Effects of combining physical activity with psychotherapy on mental health and well-being: A systematic review

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Author
Thomas, Jennifer
Thirlaway, Kathryn
Bowes, Nicola
Meyers, Rob
Date
2020-01-15Acceptance date
2020-01-15
Type
Article
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0165-0327
1573-2517
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objective
: Despite a vast evidence-base advocating the psychological benefits of physical activity, relatively little is understood about how combining physical activity with psychological therapies may influence these positive effects. The aim of this paper is to systematically analyse evidence from studies adopting a combined approach, and identify potential mechanisms of action on clinical outcomes.
Methods
: The Embase, PsycINFO and Medline (PubMed and OVID) databases were searched for applicable trials published up to December 2018. Relevant data was extracted from eligible studies, and the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool was utilised to objectively assess the quality of each study.
Results
: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, seven of which were rated as methodologically `strong'. Combining physical activity with psychological therapy consistently engendered positive effects on outcomes compared with treatment as usual. Similar improvements in psychological outcomes were observed in most (7/8) groups receiving physical activity alone. Increased levels of physical activity were observed in psychologically-informed interventions, however this effect was unrelated to changes in psychological outcomes.
Limitations
: Clinical and methodological heterogeneity precluded meta-analyses of results, while risk of bias detected in the studies may compromise overall validity of the findings.
Conclusions
: Physical activity interventions may be a viable alternative to psychological therapies, provided psychological approaches are incorporated into the implementation design (i.e. behavioural activation). Improved psychological outcomes may be observed regardless of `dose' received, however further research is required to ascertain whether psychosocial mechanisms of change mediate positive effects.
Journal/conference proceeding
Journal of Affective Disorders;
Citation
Thomas, J., Thirlaway, K., Bowes, N. and Meyers, R. (2020) 'Effects of Combining Physical Activity with Psychotherapy on Mental Health and Well-being: A Systematic Review', Journal of Affective Disorders, 265, pp. 475-485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.070
Description
Article published in Journal of Affective Disorders available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.070
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
KESS2
Collections
- Sport Research Groups [1088]
- Health and Risk Management [392]
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