OBJECTIVE To review the literature on physiotherapy in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS An electronic literature search (PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PEDro, Psychlnfo and SPORTDiscus) was carried out for the period 10 January 2000 to 10 January 2010. The Dutch Journal of Physical Therapy and Current Themes in Psychomotor Therapy were also screened. Only studies with patients with schizophrenia (including schizoaffective and schizophreniform disorders) were included; excluded were studies in which psychotic patients and patients with major depression and/or bipolar disorder were included. Studies using co-interventions other than antipsychotics were also excluded. RESULTS The literature search identified 27 articles, 14 of which were included. Physical therapy may contribute to learning to cope with feelings of anxiety and stress. There was strong evidence that physical therapy has beneficial effects on positive and negative symptoms, but there was limited evidence that aerobic training improved cardio-metabolic fitness and that a combination of aerobic and muscular training improved muscular fitness. Cueing may offer perspectives for the treatment of psychomotor disturbances. CONCLUSION Physiotherapy is of value in the multidisciplinary treatment of schizophrenia; however, more qualitative and quantitative research is needed before practical guidelines for the treatment of these patients can be developed.

There are no links to full text for this record.