Current studies show that regular exercise has a positive influence on the course of schizophrenic psychoses. A research project at the university is looking at how schizophrenia patients can integrate more Sport and Movement Science into their lives and thus actively contribute to their health.
The project - a co-operation with the Karl Jaspers Clinic - is based at the Institute of Sport Science. Dr Christian Figge, Head Physician for General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Karl Jaspers Clinic, is the medical director, while Oldenburg sports scientists Sirka Ginsel and Dr Mirko Brandes are responsible for the sports management.
In the 18-month study, schizophrenia patients at the Karl Jaspers Clinic are given the opportunity to take part in training sessions under sports science supervision in addition to their psychiatric treatment. The centrepiece of this is "indoor cycling", which takes place twice a week at the clinic. On modern spinning bikes, patients are motivated to get active through endurance training accompanied by music. Indoor cycling is complemented by a weekly sports programme that uses different types of sport and exercise to encourage patients to enjoy sport.
After their inpatient stay, patients can continue training on an outpatient basis at the University's Institute of Sport Science. The intervention measures are then gradually reduced. "At the end of the programme, participants should be able to exercise independently and regularly. To ensure this, we also offer theoretical content in addition to the sports programme," explains Brandes.
Throughout the study, the scientists regularly monitor how the course of the psychosis, physiological parameters and the physical activity of the patients develop. "Recently, there have been several studies investigating the effects of sport on patients with schizophrenic psychoses - but there have been hardly any follow-up studies to verify the results," says Ginsel. "We are filling this gap and hope to be able to prove that exercise significantly improves the course of the illness. If this proves to be the case, we will incorporate the contents of the study into standard therapy," explains Figge. The final results of the study are expected at the end of 2015.
