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Table 3 Systematic review – exercise interventions (Results/Comments)

From: Exercise therapy in adults with serious mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Study

Results

Comments/Analysis

Beebe et al. [41]

6-Minute Walking Distance (MWD) – improvement in distance clinically (152.5 mins) compared with the control group (56.7 mins), but not statistically significant. BMI and body fat reduced in intervention group compared with the control group but not statistically significant. Control Group – increased 6- MWD during intervention (5%).

Valuable study, limited by small sample, population type. Control group showed some increase in physical activity (? overlap effect of intervention).

Skrinar et al. [45]

Weight change intervention: control -2.2 v. -1.2 kg (non-significant). Exercise intensity increased in intervention compared with the control + 8 Watts v. -5 Watts (non-significant). Significant improvement in results in general health (p < 0.05) and empowerment (p < 0.01).

Valuable study although some limitations in methodology.

Acil et al. [47]

Exercise programme resulted in decrease in psychiatric symptoms and increase in quality of life. Reduced SANS, SAPS and BSI. Increase in WHOQOL-BREF-TR. No exercise measures change of heart rate. Demographic data not provided.

Valuable intervention study, however limited by small sample size, and lack of standardization of intervention. No details of drop-out rate or measurement of exercise levels in subjects.

Marzolini et al. [46]

Mean age 43 years. Exercise group showed a 27.7 metre (SD ± 22.3 m) increase in 6MWD while control group showed decrease of 28.3 metres (SD ± 26.6 m) (between group difference, p = 0.1). There was significant increase in strength exercise and Mental Health Inventory. Attendance averaged 72% (SD ± 4.4%) with no dropouts.

Valuable study but limited by small sample size. Good adherence to programme.

Beebe et al. [43]

Percentage attendance in WALC-S group 35.2 versus 27.3% after 16 week programme. 33.7 versus 22.9 in TAC group. Greater persistence in weeks in WALC-S versus TAC, and higher minutes walked (76.67 versus 116.89) in WALC-S group, and (61.88 versus 788.83) in TAC group.

Well-designed study indicating the benefit of exercise advice with a motivational programme in addition to exercise intervention.

Methapatara et al. [44]

End of programme, mean body weight decreased significantly compared with the control group by 2.21 kg (p = 0.03).

Valuable study showing the benefit of an exercise programme in overweight or obese patients with schizophrenia.

Scheewe et al. [42]

Patients had higher resting HR, lower pear HR, peak systolic BP, relative VO2 peak, Wpeak, RER, minute ventilation, and HR recovery than controls. In conclusion patients had lower CRF levels compared with controls. Exercise therapy increased VO2 peak, and Wpeak in patients and controls. VO2 peak, and Wpeak decreased in non-exercising patients.

Well-designed study. Results show an increase in CRF in individuals with schizophrenia. However individuals may be more motivated and have greater baseline fitness than many individuals with this illness.

Trend-level effect on depressive symptoms (p = 0.07). No effect on symptoms of schizophrenia.

Significantly smaller baseline cerebral (gray) matter, and larger third ventricle volume, thinner cortex. NO change global brain, hippocampal volume, or cortical thickness.

Pelham et al. [48]

Aerobic exercise group showed significant increases in fitness and a reduction in depression scores. Non-aerobic groups did not improve in fitness level or level of depression.

Small study of 10 patients. Conducted 21 years ago. Findings showed the possible positive effects of exercise on levels of fitness and mental health in people with serious mental illness.