Other Titles
Prevalence and Predictors of Possible Sarcopenia Among People with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: People with schizophrenia commonly experience physical health decline, including reduced muscle mass and strength due to medication and a sedentary lifestyle, leading to sarcopenia and greater health risks. In 2019, the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) introduced "possible sarcopenia" to promote early detection and prevention.
Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and predictors of possible sarcopenia in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study recruited 216 participants aged 18–65 from two psychiatric teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan through convenience sampling. Structured questionnaires assessed demographics, the Frailty Assessment Scale for Schizophrenia (FASS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA), Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and SARC-F. Muscle mass was measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Logistic regression identified predictors of possible sarcopenia.
Results: Possible sarcopenia was identified in 48.61% of participants.. Using principal components analysis to address multicollinearity, we combined the Frailty Assessment Scale for Schizophrenia (FASS) and PANSS negative symptoms into a single component called Psychomotor Frailty. We also integrated the Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA) and the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ) into the Socio-Physical Function Loop. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that, after controlling for age, education, body mass index (BMI), illness duration, imipramine dosage, and HbA1C levels, higher Psychomotor Frailty scores were associated with 1.54 times greater odds of possible sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.539, p = .013). Conversely, higher scores in the Socio-Physical Function Loop correlated with 0.69 times lower odds of sarcopenia (OR = 0.687, p = .040), indicating a protective effect of approximately 30%.
Conclusion: Psychomotor Frailty indicates early risk from motor-cognitive decline, while the Socio-Physical Function Loop acts as a protective factor through activity and social engagement. This dual-track model supports early detection and targeted rehabilitation. Future longitudinal studies should confirm its causal and predictive validity.
Notes
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Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Sarcopenia, Schizophrenia, Frailty Syndrome, Risk Assessment
Recommended Citation
Chen, Pei-Yi; Liu, Yia-Ping; and Yang, Chiu-Yueh, "Predictors of Possible Sarcopenia and the Role of Psychomotor Frailty in People with Schizophrenia" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 66.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/66
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-26
Predictors of Possible Sarcopenia and the Role of Psychomotor Frailty in People with Schizophrenia
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: People with schizophrenia commonly experience physical health decline, including reduced muscle mass and strength due to medication and a sedentary lifestyle, leading to sarcopenia and greater health risks. In 2019, the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) introduced "possible sarcopenia" to promote early detection and prevention.
Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and predictors of possible sarcopenia in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study recruited 216 participants aged 18–65 from two psychiatric teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan through convenience sampling. Structured questionnaires assessed demographics, the Frailty Assessment Scale for Schizophrenia (FASS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA), Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and SARC-F. Muscle mass was measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Logistic regression identified predictors of possible sarcopenia.
Results: Possible sarcopenia was identified in 48.61% of participants.. Using principal components analysis to address multicollinearity, we combined the Frailty Assessment Scale for Schizophrenia (FASS) and PANSS negative symptoms into a single component called Psychomotor Frailty. We also integrated the Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA) and the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ) into the Socio-Physical Function Loop. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that, after controlling for age, education, body mass index (BMI), illness duration, imipramine dosage, and HbA1C levels, higher Psychomotor Frailty scores were associated with 1.54 times greater odds of possible sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.539, p = .013). Conversely, higher scores in the Socio-Physical Function Loop correlated with 0.69 times lower odds of sarcopenia (OR = 0.687, p = .040), indicating a protective effect of approximately 30%.
Conclusion: Psychomotor Frailty indicates early risk from motor-cognitive decline, while the Socio-Physical Function Loop acts as a protective factor through activity and social engagement. This dual-track model supports early detection and targeted rehabilitation. Future longitudinal studies should confirm its causal and predictive validity.
Description
Nearly half of patients with schizophrenia exhibited possible sarcopenia. Higher Psychomotor Frailty significantly increased the odds of sarcopenia, whereas a stronger Socio-Physical Function Loop served as a protective factor. These findings highlight a dual-track model: Psychomotor Frailty as a risk indicator and Socio-Physical Function as a resilience pathway, providing a framework for early identification and targeted rehabilitation in psychiatric populations.