Positive short-term effects of activity on behaviour in chronic schizophrenic patients.

Forty schizophrenic patients were rated both by nurses (using the NOSIE) and by themselves on days soon after they had completed a period of activity. When compared with less active days, significant improvement was seen in most behaviours measured following activity, suggesting that activity is beneficial in the treatment of a population whose level of activity is restricted. Greatest improvement was found in less severely disturbed patients, more overweight individuals, females and those with lower levels of normal activity.