Exercise as an adjunct treatment for schizophrenia: A review of the literature

Abstract

Previous reviews of the exercise and mental health literature have predominantly examined non-clinical populations and clinical populations with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. There is growing, albeit limited, evidence that exercise can also be an effective adjunctive treatment for other clinical disorders such as alcohol abuse, somatoform disorders and psychosis. This review examines the literature that has investigated the use of exercise as an adjunct treatment for schizophrenia. While methodological concerns are evident in the literature, attention is drawn to the difficulties of assessing traditional exercise interventions with such a population and the need for greater acceptance of methodological diversity. The existing research indicates that exercise is a useful adjunct for some of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia in addition to depression and anxiety. Additionally, the use of exercise as a coping strategy for positive symptoms, such as auditory hallucinations, has been suggested. Mechanisms underpinning such benefits, the exercise 'dosage' and issues of adherence are discussed.