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Analysis Finds No Interindividual Differences in Anxiolytic Effects of Exercise
The anxiety-easing effects of exercise do not appear to differ between individuals, according to study findings published online ahead of print in Psychiatry Research.
“Consequently, clinical practice can focus on general population physical activity guidelines for patients with anxiety- and stress-related disorders rather than aiming for highly specific, individualized recommendations,” wrote study lead and corresponding author Davy Vancampfort, PhD, KU Leuven Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium, and coauthors.
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The study was a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials that included 322 participants. Prompted by growing interest within the mental health care field as to individualized responses, researchers evaluated data to investigate whether anxiolytic effects differed among adults with anxiety- and stress-related disorders.
The analysis identified significant anxiolytic effects with aerobic exercise and resistance training. However, interindividual differences in anxiolytic effects were not found for either type of exercise.
Based on the findings, researchers concluded “there is currently a lack of convincing evidence to support the notion that true interindividual differences exist for the anxiolytic effects of exercise among adults with anxiety- and stress-related disorders.”
Future research, they advised, might focus on motivational strategies to encourage people with anxiety- and stress-related disorders to meet physical activity guidelines for the general population.
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