The effects of interventions with physical activity components on adolescent mental health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ruth Neill*, Katrina Lloyd, Paul Best, Mark A. Tully

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)
620 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: The health benefits of physical activity have gained interest as an
intervention tool for mental health. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of interventions with physical activity components on measures of anxiety, depression and stress in young people.
Methods: A systematic search was carried out across nine electronic databases
(MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, British Education Index, Child Development and
Adolescent Studies, CENTRAL, Embase, SportDiscus and Psychinfo). Inclusion
criteria were studies that used physical activity components with anxiety, depression and stress outcomes in a target population aged 10-19 years. Intervention effects (mean differences) were calculated with a random-effects model. A risk of bias assessment was conducted.
Results: A total of 13 studies depicting 11 RCT and 2 Cluster RCT’s with 1,928
participants were included. 11 studies were eligible for meta-analyses. The metaanalyses for anxiety demonstrated no difference between groups at follow-up (SMD 0.04; 95% CI -0.20, 0.28; I 2 = 55%) or when measured as change from baseline (SMD -0.33; 95% CI -0.68, 0.03; I 2 =0%). Similarly, no difference in depression was demonstrated between groups at follow-up (SMD 0.09; 95% CI -0.20, 0.40; I 2 = 72%) or when measured as change from baseline (SMD -0.11; 95% CI -0.29, 0.07; I 2 = 0%). The meta-analyses showed no overall affect and included studies had high risk of bias and heterogeneity therefore results should be viewed tentatively.
Conclusion: The ability of physical activity components within interventions to produce meaningful change in anxiety, depression and stress outcomes in adolescents remains unclear as the results of the meta-analyses showed no overall affect. Therefore more conclusive studies should be conducted in the future.
Original languageEnglish
Article number100359
JournalMental Health and Physical Activity
Early online date28 Sept 2020
Publication statusEarly online date - 28 Sept 2020

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