The Effectiveness of Volleyball Exercises on Cognitive Function and Daily Living Skills in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial Publisher



Poul MK¹ ; Raji P¹ ; Gharib M² ; Faghihzadeh E³ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Iranian Medical Council Published:2025

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of volleyball exercises on executive function and daily living skills in schizophrenia. Methods: In this randomized study, 28 individuals with schizophrenia participated. The intervention was volleyball exercises for two months. The Functional Independence Measure, The Lawton instrumental activities of daily living scale, and Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment battery tests were used in this study. Repeated measures and effect size were utilized for analysis. Results: Volleyball exercises improve cognitive function andActivities of Daily Living (ADLs) in the intervention group in the following: group effect, time effect, and group and time interaction. They were significant respectively (p-value1=0.041, p-value2=0.001, p-value3=0.001, Cohen’s d=1.267,1.266), (p-value1=0.001, p-value2=0.001, p-value3= 0.001, Cohen’s d=3.967,3.749). With this intervention, no significant difference was observed between the control and intervention groups in instrumental activities of daily Living. Conclusion: Volleyball exercises improve executive function and ADLs in individuals with schizophrenia. Copyright 2025, Journal of Iranian Medical Council.