Effects of Mind-Body Exercises on Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Complementary Medicine
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Mind-body exercises (MBEs) are increasingly explored as complementary therapies for schizophrenia, aiming to improve patient outcomes.
• Existing research on MBEs for schizophrenia yields inconsistent results, necessitating a comprehensive analysis.
• Schizophrenia management often involves addressing positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and comorbid depression, areas where MBEs may offer benefits.

Approach:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of MBEs in schizophrenia.
• Data were synthesized from 13 studies involving 1,159 patients, identified through a comprehensive search of seven electronic databases.
• Risk of bias was assessed using Review Manager 5.3 to ensure the quality of included studies.

Key Points:

• Meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in positive symptoms (SMD=0.31, p=0.04), negative symptoms (SMD=0.37, p=0.002), and depression (SMD=0.88, p<0.00001) with MBE interventions.
• Meta-regression indicated a positive association between intervention frequency and improvement in positive symptoms (p=0.04).
• A trend suggested a correlation between session duration and improvement in negative symptoms (p=0.06).

Conclusions:

• This meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the therapeutic role of MBEs in managing schizophrenia symptoms.
• Optimal type and dosage of MBEs for schizophrenia require further investigation through rigorous, large-scale studies.
• Findings can inform clinical practice by guiding recommendations for MBEs in schizophrenia management.