The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: An update of the available meta-analytic evidence

Ramos-Sanchez, Carlos Pelayo; Schuch, Felipe Barreto; Seedat, Soraya; Louw, Quinette; Stubbs, Brendon; Rosenbaum, Simon; Firth, Joseph; Winkel, Ruud van; Vancampfort, Davy

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114046

Cited by 54 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…An a priori power calculation programme showed that the proposed randomized controlled trial sample need to consists of 86 participants (G*Power 3.1.9.2; F-test over two groups with a moderate effect size, α = .05, f = .25, power = .80). This moderate effect size is based on multiple previous research showing bordering-medium to large effect sizes (Goldstein et al, 2018 ; Hall et al, 2020 ; Powers et al, 2015 ; Ramos-Sanchez et al, 2021 ; Rosenbaum, Sherrington, et al, 2015 ; Rosenbaum et al, 2015 ; Whitworth et al, 2019a ). Besides this, our study most resembles the study of Rosenbaum, Sherrington, and colleagues ( 2015 ), who reported a moderate effect size.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Therefore, we cannot conclude that adding physical activity in the context of an intensive TFT format is better than doing nothing. However, the added value of physical activity in comparison to wait-list control conditions, or nothing (stand-alone form), has already shown to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms (Davis et al, 2021 ; Ramos-Sanchez et al, 2021 ; Rosenbaum et al, 2015 ). Therefore, our comparison with a non-physical active control condition seems a logical next step.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These physical activity interventions ranged from one to two supervised sessions per week within a time frame of six to 12 weeks. Additionally, more recent meta-analyses supported these findings and showed that physical activity interventions as an add-on to psychological treatments, are promising treatment options for individuals with PTSD (Davis, Zachry, & Berke, 2021 ; Ramos-Sanchez et al, 2021 ). However, many previous (pilot) studies lacked a non-physical active control condition (Goldstein et al, 2018 ; Hall et al, 2020 ; Nordbrandt, Sonne, Mortensen, & Carlsson, 2020 ; Powers et al, 2015 ; Rosenbaum, Sherrington, et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

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Augmenting PTSD treatment with physical activity: study protocol of the APPART study (Augmentation for PTSD with Physical Activity in a Randomized Trial)

Voorendonk

Sanches²,

Tollenaar

et al. 2022

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background New intensive trauma-focused treatment (TFT) programmes that incorporate physical activity have been developed for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the unique contribution of physical activity within these intensive TFT programmes has never been investigated in a controlled manner. Objectives This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of physical activity added to an intensive TFT programme. In addition, the study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effects of physical activity on the change in PTSD symptoms. Methods Individuals with PTSD ( N = 120) will be randomly allocated to two conditions: a physical activity or a non-physical active control condition. All participants will receive the same intensive TFT lasting eight days within two consecutive weeks, in which daily prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy sessions, and psycho-education are combined. The amount of physical activity will differ per condition. While the physical activity condition induces daily physical activities with moderate intensity, in the non-physical active control condition no physical activity is prescribed; but instead, a controlled mixture of guided (creative) tasks is performed. The two primary outcome measures are change in PTSD symptoms from pre- to post-treatment and at six months follow-up, measured with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5), and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Additionally, self-reported sleep problems, depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, dissociation symptoms and anxiety sensitivity will be measured as potential underlying mechanisms. Conclusions This study will contribute to the research field of augmentation strategies for PTSD treatment by investigating the effectiveness of physical activity added to intensive TFT. Trial registration This trial is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (Trial NL9120).

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

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Augmenting PTSD treatment with physical activity: study protocol of the APPART study (Augmentation for PTSD with Physical Activity in a Randomized Trial)

Voorendonk

Sanches²,

Tollenaar

et al. 2022

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…Für GAD konnte die einzige verfügbare Studie keine Überlegenheit von Fahrradfahren gegenüber einer Kontrollbedingung zeigen. Eine Metaanalyse von randomisierten kontrollierten Studien mit Angst- und verwandten Störungen ergab einen kleinen, aber statistisch signifikanten Effekt von Training, verglichen mit den Kontrollbedingungen 6 .…”

Section: Allgemeine Behandlungsempfehlungenunclassified

Überarbeitete S3-Leitlinie: Behandlung von Angststörungen

Beutel¹,

Wiltink²,

Werner³

et al. 2022

PiD - Psychotherapie im Dialog

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“…Physical activity is an effective means of relieving negative emotions such as anxiety, with the advantages of high compliance, low side effects, and stable outcome [20] . Several Meta-analyses have shown that regular exercise for more than two weeks can signi cantly reduce anxiety symptoms in people of different ages [21][22][23] . In addition, physical activity may also indirectly improve mood by enhancing executive function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Physical Activity Level on Trait Anxiety in College Students: The Mediating Role of Executive Function

DONG

Wang

Xin

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between physical activity level, executive function, and trait anxiety and focused on investigating the mediating role of the subcomponents of executive functions between different levels of physical activity intensity and trait anxiety.Methods: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Stroop task, 1-back task, and More-odd shifting task were used to analyze 248 college students by one-way ANOVA, linear regression analysis, and structural equation modeling analysis.Results: Trait anxiety were significantly correlated with shifting function (r=0.182, P=0.004) and inhibition function (r=0.163, P=0.010) and not with working memory (r=0.056, P=0.385). High-intensity physical activity level was most highly correlated with inhibition function (Beta=-0.144, P=0.024) and working memory (Beta=-0.208, P=0.001), and low-intensity physical activity level was most highly correlated with shifting function (Beta=-0.211, P=0.001). Physical activity level had a 72.31% direct effect on reducing trait anxiety (B=-0.195), with 11.79% mediated by inhibition function (B=-0.023) and 15.90% by shifting function (B=-0.031). High-intensity physical activity level had a direct effect on alleviating trait anxiety in 81.08% (B=-0.150), 9.19% mediated by inhibition function (B=-0.017), and 9.73% mediated by shifting function (B=-0.018). The effect of medium-intensity physical activity level on trait anxiety was 40.91% mediated by inhibition function (B=-0.018) and 56.82% mediated by shifting function (B=0.025). The effect of the low-intensity physical activity level on trait anxiety was mediated 34.62% by inhibition function (B=-0.018) and 65.38% by shifting function (B=-0.034).Conclusion: College students with trait anxiety suffer from impaired inhibition and shifting function. The facilitation effects of physical activity levels on executive function subcomponents were, in descending order, working memory, shifting function, and inhibition function, with high-intensity physical activity level contributing most to the facilitation of working memory and inhibition function, and low-intensity physical activity level contributing most to the promotion of shifting function. Physical activity promotes both inhibition and shifting functions, which in turn affect trait anxiety. The high-intensity physical activity level has a direct effect on trait anxiety, while the anxiolytic effect of medium and low-intensity physical activity level is mediated exclusively through executive functions, with the highest mediating effect of shifting function.

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The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: An update of the available meta-analytic evidence

Cited by 54 publications

References 56 publications

Augmenting PTSD treatment with physical activity: study protocol of the APPART study (Augmentation for PTSD with Physical Activity in a Randomized Trial)

Augmenting PTSD treatment with physical activity: study protocol of the APPART study (Augmentation for PTSD with Physical Activity in a Randomized Trial)

Überarbeitete S3-Leitlinie: Behandlung von Angststörungen

The Effect of Physical Activity Level on Trait Anxiety in College Students: The Mediating Role of Executive Function

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