Randomized controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of team play football on schizophrenic patients: a pilot study

Abstract

The physical activity is an important aspect of good health for everyone; it is even more important for psychiatric patients who usually
live an unhealthy lifestyle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of football practice on the self-reported health quality of
life (SRHQL) and Wellbeing in schizophrenic subjects. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the
effectiveness of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program performed by Daily Center Mazzacurati, Department of Mental Health
Roma/D , for psychotic subjects that included weekly football activities for a period of 9 months. The results show that the model
proved effective in the experimental group (SG) as regards the psychopathological dimensions, which are significantly improved
(Median(IQR): 31(16) versus 53(18); p=0.001); in particular the negative symptomatology has been reduced, and this result is
hardly achieved with the drug therapy (17(7) versus 25(15); p=0.003). This study increases the awareness of following this approach
and improving the extension and the confirmation of the results achieved.