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Recruiting NCT05890183

NCT05890183 Improving Cognition Through Telehealth Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training After a First Schizophrenia Episode

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05890183
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor University of California, Los Angeles
Condition Schizophrenia
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 100 participants
Start Date 2023-05-23
Primary Completion 2028-05-31

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 45 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Cognitive trainingAerobic Exercise ProgramModerated Online Social Therapy (MOST)

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 100 participants in total. It began in 2023-05-23 with a primary completion date of 2028-05-31.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The participants in the study will receive psychiatric treatment at the UCLA Aftercare Research Program. All participants in this 12-month RCT will receive cognitive training. Half of the patients will also be randomly assigned to the aerobic exercise and strength training condition, and the other half will be randomly assigned to the Healthy Living Group condition. The primary outcome measures are improvement in cognition and level of engagement in the in-group and at-home exercise sessions. Increases in the level of the patient's serum brain-derived neurotropic factor (specifically Mature BDNF) which causes greater brain neuroplasticity and is indicator of engagement in aerobic exercise, will be measured early in the treatment phase in order to confirm engagement of this target. In order to demonstrate the feasibility and portability of this intervention outside of academic research programs, the interventions will be provided via videoconferencing. The proposed study will incorporate additional methods to maximize participation in the exercise condition, including the use of the Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform to enhance motivation for treatment based on Self-Determination Theory principles, and a "bridging" group to help the participants generalize gains to everyday functioning. In addition, the exercise group participants will receive personally tailored text reminders to exercise.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. a first episode of a psychotic illness that began within the past three years; 2. a diagnosis by DSM-5 of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder; 3. age 18 to 45 years of age; 4. sufficient acculturation and fluency in the English language to avoid invalidating research measures; and 5. residence likely to be within commuting distance of the UCLA Aftercare Research Program. Exclusion Criteria: 1. premorbid IQ less than 70; 2. evidence of a known neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy) or significant head injury; 3. evidence of moderate or severe substance use disorder within the six months prior to the first episode or evidence of a substance-induced psychosis.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Rebecca Zornitsky, MSc

✉ RZornitsky@mednet.ucla.edu

📞 (424) 225-1779

Principal Investigator

Keith H Nuechterlein, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University of California, Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05890183 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 45 Years, studying Schizophrenia. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT05890183 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05890183 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at RZornitsky@mednet.ucla.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05890183 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Los Angeles, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05890183 clinical trial?

NCT05890183 is sponsored by University of California, Los Angeles. The principal investigator is Keith H Nuechterlein, PhD at University of California, Los Angeles. The trial plans to enroll 100 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology