Actively Recruiting
Improving Cognition Through Telehealth Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training After a First Schizophrenia Episode
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2025-01-02
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
262 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The participants in the study will receive psychiatric treatment at the UCLA Aftercare Research Program. All participants in this 12-month RCT will receive cognitive training. Half of the patients will also be randomly assigned to the aerobic exercise and strength training condition, and the other half will be randomly assigned to the Healthy Living Group condition. The primary outcome measures are improvement in cognition and level of engagement in the in-group and at-home exercise sessions. Increases in the level of the patient's serum brain-derived neurotropic factor (specifically Mature BDNF) which causes greater brain neuroplasticity and is indicator of engagement in aerobic exercise, will be measured early in the treatment phase in order to confirm engagement of this target. In order to demonstrate the feasibility and portability of this intervention outside of academic research programs, the interventions will be provided via videoconferencing. The proposed study will incorporate additional methods to maximize participation in the exercise condition, including the use of the Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform to enhance motivation for treatment based on Self-Determination Theory principles, and a "bridging" group to help the participants generalize gains to everyday functioning. In addition, the exercise group participants will receive personally tailored text reminders to exercise.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Improving Cognition Through Telehealth Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training After a First Schizophrenia Episode
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Experienced a first episode of psychotic illness within the past three years
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder by DSM-5
- Between 18 and 45 years old
- Fluent enough in English to complete research measures accurately
- Likely to live within commuting distance of the UCLA Aftercare Research Program
You will not qualify if you...
- Premorbid IQ below 70
- Known neurological disorders such as epilepsy or significant head injury
- Moderate or severe substance use disorder within six months before first episode
- Substance-induced psychosis
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCLA Aftercare Research Program
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095-6968
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Rebecca Zornitsky, MSc
CONTACT
J
Joseph Ventura, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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