Reliability, minimal detectable changes, practice effects and correlates of the six-minute walk test in patients with schizophrenia

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Relationship between obesity, functional exercise capacity, physical activity participation and physical self-perception in people with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: This study compared differences in functional exercise capacity between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Physical self-perception and physical activity variables contributing to the variability in the distance achieved during a walk test were identified. METHOD: A total of 25 normal weight, 25 overweight and 10 obese patients and 40 healthy volunteers were included. Functional exercise capacity was explored with a 6-minute walk test. Level of physical activity was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire and physical self-perception using the physical self-perception profile. RESULTS: Obese patients walked a significantly shorter distance than overweight and normal weight patients (450.6 ± 97.7, 580.2 ± 116.0 and 615.8 ± 92.4 m resp., P < 0.001). All patients walked a shorter distance than healthy controls (710.6 ± 108.4 m, P < 0.001). Dyspnoea was only prevalent in schizophrenia (28.3%, P < 0.001) and especially in obese patients (90% vs. 40% in overweight and 27.3% in normal weight patients, P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, 59% of the variance in walking distance was explained by body mass index, perceived sports competence and condition, physical self-worth, level of sports participation and smoking behaviour. CONCLUSION: Functional exercise capacity in patients with schizophrenia is reduced not only by obesity, perceived discomfort and pain but also by a sedentary, unhealthy life style and a reduced physical self-perception.status: publishe

The association of metabolic syndrome with physical activity performance in patients with schizophrenia

AIM: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) limits physical activity (PA) in patients with schizophrenia. A secondary aim was to investigate cross-sectional associations of leisure-time PA, sports participation and PA performance with MetS parameters. METHODS: Patients with schizophrenia who had MetS (n=37) were compared with those without MetS (n=69). Patients were assessed for PA performance using a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and PA participation using the Baecke PA questionnaire, as well as for antipsychotic medication dose (expressed in chlorpromazine equivalents), negative symptoms and smoking behaviour. RESULTS: The two patient groups were similar in age, gender, mean antipsychotic medication dose, negative symptomatology and smoking behaviour. Distance achieved on the 6MWT was 13.7% shorter (P<0.001) in patients with versus patients without MetS (527.6±108.9 m vs 610.0±93.7 m, respectively). Patients with MetS were also significantly less involved in sports activities (P=0.001) and less physically active during leisure time (P=0.002). Also, the distance of the 6MWT was moderately correlated with body mass index (r=-0.44, P<0.001), waist circumference (r=-0.43, P<0.001), sports participation (r=0.60, P<0.001) and leisure-time PA (r=0.42, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: MetS is associated with poorer PA performance in patients with schizophrenia. The additional burden of MetS places patients with schizophrenia at even greater risk for physical and functional limitations in daily life.status: publishe

Eurofit test battery in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: reliability and clinical correlates

To investigate the reproducibility of the Eurofit physical fitness test battery in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Secondary aims were to assess clinical and demographic characteristics that correlate with the performance on the Eurofit and evaluation of the feasibility of the test.status: publishe

De therapeutische waarde van bewegen voor mensen met schizofrenie

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De test – hertest betrouwbaarheid van de 6-minutenwandeltest bij personen met schizofrenie

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De functionele wandelcapaciteit bij mensen met een eetbuistoornis. Een verkennend onderzoek naar mogelijke indicaties voor psychomotorische therapie

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State anxiety, psychological distress and positive well-being responses to yoga and aerobic exercise in people with schizophrenia

PURPOSE: Worsening of schizophrenia symptoms is related to stress and anxiety. People with schizophrenia often experience difficulties in coping with stress and possess a limited repertoire of coping strategies. A randomised comparative trial was undertaken in patients with schizophrenia to evaluate changes in state anxiety, psychological stress and subjective well-being after single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise compared with a control condition. METHOD: Forty participants performed a single 30-min yoga session, 20-min of aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometre at self-selected intensity and a 20-min no exercise control condition in random order. RESULTS: After single sessions of yoga and aerobic exercise individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder showed significantly decreased state anxiety (p < 0.0001), decreased psychological stress (p < 0.0001) and increased subjective well-being (p < 0.0001) compared to a no exercise control condition. Effect sizes ranged from 0.82 for psychological stress after aerobic exercise to 1.01 for state anxiety after yoga. The magnitude of the changes did not differ significantly between yoga and aerobic exercise. CONCLUSION: People with schizophrenia and physiotherapists can choose either yoga or aerobic exercise in reducing acute stress and anxiety taking into account the personal preference of each individual.status: publishe

Considering a frame of reference for physical activity research related to the cardiometabolic risk profile in schizophrenia

This article reviews evidence that researchers and mental health service providers need to take into account four modifiable factors that affect the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in people with schizophrenia: (a) physical activity as part of a health-related lifestyle, (b) physical fitness, (c) mental health status and (d) antipsychotic medication. The implementation of physical activity in order to prevent and treat cardiometabolic risk factors in people with schizophrenia is discussed. English language articles published until July 2009 were identified by PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The search terms schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome, physical activity, health, fitness, and lifestyle were used. Physical activity interventions result in positive effects on metabolic outcomes, physical fitness, health-related behavior and mental health. Considering present knowledge, physical therapists should take into account the emotional (negative symptoms, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and stress) and physiological (cardiometabolic parameters) components of mental illness when offering physical activity interventions. The physical activity stimulus should be adapted to the individual's physical fitness level and the side effects of the antipsychotic medications. More research is needed to assist in the practical development of effective evidence-based preventive and curative strategies in psychiatric services for metabolic syndrome in persons with schizophrenia.status: publishe

Effecten van een eenmalige sessie progressieve spierrelaxatie op het welbevinden en de toestandsangst bij mensen met schizofrenie: een verkennend onderzoek

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