Physical activity dose for generalized anxiety disorder & worry: Results from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing.

The lowest moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) dose that conveys protection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and worry is unknown. This study quantified associations of weekly accumulated MVPA doses with GAD and worry across 10 years using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Continuous MVPA (metabolic equivalent of task [MET] minutes per week [MET.min.week-1]; e.g., moderate-intensity brisk walking = 4METs), three-dose and, more precise, five-dose MVPA categories were examined. Worry symptoms and GAD status were measured using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire-Abbreviated and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Multivariable negative random effect binomial regression and logistic models adjusted for relevant covariates quantified associations across time. Among the 7,650 participants, compared to no MVPA (0 MET.min.week-1), 18 % (OR: 0.82; 95 %CI: [0.69-0.98]), 22 % (OR: 0.78; [ 0.64-0.95]) and 31 % (OR: 0.69; [0.59-0.79]) lower odds of GAD were found for the doses of 1-<600, 600-<1,200 and ≥2,400 MET.min.week-1 respectively. Post-hoc analysis demonstrated 47 % lower odds (OR: 0.53; (0.36-0.78) of GAD for 1-<200 MET.min.week1 compared to inactivity. Compared to no activity, engaging in even minimal physical activity equivalent of 10 min/day for five days/week of moderate-intensity activity (e.g., brisk walking), may lower the risk of GAD over time among older adults.

WISER Survivor Trial: Combined Effect of Exercise and Weight Loss Interventions on Adiponectin and Leptin Levels in Breast Cancer Survivors with Overweight or Obesity.

Adipocyte dysregulation is one mechanism linking overweight and breast cancer recurrence. Exercise and weight loss are associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors with overweight or obesity, which may be mediated through reduced leptin levels, increased adiponectin levels, and an elevated adiponectin to leptin (A:L) ratio. The four-arm randomized controlled WISER Survivor trial examined the 12-month intervention effects of exercise, weight loss, and the combination of exercise and weight loss on adipokine levels among breast cancer survivors (n = 339) with overweight or obesity. Compared with Control, the Combination of Exercise and Weight Loss decreased leptin levels (-35.9%; 95% CI: -46.8%, -25.0%) and increased A:L ratio (11.6%; 95% CI: 5.6%, 17.6%) but did not change adiponectin levels (4.1%; 95% CI: -3.1%, 11.2%). Compared with Control, Weight Loss Alone decreased leptin levels (-35.6%; 95% CI: -46.6%, -24.5%) and increased A:L ratio (10.6%; 95% CI: 4.7%, 16.5%) but did not change adiponectin levels (0.9%; 95% CI: -6.0%, 7.9%). Compared with Control, Exercise Alone did not change leptin levels, adiponectin levels, or A:L ratio. In analyses that consolidated intervention groups, compared with Control, weight loss of ≥5% decreased leptin levels (p trend < 0.01) and increased A:L ratio (p trend < 0.01) but did not alter adiponectin levels (p trend = 0.53). Weight loss, with or without exercise, was associated with decreased leptin levels in breast cancer survivors with overweight or obesity. Improvements in the adipokine secretion profile (A:L ratio) were primarily driven by a weight loss-induced change in leptin levels.

Effects of resistance exercise training on depressive symptoms among young adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Evidence supports the antidepressant effects of resistance exercise training (RET); however, findings among young adults at-risk for elevated depressive symptoms are limited. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of eight weeks of ecologically-valid, guidelines-based RET, compared to a wait-list control, on depressive symptoms among 55 young adults (26±5y; 36 female) with and without subclinical, or analogue, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD; Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire GAD subscale ≥6 and Penn State Worry Questionnaire ≥45) and Major Depressive Disorder (AMDD). Following a three-week familiarization period, participants completed one-on-one, twice-weekly RET sessions. The 16-item, self-reported Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) assessed depressive symptoms. RM-ANCOVAs examined between-group differences, and significant interactions were decomposed with simple effects analysis. Hedges' d effect sizes (95%CI) quantified the magnitude of differences in change between groups across time. Stratified analyses were conducted among subsamples with AMDD and AGAD. There were no baseline depressive symptom differences between groups. Attendance was 83%, and compliance was 80%. RET induced statistically significant, clinically-meaningful, large-magnitude reductions in depressive symptoms from baseline to week eight in the total (d = 1.01; [95%CI: 0.44-1.57]), AMDD (d = 1.71; [95%CI: 0.96-2.46]), and AGAD (d = 1.39; [95%CI: 0.55-2.24]) samples. These findings support guidelines-based RET as a promising treatment for mild depression.

