Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention for Increasing Physical Activity in Adults With Schizophrenia

The PRIME program is a lifestyle intervention focused on increasing physical activity. The intervention is cognitive/behaviorally based, 24-weeks in length, and a lifestyle PA intervention known to be effective in the general population of adults. The program has been modified based on theory and empirical findings about this special subgroup. All participants will attend 90-minute sessions weekly for the first 16 weeks, then biweekly for the remaining 8 weeks. PRIME sessions will focus on learning about PA, setting PA-related goals, and assessing short- and long-term goals. Goals may include early-stage process-oriented goals, such as reading about PA benefits or finding a walking partner.

PALSS sessions will focus on motivating participants to engage in leisure and social activity. Sessions will include interactive, structured activity that will be led by a therapist, as well as unstructured leisure activities, such as board games, cards, general socialization, and viewing a travel video. Social and communication skills will not be explicitly taught or practiced. All participants will attend 90-minute sessions weekly for the first 16 weeks, then biweekly for the remaining 8 weeks.