6533b860fe1ef96bd12c31c5

RESEARCH PRODUCT

An examination of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: A meta-analysis

Simon RosenbaumJoseph FirthFelipe Barreto SchuchDavy VancampfortNicola VeroneseGiovanni Abrahão SalumGiovanni Abrahão SalumTheodore D. CoscoBrendon StubbsBrendon Stubbs

subject

AdultExercise Physical activity Anxiety Stressmedicine.drug_classmedicine.medical_treatmentAnxietyAnxiolyticlaw.invention03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineAnti-Anxiety AgentsRandomized controlled triallawmedicineAerobic exerciseHumans030212 general & internal medicineExerciseBiological PsychiatryRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicPanic disorderStress-related disordersmedicine.disease030227 psychiatryExercise TherapyCognitive behavioral therapyPsychiatry and Mental healthTreatment OutcomeAnti-Anxiety AgentsAnxietymedicine.symptomPsychologyStress PsychologicalClinical psychology

description

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 size (Standardized Mean Difference=−0.582, 95%CI −1.0 to −0.76, p=0.02). Our data suggest that exercise is effective in improving anxiety symptoms in people with a current diagnosis of anxiety and/ or stress-related disorders. Taken together with the wider benefits of exercise on wellbeing and cardiovascular health, these findings reinforce exercise as an important treatment option in people with anxiety/stress disorders. © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2017-03-01
10.1016/j.psychres.2016.12.020http://hdl.handle.net/10447/460304