decreased from 23.5 points to 15.3 points, and the negative symptom score decreased from 27.1 points to 18.4 points (P &lt; 0.01), while the control group decreased to 19.8 points and 23.5 points respectively. points (P &gt; 0.05). In terms of improvement in social function, the SDSS score showed that the physical activity group decreased from 18.7 points to 10.5 points (P &lt; 0.01), and the control group only decreased from 18.5 points to 14.2 points (P &gt; 0.05).

Discussion
Systematic physical activity has a significant promoting effect on the recovery of patients with schizophrenia. The intervention group improved better than the control group in terms of cognitive function, emotional symptoms and social functions, especially in alleviating negative symptoms and improving social functions. This is related to the fact that physical activity enhances brain neuroplasticity and improves patients’ physical health. Combined with existing research, physical activity provides an effective assisted rehabilitation method for patients with schizophrenia and has important clinical application value.

Funding
No. 240800457210740; No. 2024RW195; No. 2021B293.