Actively Recruiting
Exercise Therapy in Mental Disorders-study Comparing Standard and Brief High-Intensity Training in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Led by Haukeland University Hospital · Updated on 2025-12-30
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to compare two types of high-intensity training (HIT) programs in people with schizophrenia-spectrum or bipolar disorders, which are severe mental health conditions. These patients often face ongoing symptoms, cognitive challenges, and a higher risk of heart disease leading to a shorter life expectancy. The study seeks to find out which HIT approach better supports long-term health and symptom management. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two exercise programs lasting 26 weeks. One group will do a standard HIT involving four 4-minute sessions of walking or running on a treadmill at high intensity, with warm-up and cool-down periods, twice weekly. The other group will do a shorter HIT with a single 4-minute high-intensity session, also twice a week. Both programs are supervised by physical therapists and delivered mainly in groups to encourage participation. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments at multiple time points up to 52 weeks, including mental and cognitive symptom evaluations, quality of life, motivation, physical activity levels, heart rate, oxygen uptake, body measurements, and blood tests for inflammation and metabolic markers. The main focus is on adherence to the exercise programs over 26 weeks. Researchers will also monitor safety and collect blood samples for further biological analysis throughout the trial.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Exercise Therapy in Mental Disorders-study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder according to ICD-10 (F2)
- Diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to ICD-10 (F3)
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Age 16 years or older
You will not qualify if you...
- Any medical condition that contraindicates exercise training or testing as per American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
- Life-threatening or terminal medical conditions
- Inability to carry out intervention or testing procedures
- Current pregnancy
- Mothers less than 6 months post-partum
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 26 weeks
Participants undergo 26 weeks of exercise therapy, randomized to either standard or short high-intensity training sessions on a treadmill, conducted twice weekly under supervision.
Twice weekly sessions for 26 weeks
Duration - Up to 26 weeks after treatment ends
Participants are assessed for changes in mental and physical health outcomes up to 52 weeks from baseline.
Assessments at 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks from baseline
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Haukeland University Hospital
Bergen, Norway, 5020
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Erik Johnsen, PhD
R
Rune A Kroken, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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