The Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurocognition in Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

A randomized clinical trial was utilized to compare the improvement of depression and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between community women with and without music aerobic exercise (MAE) for 12 weeks. The MAE group involved 47 eligible participants, whereas the comparison group had 59 participants. No significant differences were recorded in the demographic characteristics between the participants in the MAE group and the comparison group. Forty-one participants in the MAE group and 26 in the comparison group completed a pre- and posttest. The MAE group displayed significant improvement in depression scores (p= 0.016), decreased depression symptoms in crying (p= 0.03), appetite (p= 0.006), and fatigue (p= 0.011). The BDNF levels of the participants significantly increased after the 12-week MAE (p= 0.042). The parallel comparison group revealed no significant changes in depression scores or BDNF levels. In summary, the 12-week MAE had a significant impact on the enhancement of BDNF levels and improvement of depression symptoms. Middle-aged community women are encouraged to exercise moderately to improve their depression symptoms and BDNF levels.

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Suicide Reduction in Schizophrenia via Exercise (SUnRISE): Study Protocol for A Multi-Site, Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Aerobic Exercise for Suicide Risk Reduction in Individuals With Schizophrenia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-28957/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katie Beck-Felts ◽

Marianne Goodman ◽

Luz Ospina ◽

Melanie Wall ◽

Joseph Mc Evoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Psychotherapeutic Treatment ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

The Impact ◽

Single Blind

Abstract Background: Suicide risk among individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) is intractably high, with over 40% of individuals attempting to take their own lives during their lifetime and an estimated 5-10% completing suicide. At present, available pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments offer limited risk reduction benefits, thus there remain an urgent need to explore novel interventions that will ameliorate this risk. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been shown to improve a number of predictors of suicide risk (e.g., depressed mood, sleeping difficulties). As individuals with SZ display a highly sedentary lifestyle, AE may reduce suicide risk. Methods: Employing a multi-site, single-blind, randomized clinical trial design, we will examine the impact of AE on risk for suicide and related variables in individuals with SZ. Participants will be randomized to one of two 12-week exercise interventions: AE or a stretching and toning (ST) control intervention. Primary outcome measures will include suicide risk (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, C-SSRS) and aerobic fitness (VO2max), along with additional measures of suicide risk, mood, emotion regulation, sleep, cognition, and physical activity, with assessments completed at baseline and after 6- and 12-weeks of interventions.Discussion: It is hypothesized that AE will reduce suicide risk among individuals with SZ. This study may offer support for a more efficacious treatment method for this population in addition to the pre-existing pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment regimens. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03270098. Registered September 1, 2017.

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Suicide Reduction in Schizophrenia via Exercise (SUnRISE): study protocol for a multi-site, single-blind, randomized clinical trial of aerobic exercise for suicide risk reduction in individuals with schizophrenia

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-020-04788-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katie Beck-Felts ◽

Marianne Goodman ◽

Luz H. Ospina ◽

Melanie Wall ◽

Joseph McEvoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Psychotherapeutic Treatment ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

The Impact ◽

Single Blind

Abstract Background Suicide risk among individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) is intractably high, with over 40% of individuals attempting to take their own lives during their lifetime and an estimated 5–10% completing suicide. At present, available pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments offer limited risk reduction benefits, and thus, there remains an urgent need to explore novel interventions that will ameliorate this risk. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been shown to improve a number of predictors of suicide risk (e.g., depressed mood, sleeping difficulties). As individuals with SZ display a highly sedentary lifestyle, AE may reduce suicide risk. Methods Employing a multi-site, single-blind, randomized clinical trial design, we will examine the impact of AE on risk for suicide and related variables in individuals with SZ. Participants will be randomized to one of two 12-week exercise interventions: AE or a stretching and toning (ST) control intervention. Primary outcome measures will include suicide risk (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, C-SSRS) and aerobic fitness (VO2max), along with additional measures of suicide risk, mood, emotion regulation, sleep, cognition, and physical activity, with assessments completed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of interventions. Discussion It is hypothesized that AE will reduce suicide risk among individuals with SZ. This study may offer support for a more efficacious treatment method for this population in addition to the pre-existing pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment regimens. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03270098. Registered on September 1, 2017.

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Promoting Neuroplasticity for Motor Rehabilitation After Stroke: Considering the Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Genetic Variation on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20130053 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 93 (12) ◽

pp. 1707-1716 ◽

Cited By ~ 128

Author(s):

Cameron S. Mang ◽

Kristin L. Campbell ◽

Colin J.D. Ross ◽

Lara A. Boyd

Keyword(s):

Motor Learning ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Motor Function ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Motor Rehabilitation ◽

Bdnf Gene ◽

The Impact ◽

Rehabilitation Strategies

Recovery of motor function after stroke involves relearning motor skills and is mediated by neuroplasticity. Recent research has focused on developing rehabilitation strategies that facilitate such neuroplasticity to maximize functional outcome poststroke. Although many molecular signaling pathways are involved, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a key facilitator of neuroplasticity involved in motor learning and rehabilitation after stroke. Thus, rehabilitation strategies that optimize BDNF effects on neuroplasticity may be especially effective for improving motor function poststroke. Two potential poststroke rehabilitation strategies that consider the importance of BDNF are the use of aerobic exercise to enhance brain function and the incorporation of genetic information to individualize therapy. Converging evidence demonstrates that aerobic exercise increases BDNF production and consequently enhances learning and memory processes. Nevertheless, a common genetic variant reduces activity-dependent secretion of the BDNF protein. Thus, BDNF gene variation may affect response to motor rehabilitation training and potentially modulate the effects of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity. This perspective article discusses evidence that aerobic exercise promotes neuroplasticity by increasing BDNF production and considers how aerobic exercise may facilitate the acquisition and retention of motor skills for poststroke rehabilitation. Next, the impact of the BDNF gene val66met polymorphism on motor learning and response to rehabilitation is explored. It is concluded that the effects of aerobic exercise on BDNF and motor learning may be better exploited if aerobic exercise is paired more closely in time with motor training. Additionally, information about BDNF genotype could provide insight into the type and magnitude of effects that aerobic exercise may have across individuals and potentially help guide an individualized prescription of aerobic exercise to enhance motor rehabilitation poststroke.

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