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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06226779

Baduanjin Versus Brisk Walking for Cognition in Schizophrenia

The current study intends to recruit participants with schizophrenia for the practice of Baduanjin, brisk walking, and health education after enrollment. The study also including a maintenance program. Cognitive and physical function assessments will be conducted before, after, and during follow-up tests. The research hypothesis posits that both Baduanjin and brisk walking will confer beneficial effects on various aspects of cognitive and physical functions.

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Key information

Conditions

Schizophrenia Behavior Condition Disease Exercise Mental Disorders Motor Activity Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Age range

20 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center

Kaohsiung City, 833, Taiwan

About this study

Cognitive function deficits are core features in patients with schizophrenia. These deficits need active intervention to prevent functional decline. Baduanjin and brisk walking show promise as interventions in patients with schizophrenia. This study investigated the effects of Baduanjin exercise versus brisk walking in patients with schizophrenia.

This study will be a single-blind, 3-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial.

A total of 72 patients with schizophrenia will be enrolled and randomly assigned to the Baduanjin group, brisk walking group or control group. The intervention group will practice Badunjin exercise. While participants in brisk walking group will receive brisk walking at the same duration. The controls will watch videos that are not aimed at improving physical exertion. Maintenance programs will also be conducted for participants to encourage practicing in exercise after intervention. All group will undergo evaluation at three time points: baseline, immediately after intervention and 4-week follow up after intervention. The primary outcome will be cognitive function and physical function. Secondary outcomes will include mood, sleep quality, and quality of live.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Having a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the DSM-5.
  • Who will be above 20-65 years of age .
  • Having a stable mental status without shift in medication and keep in same dose for at least one month.
  • Being able to walk independently for 50 meters.

Exclusion criteria

  • Serious physical conditions that will impede participation, such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease or pulmonary system disease.
  • Visual or auditory impairment that precludes completion of assessment.
  • Acute psychosis requiring hospitalization.
  • Presence of severe withdrawal or profound cognitive disability that cause difficulties in following instructions.

Treatment and study plan

Baduanjin exercsie

Behavioral

The Baduanjin exercise consists of 8 postures, with emphasis on different body parts. The exercise is commonly practiced as follows: (1) 2 hands holding up the heavens, (2) drawing the bow to shoot the eagle, (3) separating the heaven and earth, (4) wise owl gazing backwards, (5) swaying the head and shaking the tail, (6) 2 hands holding the feet to strengthen the waist, (7) clenching the fists and glaring fiercely, and (8) bouncing on the toes.

Other names: Mindful baduanjin

Brisk walking

Behavioral

The brisk walking will be gradually increased physical exertion from light to moderate of intensity. During the training period, the heart rate of participants will be monitored.

Other names: aerobic walking

Health Education

Behavioral

Health education will include lecture classes. Video watching will watch videos which were not aim at improving physical exertion, such as sports games or sports related variety shows

Other names: video watching

Primary outcomes

  1. Change score of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    BACS is a battery of cognition tests that measure verbal memory, working memory, motor speed, verbal fluency, attention and processing speed, and executive function.The BACS is comprised of seven subtests: (1) the List Learning Test, (2) Digit Sequencing Test, (3) Token Motor Test, (4) Category Instance Test, (5) Controlled Oral Word Association Test, (6) Symbol Coding, and (7) Tower of London Test.

  2. Change scores of 6-minute walk test

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    This test evaluates cardiovascular fitness and walking speed.

  3. Change scores of 30-second chair stand test

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    This test evaluates muscular endurance of lower-extremities.

  4. Change scores of Timed up-and-go test

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    This test evaluates functional mobility, agility and balance

  5. Change scores of dual task Timed up-and-go test (manual)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    This test requires carry a cup of water 3 cm from the top of the cup while performing the Timed up-and-go test. It evaluates dual task performance.

  6. Change scores of dual task Timed up-and-go test (cognitive)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    This test combine serial three counting and Timed up-and-go test simultaneously. It evaluates dual task performance.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change score of Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    DASS-21 is a self-report questionnaire that measure symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

  2. Change score of Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate after treatment, 4-week follow up

    PSQI is a self-report assessment which contains 19 items to measure sleep quality

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Mindful Exercise Baduanjin Versus Brisk Walking for Cognitive Function in Patients With Schizophrenia

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 26, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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