Cardiometabolic effects of physical activity interventions for people with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objectives: To identify and evaluate the recent evidence of physical activity (PA) with or without diet counselling on cardiometabolic parameters in people who have schizophrenia.Methods: Keyword searches were used to identify articles since 2003 up to August 2009 from PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PEDro, DARE, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses and PsycINFO. There were no limitations in terms of study design and sample size. Data were extracted from each included study using key items that included participants, study design, intervention modalities, and outcome measures.Results: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Physical activity with or without diet counselling results in modest weight loss, reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and decreases in fasting plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin. Identifying an optimal dose or intervention strategy for PA is not yet possible. Compliance to PA seems to be an important predictor of the PA response.Discussion: There is evidence that PA with or without diet counselling is feasible and effective in reducing weight and improving obesity-related cardiometabolic risk profile in people with schizophrenia. More research focussing on the effectiveness of different PA interventions in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome in people with schizophrenia is highly needed.