Effect of strength-based physical exercise on telomere length as a marker of premature ageing in patients with schizophrenia: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

  1. Sánchez-González, Juan Luis 1
  2. Juárez-Vela, Raúl 2
  3. Dutil Muñoz de la Torre, Virginia 3
  4. Andrés-Olivera, María del Pilar 3
  5. Martín-Vallejo, Javier 1
  6. Morán-Bayón, Álvaro 1
  7. Gonçalves-Cerejeira, Joana Isabel 4
  8. Gestoso-Uzal, Nerea 5
  9. González-Sarmiento, Rogelio 1
  10. Pérez, Jesús 1
  1. 1 Universidad de Salamanca
    info
    Universidad de Salamanca

    Salamanca, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02f40zc51

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad de Salamanca
  2. 2 Universidad de La Rioja
    info
    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad de La Rioja
  3. 3 Hospital Universitario de Salamanca
    info
    Hospital Universitario de Salamanca

    Salamanca, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0131vfw26

    Geographic location of the organization Hospital Universitario de Salamanca
  4. 4 Complejo Asistencial de Ávila
    info
    Complejo Asistencial de Ávila

    Avila, España

    Geographic location of the organization Complejo Asistencial de Ávila
  5. 5 Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca
    info
    Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca

    Salamanca, España

    ROR https://ror.org/03em6xj44

    Geographic location of the organization Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca
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Journal:
BJPsych Open

ISSN: 2056-4724

Year of publication: 2024

Volume: 10

Issue: 5

Type: Article

DOI: 10.1192/BJO.2024.753 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor HANDLE: https://hdl.handle.net/10366/164546

More publications in: BJPsych Open

GREDOS. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Salamanca: lock_openOpen access Handle

Abstract

Background: Patients with schizophrenia die decades earlier than the general population. Among the factors involved in this mortality gap, evidence suggests a telomere length shortening in this clinical population, which is associated with premature ageing. Recent studies support the use of strength-based training exercise programmes to maintain, or even elongate, telomere length in healthy elderly populations. However, studies aiming at modifying telomere length in severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are still very scarce.Aims: To investigate the effect of a strength-based physical exercise programme on the telomere length of individuals with schizophrenia.Method: We propose a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial including 40 patients aged ≥18 years, with a stable diagnosis of schizophrenia, attending the Complejo de Rehabilitación Psicosocial (CRPS, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre) in Salamanca, Spain. These patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either receive the usual treatment and rehabilitation programmes offered by CRPS (treatment-as-usual group) or these plus twice weekly sessions of an evidence-based, strength-based training exercise programme for 12 weeks (intervention group). The primary outcome will be effect on telomere length. Secondary outcomes will include impact on cognitive function, frailty and quality of life.Results: We expect to show the importance of implementing strength-based physical exercise programmes for patients with schizophrenia. We could find that such programmes induce biological and genetic changes that may lengthen life expectancy and decrease physical fragility.Conclusions: We anticipate that our trial findings could contribute to parity of esteem for mental health, reducing premature ageing in patients with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

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