Indoor rock climbing (bouldering) as a new treatment for depression: study design of a waitlist-controlled randomized group pilot study and the first results

Abstract

BackgroundDepression is one of the most common diseases in industrialised nations. Physical activity is regarded as an important part of therapeutic intervention. Rock climbing or bouldering (rock climbing to moderate heights without rope) comprises many aspects that are considered useful, but until now, there has been hardly any research on the effects of a bouldering group intervention on people with depression. The purpose of this controlled pilot study was twofold: first, to develop a manual for an eight-week interventional program that integrates psychotherapeutic interventions in a bouldering group setting and second, to assess the effects of a bouldering intervention on people with depression.MethodsThe intervention took place once a week for three hours across a period of eight weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to the two groups (intervention vs. waitlist). The intervention group began the bouldering therapy immediately after a baseline measurement was taken; the waitlist participants began after an eight-week period of treatment as usual. On four measurement dates at eight-week intervals, participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), the symptom checklist-90-R (SCL-90), the questionnaire on resources and self-management skills (FERUS), and the attention test d2-R. A total of 47 participants completed the study, and the data were analysed with descriptive statistics. Cohen’s d was calculated as a measure of the effect size. For the primary hypothesis, a regression analysis and the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) (improvement of at least 6 points on the BDI-II) were calculated.ResultsAfter eight weeks of intervention, results indicated positive effects on the measures of depression (primary hypothesis: BDI-II: Cohen’s d = 0.77), this was supported by the regression analysis with “group” as the only significant predictor of a change in depression (p = .007). The NNT was four.ConclusionsThese findings provide the first evidence that therapeutic bouldering may offer an effective treatment for depression. Further research is required.Trial registrationCurrent controlled trials, ISRCTN17623318, registered on July 15th 2015.

Experiencing In Climbing And Psychological Effects Of Sport Climbing

“…A full concentration, which is needed to a successful ascent, can generate a https: //dx.doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2019.02.02.14 Corresponding Author: Dagmar Hrušová Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Organizing Committee of the conference eISSN: 2357-1330 125 very intensive experience and allows a climber to "be here now". This is in agreement with Luttenberger et al (2015) and the suggested difference of climbing from other common sports, in terms of supporting not only physical but also cognitive and emotional resources.…”

“…Thus a full concentration can generate a very intensive experience and allows a climber to "be here now". In addition, there are emotions in climbing linked to the present moment, such as fear, pride, and trust (Luttenberger et al, 2015). Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) pointed out that happiness is to be found by living in the moment, and people should train to resist mind wandering and to "be here now", in harmony with philosophical and religious traditions.…”

Ein neuer Weg in der Behandlung depressiver Symptome

“…Wie bewerte ich einen Erfolg?) Viele Teilnehmer unserer erapiegruppen [23] berichten nach der erapie, dass sie sich bei Problemen im Leben nun häu g fragen "Wie hätte ich es beim Bouldern gemacht? "…”

“…Das stärkt massiv das Selbstwirksamkeitsemp nden. So konnten wir nach einer achtwöchigen Bouldertherapie in der Interventionsgruppe eine Verbesserung des Selbstwirksamkeitsemp ndens und der Copingstrategien beobachten, wäh-rend diese in der Wartegruppe unverän-dert blieben [23].…”

“…Die Autorinnen selbst führten in den Jahren 2013 bis 2014 mit der Studie "Klettern und Stimmung" die erste randomisierte kontrollierte Studie zur Wirksamkeit therapeutischen Boulderns bei ambulanten Patienten mit Depression durch [23].…”