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

PMID: 26060400
Journal: Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment
Published: 2015
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Chronic schizophrenia outpatients in psychiatric day-care treatment.
- Sample size: 18
- Age: Mean 38.39 +/- 8.24 years, range 25-55.
- Sex: 8 male, 10 female.
- Fitness level: Not clearly stated; selected volunteers able to participate in HIIT.
- Health status: DSM-5 schizophrenia, chronic illness duration about 15 years.

## Methodology

- Prospective single-arm intervention study.
- 8 weeks
- Psychiatric day-care outpatient setting at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

## Protocol

- Bodyweight HIIT.
- Modality: Bodyweight exercises.
- Intensity: Peak HR during work period at least 95% estimated maximum HR.
- Session duration: 25 minutes total: 5 warm-up, 15 HIIT, 5 stretching.
- Frequency: 3 days/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Physical health
Status: mixed
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.

### Body circumference
Status: no clear change
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.

### Mental health
Status: improved
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.

### Positive symptoms
Status: no clear change
PANSS Positive Scale did not significantly improve.

Positive Scale 12.28 to 12.33, p=0.729.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26060400/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S81482) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4450659/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.