Factors Affecting Walking Speed in Schizophrenia Patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder impacting various functional domains.
• Impaired motor function, including walking speed, is a common but often overlooked symptom in schizophrenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing walking speed in hospitalized schizophrenia patients.
• To understand the relationship between physical function and gait in this population.

Main Methods:

• 37 hospitalized schizophrenia patients were assessed.
• Evaluated factors included muscle strength, balance (e.g., one-leg standing, Timed Up & Go Test), flexibility, and walking speed.
• Antipsychotic medication intake was also recorded.

Main Results:

• Walking speed showed correlations with the 30-s chair stand test, one-leg standing times, and the Timed Up & Go Test.
• Stepwise multiple regression identified the Timed Up & Go Test as the sole significant predictor of walking speed.

Conclusions:

• Walking speed in schizophrenia is influenced by balance and lower-limb muscle strength, similar to the general population.
• Dynamic balance, as assessed by the Timed Up & Go Test, is a critical determinant of walking speed in schizophrenia patients.