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

Brendon Stubbs, Davy Vancampfort, Simon Rosenbaum, Joseph Firth, Theodore Cosco, Nicola Veronese, Giovanni A. Salum, Felipe B. Schuch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

418 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)102-108
Number of pages7
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume249
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • anxiety
  • exercise
  • stress (psychology)

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