The effect of physical activity on motor characteristics and cognitive functions schizophrenia patients

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of physical activity on motor characteristics and cognitive functions in addition to pharmacological treatment in combating schizophrenia and to present physical activity recommendations for future studies. The study group consisted of 12 stable schizophrenic patients who met the criteria for schizophrenia between the ages of 18-65 in the Psychiatric Hospital of Antalya Akdeniz University Mental Health and Diseases Department. Seven patients were included in the educational games and drama (EOD) group. Five patients were included in the aerobic activity and force (AAK) group. The study consisted of 16 weeks, three days a week, one-hour sessions. motor characteristics; The Mann Whitney U test was compared with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. For cognitive functions, Panss scores and Stroop test performances were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test. According to the pre and post-test findings measuring motor characteristics of EOD and AAK group; A statistically significant difference was found in favor of the EOD group in the long jump pre-test. In the EOD group; balance, touch the discs, shuttle, long jump, bounce, back force, leg strength, sprint, 6 minutes running / walking test results were statistically significant difference in the positive direction. However, although there was a positive development in flexibility and hand grip strength test results, no statistically significant difference was found. In the AAK group; In the test results, there was a statistically significant difference in hand grip strength, long jumping, jumping, back force, leg force, sprint, 6 minute running / walking test results. However, although there was a positive improvement in flexibility, balance, shuttle test results, no statistically significant difference was found. At the psychopathology levels measured by Panss scores, groups did not indicate a significant difference when evaluated alone and together. When EOD group and AAK group Stroop test performance scores were evaluated together, a significant improvement was observed in the final tests (card 1 and card 3). This improvement is eliminated when the groups are examined one by one. The results suggest that physical activity may play an important role in the development of non-pharmacological treatment for chronic schizophrenia patients. Key Words : Aerobic activity, cognitive functions, drama, educational games, motor trait, physical activity, schizophrenia.