Neurophysiological Evaluation of Schizophrenia Patients After Cognitive and Physical Intervention

24 sessions (8 weeks, 3 times per week) of cognitive and physical training via computer. Each session consisted of 45 minutes of cognitive traing (BrainHQ platform https://www.brainhq.com/) and 45 minutes of physical training (FitForAll platform https://www.fitforall.gr/play/app/). Cognitive training included memory, attention, velocity, intelligence etc. Physical training included aerobic, strength flexibility and other excercises. All evaluations were performed 1-14 before the initiation of the interventions and 1-14 after their completion. Neurophysiological evaluation consisted of EEG with the use of 128 electrode-machine and the protocol included 5 minuted of eyes closed and 5 minutes of eyes open. Neuropsychological evaluation included Trail Making Test (A & B), Verbal Fluency, Stroop test, Wechsler Memory - Cubes (visuospatial), MoCA, FAB (Screening for frontal damage) and Eyes Test (Theory of Mind). Also, the physical condition evaluation included 6-Minute Walking Distance (6MWD), ΒΜΙ, HandGrip Strength Test, Short Physical Performance Battery Protocol.

Inclusion criteria

• a diagnosis of schizophrenia disorder according to ICD10 criteria
• clinically stable patients (no recent change in psychotropic medication except benzodiazepines)
• sufficient acculturation and fluency in Greek language
• assent of the attending physician for participation in the study

Exclusion criteria

• co-morbidity with neurological disorders (e.g.epilepsy) or head injury
• a pathological or other somatic disorder that contraindicate physical exercise
• alcoholism and substance abuse within the previous 3 months (except caffeine and tobacco)
• abstainance from intervention for more than 12 days
• cognitive decline
• treated with Benzodiazepine