Key clinical point: Loosely monitored physical exercise and cognitive training programs benefits some outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Major finding: Cognitive gains experienced by outpatients who participate in both physical exercise and cognitive training as measured by processing speed were better than outpatients who did either physical exercise or cognitive training alone.

Study details: The results are based on a study of 85 participants in the Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Program at Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living. Participants were randomized so that 29 did physical exercise, 27 did cognitive training, and 29 did a combination of the two. Eighty-one patients were included in the 2-month follow-up.

Disclosures: A National Institutes of Health grant to lead author Jimmy Choi, Psy.D., partly funded the research. The investigators declared having no conflicts to disclose.