Physical activity and anomalous bodily experiences in patients with first-episode schizophrenia

Lene Nyboe*, Marianne K. Moeller, Claus H. Vestergaard, Hans Lund, Poul Videbech

*Corresponding author for this work
7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Low physical activity is strongly correlated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and poor physical health. Although the prevalence of MetS is high in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES), little is still known about the level of and possible barriers for physical activity in FES. 

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare physical activity in patients with FES with healthy controls; to investigate changes in physical activity over 1 year of follow-up; and to explore the correlations of physical activity and anomalous bodily experiences reported by patients with FES. 

Methods: Both physical activity and aerobic fitness were measured. Anomalous bodily experiences were measured by selected items from the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience and The Body Awareness Scale. Psychopathological data comprising negative and positive symptoms and data on psychotropic medication were obtained from medical records of all patients. 

Results: Physical activity and aerobic fitness was significantly lower in patients with FES compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Over 1 year of follow-up patients had lower physical activity and aerobic fitness. Patients with more severe anomalous bodily experiences had significantly lower physical activity compared with patients with fewer such experiences (p = 0.030). In linear regression analyses only negative symptoms were significantly correlated with low physical activity (β = –0.88; 95% confidence interval = –1.48 to –0.29; p < 0.001). 

Conclusion: Physical activity and aerobic fitness is low in patients with FES. Both anomalous bodily experiences and negative symptoms are significantly correlated with low physical activity.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNordic Journal of Psychiatry
Volume70
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)514-520
Number of pages7
ISSN0803-9488
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2016

Keywords

  • aerobic fitness
  • anomalous bodily experience
  • First-episode schizophrenia
  • physical activity

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physical activity and anomalous bodily experiences in patients with first-episode schizophrenia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this