Improving Cognition After a First Schizophrenia Episode Through Telehealth

This study is looking at ways to improve thinking skills (cognition) in people who have recently experienced their first episode of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. You would receive psychiatric treatment and cognitive training through telehealth. Half of the participants will also join an aerobic exercise and strength training program, while the other half will join a Healthy Living Group. Researchers will measure changes in your thinking skills and a substance in your blood called Mature BDNF, which is linked to brain health and exercise. The study is for individuals aged 18 to 45 who have had their first psychotic illness episode within the last three years and speak English fluently. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This is a 12-month randomized controlled trial with a planned enrollment of 100 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in cognitive training and either an aerobic exercise program or a Healthy Living Group, all delivered via telehealth, for 12 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your Mature BDNF levels will be measured at 2 weeks and 3 months, and your cognitive skills will be measured at 3 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05890183

Improving Cognition Through Telehealth Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training After a First Schizophrenia Episode

Recruiting
NAAges 18–45InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~100 participants
Updated 2026-08-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Cognitive trainingAerobic Exercise ProgramModerated Online Social Therapy (MOST)Chorus Participatory Text Messaging ProgramHealthy Living Group (HLG)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Serum Mature BDNF
Measured over Outcome is change from baseline to 2 weeks.
+7 more outcomes measured
Schizophrenia
Schizophreniform Disorder
Schizoaffective Disorder
1 sites across 1 states
California1
  • Keith H Nuechterlein, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, Los Angeles

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Change in Serum Mature BDNFOutcome is change from baseline to 2 weeks.

    A brain neurotrophic factor that stimulates synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis

  • Change in Serum Mature BDNFOutcome is change from baseline to 3 months.

    A brain neurotrophic factor that stimulates synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis

  • Change in Overall Composite T-score from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)Outcome is change from baseline to 3 months.

    A summary of overall cognitive performance on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery

  • Change in Overall Composite T-score from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)Outcome is change from baseline to 6 months.

    A summary of overall cognitive performance on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery

  • Change in Intrinsic Motivation Inventory for Schizophrenia Research (IMI-SR)Outcome is change from baseline to 3 months.

    21 items that assess motivational experiences in three domains: Interest/enjoyment, perceived choice, and value/usefulness.

  • Change in Intrinsic Motivation Inventory for Schizophrenia Research (IMI-SR)Outcome is change from baseline to 6 months.

    21 items that assess motivational experiences in three domains: Interest/enjoyment, perceived choice, and value/usefulness.

  • Attendance at Exercise Sessions for First Three MonthsFirst Three Months After Baseline

    Proportion of group sessions completed by the participants in the exercise group

  • Attendance at Exercise Sessions for First Six MonthsFirst Six Months After Baseline

    Proportion of group sessions completed by the participants in the exercise group