PMID 26060400

Research
All papers

Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on the mental and physical health of people with chronic schizophrenia

Wu MH, Lee CP, Hsu SC, Chang CM, Chen CY

Question

Can an 8-week low-volume bodyweight HIIT program improve physical and mental health outcomes in people with chronic schizophrenia?

Summary

This prospective uncontrolled study offered 8 weeks of group bodyweight HIIT to chronic schizophrenia outpatients in a psychiatric day-care unit. Eighteen patients completed the program. Body weight, BMI, resting heart rate, and pulse pressure improved, and scores for negative symptoms, depression, and anxiety decreased. The study is useful for feasibility and protocol detail, but it had no control group, small sample size, and clear selection bias toward motivated patients able to reach high heart-rate targets.

Methodology

  • Chronic schizophrenia outpatients in psychiatric day-care treatment.
  • 18 participants.
  • Bodyweight exercises.
  • Intensity: Peak HR during work period at least 95% estimated maximum HR.
  • 25 minutes total: 5 warm-up, 15 HIIT, 5 stretching.
  • 3 days/week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Prospective single-arm intervention study.
  • Body weight, BMI, waist/hip measures, Blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, resting HR, Schizophrenia symptoms, and Depression and anxiety were tracked.

Outcomes

Physical health

Body weight, BMI, resting HR, and pulse pressure decreased; diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure increased.

Body weight p=0.022, BMI p=0.022, resting HR p=0.023, pulse pressure p=0.010; diastolic BP p=0.004, MAP p=0.015.

Mixed

Body circumference

Waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio did not significantly change.

WC p=0.303, HC p=0.243, waist-to-hip ratio p=0.309.

No clear change

Mental health

Negative symptoms, general psychopathology, depression, and anxiety scores improved.

PANSS total p<0.001, Negative Scale p<0.001, General Psychopathology p=0.001, BDI p<0.001, BAI p=0.003.

Improved

Positive symptoms

PANSS Positive Scale did not significantly improve.

Positive Scale 12.28 to 12.33, p=0.729.

No clear change

Insights

  • A 25-minute no-equipment HIIT class may be feasible in structured mental-health care for selected participants.
  • Motivation and intensity attainment are major feasibility filters for psychiatric populations.
  • This paper should not be used alone to make causal claims because it lacks a control group.

Limitations

  • No control group.
  • Not randomized.
  • Small sample size.
  • Selection bias toward motivated and physically suitable volunteers.
  • No ability to determine optimal duration, frequency, or intensity.
  • Exact bodyweight interval structure not extracted.

Safety

  • No explicit adverse-event tally was extracted.
  • Two participants were withdrawn because HR did not reach the required HIIT goal.
  • The authors note HIIT can have physical risks and possible negative psychological effects, and requires self-discipline/self-regulation.