Virtual Group-based Walking Intervention for Persons with Schizophrenia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Exercise Science
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a risk factor for mortality.
• Motivational challenges hinder exercise adherence in this population.
• Virtual Physical Activity Can Enhance Life (Virtual PACE-Life) was developed to address these barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the Virtual PACE-Life intervention on CRF and psychological outcomes in persons with schizophrenia.
• To compare Virtual PACE-Life with a Fitbit Alone condition.

Main Methods:

• A 16-week pilot randomized controlled trial with 37 participants with schizophrenia.
• Intervention components included live video group walks, Fitbit tracking, home-based sessions, goal setting, and if-then plans.
• Outcomes assessed: competence, autonomy, relatedness satisfaction, autonomous motivation, steps/day, walking minutes, and CRF (6-minute walk test).

Main Results:

• Intent-to-treat analysis showed improved competence and autonomy satisfaction in the Virtual PACE-Life group.
• No significant differences were found in relatedness satisfaction, autonomous motivation, steps/day, walking minutes, or CRF between groups.
• Completer analyses indicated improvements in steps/day and autonomous motivation favoring Virtual PACE-Life.

Conclusions:

• The Virtual PACE-Life intervention shows promise for enhancing psychological well-being related to exercise in individuals with schizophrenia.
• Further research is required to optimize virtual exercise programs for improving CRF in this population.