showing 13 related works from this author
Physical activity and anxiety: A perspective from the World Health Survey
2017
BackgroundDespite the known benefits of physical activity (PA) among people with anxiety, little is known about PA levels in people with anxiety at the population level. This study explored the global prevalence of anxiety and its association with PA.MethodsCross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Survey was analyzed. Prevalence of anxiety was estimated for 237,964 individuals (47 countries). PA was categorized as low, moderate, and high based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). The association between PA and anxiety was assessed by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe overall global prevalence of anxiety was 11.4% (47 countries). Ac…
The collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times in adults (COH-FIT-Adults): Design and methods of an international …
2022
BACKGROUND: . High-quality comprehensive data on short-/long-term physical/mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed. METHODS: . The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) is an international, multi-language (n=30) project involving >230 investigators from 49 countries/territories/regions, endorsed by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT is a multi-wave, on-line anonymous, cross-sectional survey [wave 1: 04/2020 until the end of the pandemic, 12 months waves 2/3 starting 6/24 months threreafter] for adults, adolescents (14-17), and children (6-13), utilizing non-probability/snowball and representative samp…
Optimising the effects of physical activity on mental health and wellbeing: A joint consensus statement from Sports Medicine Australia and the Austra…
2023
Objectives Participation in physical activity can improve mental health and well-being, but effects are mixed. This consensus statement from Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Psychological Society aims to provide guidance to practitioners on the ways that physical activity can be promoted to maximise benefits to mental health. Method Following the Clinical Consensus Statement protocol, an expert group comprised of eight members with expertise in physical activity and mental health articulated recommendations regarding five physical activity contextual factors: type, physical environment, delivery, domain, and social environment. Results To optimise the mental health benefits of p…
Exercise for depression in older adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials adjusting for publication bias
2016
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antidepressant effects of exercise in older adults, using randomized controlled trial (RCT) data. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of exercise in older adults, addressing limitations of previous works. RCTs of exercise interventions in older people with depression (≥ 60 years) comparing exercise vs. control were eligible. A random-effects meta-analysis calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) (95% confidence interval [95%CI]), meta-regressions, and trim, fill, and fail-safe number analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included, representing 138 participants in exercise arms and 129 controls. Exercise had a large and significant effect on…
Dropout from exercise randomized controlled trials among people with depression: A meta-analysis and meta regression
2015
Abstract Objective Exercise has established efficacy in improving depressive symptoms. Dropouts from randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) pose a threat to the validity of this evidence base, with dropout rates varying across studies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence and predictors of dropout rates among adults with depression participating in exercise RCT’s. Method Three authors identified RCT’s from a recent Cochrane review and conducted updated searches of major electronic databases from 01/2013 to 08/2015. We included RCT’s of exercise interventions in people with depression (including major depressive disorder (MDD) and depressive symptoms…
Physical and mental health impact of COVID-19 on children, adolescents, and their families: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functionin…
2022
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered daily routines and family functioning, led to closing schools, and dramatically limited social interactions worldwide. Measuring its impact on mental health of vulnerable children and adolescents is crucial. METHODS: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT - www.coh-fit.com) is an on-line anonymous survey, available in 30 languages, involving >230 investigators from 49 countries supported by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT has thee waves (until the pandemic is declared over by the WHO, and 6-18 months plus 24-36 months after its end). In addition to adults, COH-FIT also…
Perceived Stress and Its Relationship with Chronic Medical Conditions and Multimorbidity among 229,293 Community-Dwelling Adults in 44 Low- and Middl…
2017
In this study, we assessed the association of chronic medical conditions and multimorbidity with perceived stress among community-dwelling adults in 44 low- and middle-income countries. Data from the World Health Survey (2002-2004), including 229,293 adults, were analyzed. A perceived stress score (range, 0 (lowest stress)-100 (highest stress)) was computed on the basis of 2 questions from the Perceived Stress Scale. Eleven chronic conditions were assessed.Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations. All chronic conditions were associated with significantly higher mean perceived stress scores, with the exception of edentulism. The associations were pa…
Physical activity correlates among people with psychosis: Data from 47 low- and middle-income countries
2018
Background: People with schizophrenia engage in low levels of physical activity (PA). However, few large-scale studies have investigated the factors that may influence PA participation in individuals with psychosis and data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is especially scarce. Thus, we investigated PA correlates in a large sample of people with a psychosis diagnosis across 47 LMICs. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the World Health Survey, restricting to those with a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia/psychotic disorder, was analyzed. PA was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and participants were dichotomized into those that …
The prevalence and predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia: A systematic review and me…
2016
Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a health hazard since it is associated with neurocognitive dysfunction and cardio-metabolic diseases. The prevalence of OSA among people with serious mental illness (SMI) is unclear. Method We searched major electronic databases from inception till 06/2015. Articles were included that reported the prevalence of OSA determined by polysomnography (PSG) or an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >5 events/hr, in people with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) or schizophrenia. A random effects meta-analysis calculating the pooled prevalence of OSA and meta-regression of potential moderators were performed. Results Twelve articles were inc…
An examination of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: A meta-analysis
2017
The literature regarding exercise for people with established anxiety disorders is equivocal. To address this issue, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the benefits of exercise compared to usual treatment or control conditions in people with an anxiety and/or stress-related disorders. Major electronic databases were searched from inception until December/2015 and a random effect meta-analysis conducted. Altogether, six randomized control trials (RCTs) including 262 adults (exercise n=132, 34.74 [9.6] years; control n=130, 37.34 [10.0] years) were included. Exercise significantly decreased anxiety symptoms more than control conditions, with a moderate effect siz…
Physical activity and depression: a large cross-sectional, population-based study across 36 low- and middle-income countries
2016
Objective: Physical activity (PA) is good for health, yet several small-scale studies have suggested that depression is associated with low PA. A paucity of nationally representative studies investigating this relationship exists, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explored the global association of PA with depression and its mediating factors. Method: Participants from 36 LMICs from the World Health Survey were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken exploring the relationship between PA and depression. Results: Across 178 867 people (mean ± SD age = 36.2 ± 13.5 years; 49.9% male), the prevalence of depression and the prevalenc…
The Lancet Psychiatry Commission: a blueprint for protecting physical health in people with mental illness.
2019
The poor physical health of people with mental illness is a multifaceted, transdiagnostic, and global problem. People with mental illness have an increased risk of physical disease, as well as reduced access to adequate health care. As a result, physical health disparities are observed across the entire spectrum of mental illnesses in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. The high rate of physical comorbidity, which often has poor clinical management, drastically reduces life expectancy for people with mental illness, and also increases the personal, social, and economic burden of mental illness across the lifespan. This Commission summarises advances in understanding on the…
A meta-review of “lifestyle psychiatry”: the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders
2020
There is increasing academic and clinical interest in how "lifestyle factors" traditionally associated with physical health may also relate to mental health and psychological well-being. In response, international and national health bodies are producing guidelines to address health behaviors in the prevention and treatment of mental illness. However, the current evidence for the causal role of lifestyle factors in the onset and prognosis of mental disorders is unclear. We performed a systematic meta-review of the top-tier evidence examining how physical activity, sleep, dietary patterns and tobacco smoking impact on the risk and treatment outcomes across a range of mental disorders. Result…