1. Introduction
Schizophrenia, schizophrenia, cardiovascular disease, pain
DISEASE, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DISORDERS, SECONDARY
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two different types of physical intervention on sedentary behavior and clinical changes in people with schizophrenia. Method: This is a clinical trial including people with schizophrenia in regular outpatient care who realized a 3-month exercise protocol and were separated into two groups: aerobic physical intervention (API) and postural physical intervention (PPI). All participants performed an assessment of (a) functional capacity through a 6 min walk test (6MWT), (b) flexibility using Well’s bench, (c) disease severity using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), (d) quality of life using the SF-36 Questionnaire and (e) physical activity using the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ). Results: Thirty-eight patients with schizophrenia completed the intervention (24 patients in API and 14 patients in PPI). Regarding sedentary behavior, there was an improvement in the API group in the time exercising and in the PPI group concerning time in bed, time walking and exercising. Regarding quality of life, there was an improvement in the API group (functional capacity) and in the PPI group, there was an improvement in physical limitation, pain and emotional limitations. In the API group, there was an improvement in BMI (body mass index), diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. Functional capacity was improved only in the PPI group. There was no change in flexibility and disease severity. Conclusions: The study demonstrated a change response in the physical and mental aspects in people with schizophrenia after a change in sedentary behavior.Schizophrenia is among the most disabling and economically catastrophic medical disorders, ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 illnesses contributing to the global burden of disease [There is growing interest in the assessment and improvement of global functioning in these patients, with the expansion of physical interventions together with traditional clinical and pharmacological care to increase life expectancy and quality of life. Increased sedentary lifestyles and reduced physical activity are extremely frequent in schizophrenia, which are independent but modifiable risk factors for a decrease in cardiovascular disease and premature mortality in these people [Functional capacity is connected and related to the degree of physical activity within this population [Regular exercise has positive effects on both the body and mind [The primary aims of the present study were the following: to evaluate the effects of the two techniques—aerobic and postural interventions—over sedentary behavior. The secondary aims were to compare the physical (body mass index, blood pressure, flexibility, functional capacity) and mental (quality of life and disease symptomatology) effects of different interventions in people with schizophrenia.