Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses: Exercise Effects on Depression in Children and Adolescents

Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses: Exercise Effects on Depression in Children and Adolescents

Authors
Wegner, M. Amatriain-Fernandez, S. Kaulitzky, A. Murillo-Rodriguez, E. Machado, S. Budde, H.
Year
2020
Journal
Frontiers in psychiatry Frontiers Research Foundation
Volume
11
Pages
81
Background: Depression is a common threat to children and adolescents in terms of affecting psychosocial development and increasing their risk of suicide. Apart from conventional treatments for depression, physical exercise has become a promising alternative. This paper aims to systematically review the existing meta-analyses that focus on the impact of physical exercise on clinical and nonclinical depression in children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MedLine, PubMed, and hand searching. Risk of bias analysis, effect sizes calculations, and evaluation of the methodological characteristics (AMSTAR 2) were carried out. Results: Four meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. After analysing the overlap, the total sample contained 30 single studies (mostly including gender mixed samples) and 2,110 participants (age range 5-20 years). The medium duration of the interventions was 11.5 weeks. The sessions had a medium length of 41 min, and the frequency of implementation was three sessions per week. The most implemented intervention type was aerobic exercise, while control groups mainly continued with their regular routine, among other related options. The overall mean effect of physical exercise on depression was medium (d = -0.50). The additional analysis in clinically depressed samples documented a small to medium mean effect (d = -0.48) in favor of the intervention. Conclusion: The small to medium but consistently positive effects that were found in the present study place physical exercise as a promising and helpful alternative for children and adolescents with clinical and nonclinical depression. The limited literature focused on children and adolescents in comparison with adult samples points to the need for further research.

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Type of intervention

Early Intervention

Topic

Mental Health Problems and Disorders

Emotional Problems

Depression and Depressed Mood

Intervention

Public Health Interventions

Physical Activity

Age group

School Aged Children (6-12 years)

Adolescents (13-18 years)

Characteristics

Overviews of Reviews

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