Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Cognitive Remediation and Combined Intervention in Schizophrenia

Walking Our Way to a Healthier Brain: a Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Cognitive Remediation and Combined Intervention in Schizophrenia

Tracking down the efficacy of a combined intervention of cognitive remediation (CR) and phisycal activity (aerobic exercise, AE) in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia

The investigators will address the following objectives:

• Primary objective: o assess, through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the efficacy and feasibility of a combined intervention (CR + AE) in patients with schizophrenia. The primary outcome measure will be cognitive performance, while secondary outcomes will include scales for the assessment of psychopathology, daily functioning, and quality of life.
• Secondary objectives: to evaluate changes in bio-physical and laboratory metabolic parameters, as well as in neurotrophic and neuroinflammatory factors. Furthermore, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters will be evaluated after the interventions, and their relationship with observed cognitive improvements will be explored.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia
2. Age 18-65 years
3. Psychopathological stability
4. Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Comorbidity with intellectual disability and neurological disorders.
2. Ongoing treatment with CR or AE.
3. Specific contraindications for AE.