Addressing metastatic individuals everyday: Rationale and design of the nurse AMIE for Amazon Echo Show trial among metastatic breast cancer patients.

Background: Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) patients often feel their symptom-related needs are unmet, despite visiting their doctors up to once a week. Novel approaches are needed to address symptoms without requiring additional appointments. Technology based symptom management approaches to address symptoms have not been well tested. Methods: Nurse AMIE (Addressing Metastatic Individuals Everyday) is a technology based supportive care platform that provides guideline-concordant symptom management interventions in response to patient reported symptoms. We have previously successfully implemented a tablet version of Nurse AMIE. However, some eligible patients chose not to participate because they were overwhelmed by the technology. To address this barrier, we translated the Nurse AMIE platform to the Amazon Echo Show, which allowed for voice-based interactions. Forty-two MBC patients were randomized 1:1 to receive the Nurse AMIE for Echo Show immediately for six months, or to receive the same intervention for three months, after a three month delay. The primary outcome was change in physical distress over three months, and secondary outcomes included feasibility, acceptability, patient reported outcomes and usability. Conclusions: Results from the Nurse AMIE for Echo Show trial will identify the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the Nurse AMIE for Echo Show on patient reported outcomes. Untested novel technologies, particularly voice-based artificial intelligence devices may an effective and scalable vehicle through which we can deliver supportive care interventions. Clinicaltrialsgov identifier: NCT04673019.

The Interplay Between Expected Psychological Responses to Exercise and Physical Activity in Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder: a Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Expectations for psychological responses to exercise are not well characterized, particularly in people at risk for anxiety-related illnesses. Given the substantial evidence for salutary effects of exercise on anxiety symptoms and emerging recognition for expectations as a critical mechanism of placebo/nocebo effects, this study explored the interplay between expectations and physical activity in young adults with and without analogue generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS: Participants (N=470, 23.2±4.8 years, 63% female) completed a physical activity and mood survey, including a 7-day physical activity recall questionnaire, and a 20-item questionnaire designed to measure positive and negative expectations for psychological and perceptual responses to exercise, particularly expectations for symptoms in the generalized anxiety disorder symptom profile. Analogue generalized anxiety disorder status was determined using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire. RESULTS: For select outcomes, expected exercise-induced changes significantly differed according to analogue generalized anxiety disorder (whole-body pain, sleep quality, psychological well-being, stress, relaxation) and active versus inactive (anxious mood, depressed mood, concentration, physical function, psychological well-being, relaxation) status. However, these findings did not survive corrections for multiple comparisons and the magnitude of these differences was small, approximating 0.25 standard deviations. Expectations for anxious (Spearman's ρ=-0.14, p≤0.002) and depressed mood (ρ=-0.15, p≤0.002), and psychological well-being (ρ=0.15, p≤0.001) were significantly associated with higher physical activity levels. Exercise expectations for anxious mood explained a significant, but small (+1.5%, p≤0.03), amount of variance in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Expectations for exercise-induced improvements did not significantly differ between young adults based on analogue generalized anxiety disorder or physical activity status.

Light-intensity and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity among older adult breast cancer survivors with obesity: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: With an aging population, rising incidence of breast cancer, improved survival rates, and obesity epidemic, there will be a growing population of older adult breast cancer survivors with obesity. This complex population, often with multimorbidity, is at risk for several poor health outcomes, including recurrence, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and diabetes, and a number of deleterious symptoms, including a worsened inflammatory profile, breast cancer- related lymphedema, mobility disability, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. A wealth of meta-analytic and randomized controlled trial evidence show that adherence to World Health Organization and 2018 United States Physical Activity guidelines-based levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reduces risk of all-cause mortality, and improves symptoms. However, few survivors engage in recommended levels of MVPA, and symptoms related to their multimorbidity may preclude engaging in sufficient levels of MVPA. Additional research of MVPA in this population is warranted; however, understudied light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) may be a more pragmatic target than MVPA among this complex population facing extensive challenges meeting MVPA recommendations. Large benefits are likely to occur from increasing these survivors' total activity, and LIPA prescriptions may be a more pragmatic approach than MVPA to aid this transition. METHODS: We present a broad, narrative review of the evidence for MVPA and LIPA in this population on an array of health outcomes across the translational science spectrum (clinical, implementation, and public health), and identify a number of directions for future research focused on understanding the potential diverse health effects of LIPA. CONCLUSION: Additional LIPA research is warranted, as LIPA prescriptions may be a pragmatic strategy to effectively promote physical activity to this complex population.

The effects of acute resistance exercise among young adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Background The effects of a single bout of resistance exercise (RE) on state anxiety and worry symptoms are understudied. Further, how resistance exercise training (RET) changes response to acute RE is unknown. Methods Sixty-two untrained young adults (mean age (y):26.6; RET n = 27, Wait-list (WL): n = 35, 62.9% female) were randomized to an eight-week, ecologically-valid, guidelines-based RET condition, or eight-week WL control condition. Two acute RE trials were nested within the design at week one and eight, to determine RE response, and change in RE response following RET. The RET condition completed a twice-weekly RET intervention. The WL condition completed 30-minute bouts of quiet-rest at week one and eight. Two-condition (RE/quiet-rest) x two-time (pre/post) x two-session (weeks one/eight) RM-ANCOVAs examined differences between acute RE and quiet-rest pre-post and between acute sessions. Sub-analyses were conducted among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD). Primary outcomes were anxiety and worry symptoms. Results Compliance was 99% (Rate of perceived exertion (6-20) = 14±1, Muscle soreness (1-10)=4 ± 2), with no adverse events. There were no significant three-way interactions for anxiety symptoms or worry symptoms (all p ≥ 0.51) among the total sample or AGAD sample. The magnitude of change in outcomes at each session for both samples were small and non-significant (Hedges' d = -0.26 to 0.23). Limitations Post-condition assessment of primary outcomes was only conducted at a single time point. Conclusion RE did not elicit significant reductions in state anxiety or worry symptoms ten minutes post-RE. RET did not change response to acute RE. Clinicians should encourage RET for maximum anxiolytic benefits.

Physical activity and analogue anxiety disorder symptoms and status: Mediating influence of social physique anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Associations between physical activity (PA) and subclinical anxiety disorder symptoms and status, and potential mediating effect of social physique anxiety (SPA), remain understudied. We examined associations between PA and analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD), analogue Social Anxiety Disorder (ASAD), and analogue Panic Disorder (APD) symptoms and status, the mediating effect of SPA, and sex-related differences. METHODS: Participants (n = 470, 23.2 ± 4.8 years, 298 female) completed the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire, seven-day PA recall, and Social Physique Anxiety Scale. ANCOVA examined differences in SPA and anxiety disorder symptoms between PA levels. Logistic regression examined associations between PA and analogue anxiety disorder status. Mediation analyses estimated the effect of change in PA on analogue anxiety disorder odds when SPA was at its mean. RESULTS: AGAD, ASAD, and APD prevalence was 38.1%, 60.0%, and 15.1%, respectively. AGAD and ASAD symptoms, but not APD symptoms, were significantly lower among higher PA levels. PA was associated with lower odds of AGAD, ASAD, and APD; findings were not significant after adjustment. The pure indirect effect of SPA significantly accounted for 58.2% and 47.9% of the total effect of PA on AGAD and ASAD, respectively; findings were not significant after adjusting for depression. Females showed greater odds of AGAD, ASAD, and APD; mediation findings did not differ based on gender. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, self-reported exposure and outcomes, and sample size are potential limitations. CONCLUSION: Symptoms and odds of AGAD and ASAD status were lower among young adults with greater PA; SPA partially mediated associations and warrants experimental investigation.

