title: Effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on psychotic symptoms and neurocognition in outpatients with schizophrenia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The focus in recent years on physical inactivity and metabolic disturbances in individuals with schizophrenia raises the question of potential effects of physical activity. Physical activity has shown beneficial effects on cognition in healthy older individuals as well as on symptom severity in depression. However, opinions diverge regarding whether aerobic high-intensity interval training reduces cognition and key symptoms in schizophrenia. The main objective for the trial is to investigate the potential effects of aerobic high-intensity interval training on neurocognitive function and mental symptoms in outpatients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The trial is designed as a randomized controlled, observer-blinded clinical trial. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms with 12-week duration: aerobic high-intensity interval training or computer gaming skills training. All participants also receive treatment as usual. Primary outcome measure is neurocognitive function. Secondary outcome measures will be positive and negative symptoms, wellbeing, tobacco-smoking patterns and physiological/metabolic parameters. Patient recruitment takes place in catchment area-based outpatient clinics.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02205684 . Registered 29 July 2014.
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. john.engh@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Engh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Humanities and Education, Department of Practical, Physical and Aesthetic Education, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Borre, Norway. Eivind.andersen@hbv.no.
authors.forename: Eivind
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. Tom.holmen@siv.no.
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Holmen
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. e.w.martinsen@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Egil W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Martinsen
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. Jon.mordal@siv.no.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mordal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. Gunnar.morken@ntnu.no.|Department of Psychiatry, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Gunnar.morken@ntnu.no.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morken
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. jens.egeland@siv.no.|Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. jens.egeland@siv.no.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Egeland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003071:Cognition; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009664:Norway; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult