Patterns of antipsychotic prescription and accelerometer-based physical activity levels in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a multicenter, prospective study

Abstract

Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) is usually not recommended, though it is very common in clinical practice. Both APP and SSDs have been linked to worse health outcomes and decreased levels of physical activity, which in turn is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality. This real-world, observational study aimed to investigate antipsychotic prescribing patterns and physical activity in residential patients and outpatients with SSDs. A total of 620 patients and 114 healthy controls were recruited in 37 centers across Italy. Each participant underwent a comprehensive sociodemographic and clinical evaluation. Physical activity was monitored for seven consecutive days through accelerometer-based biosensors. High rates of APP were found in all patients, with residential patients receiving more APP than outpatients, probably because of greater psychopathological severity. Physical activity was lower in patients compared to controls. However, patients on APP showed trends of reduced sedentariness and higher levels of light physical activity than those in monopharmacy. Rehabilitation efforts in psychiatric residential treatment facilities were likely to result in improved physical activity performances in residential patients. Our findings may have important public health implications, as they indicate the importance of reducing APP and encouraging physical activity. Int

Positivity, daily time use, mood, and functioning in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Results from the diapason multicentric study

“…RFs provide support and supervision for individuals with high needs, severe psychopathology, and low functioning, who may have difficulty managing their symptoms and daily activities on their own ( de Girolamo et al, 2022 ; Martinelli, Iozzino, et al, 2022 ; Martinelli, Killaspy, et al, 2022 ; Ministero della Salute, 2022 ). The DiAPAson project ( Mayeli et al, 2023 ; Oliva et al, 2023 ; Zarbo et al, 2022 , 2023 ) included 20 DMHs and 17 RFs located in different regions of Italy. DMHs recruited both outpatients and residents, while RFs only residents.…”

Ecological monitoring of emotional intensity, variability, and instability in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Results of a multicentre study

“…This multisite project (DiAPAson project ‐ Daily Activities, Physical Activities and Interpersonal relationships) (de Girolamo et al, 2020 ; Martinelli et al, 2022 ; Martinelli et al, 2023 ; Mayeli et al, 2023 ; Oliva et al, 2022 ; Zarbo et al, 2022 ; Zarbo, Rota, et al, 2023 ; Zarbo, Zamparini, Killaspy, et al, 2023 ; Zarbo, Zamparini, Nielssen, et al, 2023 ; Zarbo, Stolarski, et al, 2023 ) included 20 Departments of Mental Health (DMHs) and 98 Residential Facilities (RF) located in different Italian regions. Departments of Mental Health recruited both outpatient and residential patients, and RFs only residential patients.…”

Can circadian rhythm predict changes in neurocognitive functioning in bipolar disorder: protocol of a 12-month longitudinal cohort study based on research domain criteria

“…Non-wear time will be defined as 60 consecutive minutes of zeros with a 2-minute spike tolerance based on the default Wear Time Validation algorithm provided by Actilife 6.13.4. Any non-wearing epochs will be excluded from the analysis without any data imputation [ 41 , 42 ]. For a day to be deemed valid, it must have a minimum of 20 h of wearing time [ 42 ].…”

“…Any non-wearing epochs will be excluded from the analysis without any data imputation [ 41 , 42 ]. For a day to be deemed valid, it must have a minimum of 20 h of wearing time [ 42 ]. A participant will be considered valid if they have a minimum of 7 valid days, including at least 5 weekdays and 2 weekend days [ 35 ].…”