CORTISOL AND SEROTONIN LEVELS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC INPATIENTS UNDERGOING AEROBIC TRAINING

ABSTRACT Introduction Individuals with schizophrenia tend to have high levels of cortisol and changes in the serotonergic mechanism. However, the effects of aerobic exercises on cortisol and serotonin levels in schizophrenic inpatients are not well established. Objective To evaluate the effects of an aerobic training program on serotonin and cortisol levels in schizophrenic inpatients. Methods Thirty schizophrenic subjects were randomly assigned to an exercise group (EG; n = 15; age: 29 ± 9.08 years; BMI: 23.57 ± 4.33 kg/m2) or a control group (CG; n = 15; age: 33.17 ± 12.8 years; BMI: 22.89 ± 5.68 kg/m2). EG performed an aerobic training program in a cycle ergometer (57% to 67% of the maximum heart rate) for 30 minutes, five days a week, with a total of twenty sessions. The analysis of cortisol (Chemiluminescence Method) and serotonin (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) was performed before and after testing in both groups. The level of significance was of p<0.05. Results After the exercise sessions, EG showed a significant reduction in cortisol levels (Δ = -5.68 mcg/dl%, p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in serotonin levels (Δ = 47.63 ng/ml, p = 0.015) compared to CG. Conclusion The aerobic training program was effective in reducing cortisol levels and increasing serotonin levels in schizophrenic inpatients. Level of evidence I; Randomized clinical trial.