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).
DSM 5 schizophrenia-spectrum disorders
Treatment resistant schizophrenia: inadequate response to ≥2 antipsychotics of adequate dose/duration
Clinically stable ≥4 weeks
Able to provide informed consent
Neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy, stroke) or significant head injury
Implanted electronic devices / contraindications to tDCS; scalp lesions at electrode sites
Medical contraindications to moderate aerobic exercise
Substance dependence within 3 months (except nicotine)
Kit Wa Chan
Lead sponsor
The University of Hong Kong
Sponsor institution