Effect of an adapted physical activity program on stress, anxiety, depression in patients with schizophrenia: study protocol of a randomized-controlled trial

Physical activity (PA) is recommended to optimize well-functioning in people with schizophrenia. PA has been found to improve quality of life, general symptomatology, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, global and social functioning. In PA research, most of the interventions are based on one-on-one interventions but there is poor information about group-based PA interventions. Using a randomized controlled, clinician-blinded trial, subjects are randomized into two arms: the PA group or control group. Our first objective is about to evaluate the effects of a multimodal 6 week collective PA intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in people with schizophrenia. Our second objective is about to evaluate these effects on secondary outcomes especially smoking, well-being, physical fitness and on care utilization. All participants are evaluated before and after the 6 week intervention period, and only participants in the PA group are called in a follow-up interview 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Trial registration Individual Protection Committee of Ile-de-France II, n ID RCB: 2018- A00583-52. Registered on 8 April 2018.