Motivational Intervention for Physical Activity in Psychosis

Motivational Intervention of Exercise in Patients With Psychosis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether motivational intervention is effective in promoting exercise habit in patients with psychosis.

The current study aims to investigate the beneficial effect of motivational intervention in promoting exercise habit in patients with psychosis. Outpatients will be recruited and will be randomized to a 12-week motivational intervention program. They will be assessed for their clinical symptoms, cognitive function, physical fitness, and quality of life. All patients will have cognitive function assessments at baseline, 12 weeks after the completion of the program and 6 months. The primary hypothesis of the current study is that motivational intervention can help patient to develop exercise habit in patients with early psychosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed to have psychotic disorders
• Cantonese-speaking Chinese (to enable cognitive testing)
• Ability to understand the nature of the study and to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe physical illness (Myocardial Infarction, Hypertension, Fracture, Spinal problems in which exercise may be contraindicated), and seizure disorders
• Comorbid substance dependence
• Unstable psychotic symptoms
• Known pregnancy
• A history of brain trauma or organic brain disease
• Known history of intellectual disability or special school attendance