The efficacy of group hiking on some physical health indexes and quality of life of chronic schizophrenic patients: A randomized clinical trial

Chronic schizophrenic patients treated with some antipsychotic drugs are suffering from metabolic disorders. The aim of present study was to determine the effect of a group hiking in nature on some indexes of physical health and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia. In this randomized clinical trial study 62 eligible chronic schizophrenic patients in Sina psychiatry hospital were allocated randomly in two control (n=30) and intervention (n=32) groups. Control group received routine treatment, while patients in intervention group participated in a group hiking program in nature, 90 minutes every morning for two months. At the first and the end of the study, triglyceride, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, Body Mass Index and quality of life were evaluated in both groups. At the first of the study, there was not a significant difference between mean of quality of life in two groups (P=0.09), but after intervention, quality of life in hiking group was significantly improved (P<0.001). The total mean score of quality of life in hiking group at the first of study was 81.69±11.26 and at the end of study was 77.62±10.93 (P<0.001), while differences were not significant in control group (P>0.05). After intervention, in hiking group, Body Mass Index and triglyceride level were decreased significantly (P<0.001). Group hiking in nature could improve physical health and quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients, so more attention to this therapeutic method in these patients is necessary.