Year: 2017
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background: Systematic cognitive training has led to significant gains in cognition in schizophrenia, but methods of enhancing learning during such training could greatly increase its impact. Aerobic exercise stimulates synaptic plasticity and may be an effective way to enhance learning during cognitive training. We hypothesize that combining aerobic exercise with systematic cognitive training will lead to larger cognitive gains and better work/school functioning than cognitive training alone. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 42 first-episode schizophrenia patients were assigned to a 6-month intervention of either Cognitive Training & Exercise (CT&E) or Cognitive Training (CT). Both groups received neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive training (Posit Science BrainHQ and SocialVille) at the clinic, 2 days/week, 2 hours/day. The CT&E group also participated in aerobic conditioning for 150 minutes/week, using total body circuit training exercises. Exercise sessions were divided into two at the clinic and two at home. Participants were assessed with repeated measures of cognition (MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery; MCCB) and work/school functioning (Global Functioning Scale: Role). Results: By 3 months, the MCCB Overall Composite score improved significantly more with CT&E than with CT alone (F = 6.42, P < .02; 6.5 vs. 2.2 T-score gain). Reasoning and Problem Solving and Working Memory showed the largest differential gains. Global Functioning Scale: Role ratings showed that work/school functioning increased significantly more with CT&E than with CT alone by 6 months (F = 8.37, P < .001; 1.8 vs. 0.4 gain). The magnitude of cognitive gain was significantly related to the degree of work/school functioning improvement (r = .39, P < .02), with Attention/Vigilance and Reasoning and Problem Solving gains being the strongest contributors. Conclusion: The results of this randomized clinical trial indicate that the addition of aerobic exercise training to systematic cognitive training can significantly boost the impact of cognitive training cognitive functioning and work/school functioning after a first episode of schizophrenia. The amount of cognitive gain is significantly related to the improvements in work/school functioning, suggesting that the cognitive gains are contributing to functional outcome.
Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin
Authors: Keith Nuechterlein, Sarah McEwen
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2597735842