2021-04-23 11:08:56
In their systematic review and meta-analysis, Korman et al. (2020) reviewed intervention studies on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for people with severe mental illness (SMI). People with SMI have low cardiorespiratory function (CRF), high cardiometabolic risk and in turn premature mortality. Exercise has been shown to be an adequate intervention that can increase CRF in people with SMI, therefore, the authors searched and assessed the literature for physical and psychiatric outcomes within the SMI population. The results show that both HIIT, but also moderate intensity continuous training (MCT) are feasible options for those participants with minimal safety concerns. Another finding suggests that people with SMI show improvements in CRF with MCT and HIIT (with a positive relationship potentially being conferred with extended program duration), although there appeared to be minimal metabolic impact (confounding factors includes diet and side effects of medications). Furthermore, a significant antidepressant effect followed HIIT, which had a modest advantage over MCT interventions especially in being most promising for reducing negative psychiatric symptoms. The authors suggest that future study designs consider incorporating motivational strategies, personal preference, and capability to improve adherence and promote sustainability.
[collapse collapsed title=Reference] Korman N, Armour M, Chapman J, Rosenbaum S, Kisely S, Suetani S, Firth J, Siskind D. High Intensity Interval training (HIIT) for people with severe mental illness: A systematic review & meta-analysis of intervention studies- considering diverse approaches for mental and physical recovery. Psychiatry Res. 2020 Feb;284:112601. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112601.