Targeting Physical Health in Schizophrenia: Physical Activity Can Enhance Life Randomized Control Trial ((PACE-life)
Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Brief Psychotic Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Schizophrenia focused on measuring Walking, Exercise, Physical Health
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- DSM-V diagnosis of a SSD (Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Brief Psychotic Disorder, Schizophreniform Disorder, and Unspecified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder)
- Between the ages of 18-65, both genders, and any ancestry
- Reading level > 4th grade. Reading level will be measured by WRAT.
- No hospitalizations for psychiatric reasons in the last 3 months
- Clinically stable (no psychiatric medication changes within the past month)
- Are not already engaging in consistent moderate-intensity exercise (cutoff = 60 min/week for the past 6 months)
- Present with no contra-indication to engage in regular moderate intensity exercise based on the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
- Willing and able to provide informed consent or has legal guardian present to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant women will be excluded because pregnancy alters autonomic and immune responsiveness, increase weight gain, and can influence heart rate
Sites / Locations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- North Carolina Psychiatric Research Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Walking Group
Fitbit Alone
Participants will be walking two times a week in supervised virtual walking groups on a secure online platform (Zoom) and will also participate in independent walks done at a location of their own choosing outside group participation.
Participants will be provided with a Fitbit wristband and instructed how to use it. Participants will also be given information on current recommended physical activity guidelines and told that study staff may be contacting them on a weekly basis if it looks like participants are not wearing their Fitbit for a certain number of days or to troubleshoot any issues.