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Effectiveness of Exercise Alone and tDCS+Exercise on Cognitive Function Improvement in Patients With Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
Sponsor: Kit Wa Chan
Summary
Cognitive impairment is a major determinant of disability in schizophrenia. Aerobic exercise improves global cognition in schizophrenia, particularly working memory and attention/vigilance. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting frontal regions has shown promise for cognitive deficits, including working memory improvements in some studies. This randomized 2×2 factorial trial will test the independent and combined effects of supervised aerobic exercise and prefrontal tDCS on cognition in treatment resistant schizophrenia, measured using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB).
Official title: Randomised Control Trial of Effectiveness of Exercise Alone and tDCS+Exercise on Cognitive Function Improvement in Patients With Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 60 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
160
Start Date
2026-02-23
Completion Date
2028-01-30
Last Updated
2026-02-11
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Aerobic Exercise
* Dose: 18 sessions over 6 weeks (3/week) * Session duration: 45-60 minutes including warm up/cool down * Intensity: Moderate (target 60-75% HRR or RPE 12-15) * Mode: Aerobic dance * Delivery: Supervised by qualified staff; HR/RPE logged each session * Rationale: Exercise improves global cognition and domains such as working memory and attention/vigilance in schizophrenia; supervision/dose relate to effect size.
Stretching/Education Control
* Dose: 18 sessions over 6 weeks (3/week) * Session duration: 45-60 minutes * Intensity: Low (HR \<40% HRR; RPE \<10) * Components: Stretching + standardized health education modules * Purpose: Attention matched control to reduce contact/expectancy bias in non pharmacological trials.
Active tDCS
* Montage: Anode F3 (left DLPFC), cathode Fp2 (right supraorbital) * Intensity: 2.0 mA * Duration: 20 minutes (30 s ramp up/down) * Schedule: 18 sessions (one per visit) * Rationale: Frontal tDCS protocols have shown promise for cognitive deficits and working memory in schizophrenia
Sham tDCS
• Same montage; ramp up then off (device standard sham) to mimic cutaneous sensations.
Locations (1)
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong