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Physical performance is more strongly associated with cognition in schizophrenia than psychiatric symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Jiheon Kim
Affiliation:
aMind-neuromodulation Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 77 Sakju-ro, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24253, Republic of Korea
Ji-Hyeon Shin
Affiliation:
bDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 271 Cheonbo-ro, Uijeongbu, Gyungki-Do, 11765, Republic of Korea
Jeh-Kwang Ryu
Affiliation:
cInstitute for Cognitive Science, College of Humanities, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
Jae Hoon Jung
Affiliation:
aMind-neuromodulation Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 77 Sakju-ro, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24253, Republic of Korea
Chan-Hyung Kim
Affiliation:
dDepartment of Psychiatry, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
Hwa-Bock Lee
Affiliation:
eGwangmyeong Mental Health Welfare Center, 613 Ori-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyungki-do, 14303, Republic of Korea
Do Hoon Kim
Affiliation:
aMind-neuromodulation Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 77 Sakju-ro, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24253, Republic of Korea
Sang-Kyu Lee
Affiliation:
aMind-neuromodulation Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 77 Sakju-ro, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24253, Republic of Korea
Daeyoung Roh*
Affiliation:
aMind-neuromodulation Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 77 Sakju-ro, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24253, Republic of Korea
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail address: omydoc@naver.com

Abstract

Background.

Although neurocognitive dysfunction and physical performance are known to be impaired in patients with schizophrenia, evidence regarding the relationship between these two domains remains insufficient. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between various physical performance domains and cognitive domains in individuals with schizophrenia, while considering other disorder-related clinical symptoms.

Methods.

Sixty patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness and functional mobility were evaluated using the step test and supine-to-standing (STS) test, respectively. Executive function and working memory were assessed using the Stroop task and Sternberg working memory (SWM) task, respectively. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Multivariate analyses were performed to adjust for relevant covariates and identify predictive factors associated with neurocognition.

Results.

Multiple regression analysis revealed that the step test index was most strongly associated with reaction time in the Stroop task (β = 0.434, p = 0.001) and SWM task (β = 0.331, p = 0.026), while STS test time was most strongly associated with accuracy on the Stoop task (β=−0.418, p = 0.001) and SWM task (β=−0.383, p = 0.007). Total cholesterol levels were positively associated with Stroop task accuracy (β=−0.307, p = 0.018) after controlling for other clinical correlates. However, clinical symptoms were not associated with any variables in Stroop or SWM task.

Conclusions.

The present findings demonstrate the relationship between physical performance and neurocognition in patients with schizophrenia. Considering that these factors are modifiable, exercise intervention may help to improve cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, thereby leading to improvements in function and prognosis.

Information

Type
Original article
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 European Psychiatric Association
Figure 0

Table 1 Demographic information, clinical symptoms, physical performance, and cognitive function of participants (N = 60).

Figure 1

Table 2 Association between neurocognitive function and demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and physical performance.

Figure 2

Table 3 Multivariable linear regression analysis.

Supplementary material: File

Kim et al. Supplementary Material

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