Resistance exercise training among young adults with analogue generalized anxiety disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to quantify the effects of eight weeks of World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines-based resistance exercise training (RET) among participants meeting criteria for subclinical, or analogue-GAD (AGAD) METHODS: Forty-four participants (mean age (y): 25.4.6±4.9.2) were randomized to either an eight-week, fully-supervised, one-on-one RET intervention or wait-list control. AGAD status was determined using validated cut-scores for both the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire-GAD subscale (≥6) and Penn State Worry Questionnaire (≥45). Remission, based on change in AGAD status, was assessed post-intervention, and quantified with number needed to treat (NNT). Primary analyses focused on participants missing outcome data at ≤1 time point (RET: n=12, Wait-list: n=15). RM-ANCOVA examined differences between RET and wait-list across time. Simple effects analysis decomposed significant interactions. Hedges' d quantified magnitude of differences in change between conditions over time. RESULTS: Attendance was 81% and compliance to the RET was 77%. Participants significantly increased strength (all d≥1.24, p≤0.006) with no adverse events. RET improved AGAD status (NNT=3, 95%CI: 2 to 7). Significant group X time interactions were found for worry (F(3,66) = 3.12, p≤0.043; d=0.93, 95%CI: 0.13 to 1.73) and anxiety symptoms (F(3,57.84)=2.91, ε=0.88, p≤0.045; d=0.71, 95%CI: -0.08 to 1.49). RET significantly reduced worry (mean difference=-6.49, p≤0.045) and anxiety symptoms (mean difference=-10.50, p≤0.001). LIMITATIONS: Limitations include a small sample size, and lack of attention-matched control condition. CONCLUSION: RET significantly improved AGAD severity, and elicited large, clinically meaningful improvements in worry and anxiety symptoms among young adults with AGAD.

Resistance exercise training for anxiety and worry symptoms among young adults: a randomized controlled trial.

This trial quantified the effects of ecologically-valid resistance exercise training (RET) on anxiety and worry symptoms among young adults. Young adults not meeting criteria for subclinical, or analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD) were randomized to an eight-week RET intervention, or eight-week wait-list. AGAD status was determined using validated cut-scores for both the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire-Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale (≥ 6) and Penn State Worry Questionnaire (≥ 45). The primary outcome was anxiety symptoms measured with the Trait Anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The RET was designed according to World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. RM-ANCOVA examined differences between RET and wait-list over time. Significant interactions were decomposed with simple effects analysis. Hedges' d effect sizes quantified magnitude of differences in change between RET and wait-list. Twenty-eight participants (64% female) fully engaged in the trial (mean age: 26.0 ± 6.2y, RET: n = 14; Wait-list: n = 14). A significant group X time interaction was found for anxiety symptoms (F(3,66) = 3.60, p ≤ 0.019; d = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.06 to 1.63). RET significantly reduced anxiety symptoms from baseline to post-intervention (mean difference = - 7.89, p ≤ 0.001). No significant interaction was found for worry (F(3,69) = 0.79, p ≥ 0.50; d = - 0.22, 95%CI: - 0.96 to 0.53). Ecologically-valid RET significantly improves anxiety symptoms among young adults.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04116944, 07/10/2019.

Physical Activity and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

CONTEXT: Anxiety symptoms and disorders are highly prevalent and costly. Prospective studies suggest that physical activity may prevent anxiety development; however, this body of literature has not been reviewed comprehensively. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Studies measuring physical activity at baseline and anxiety at a designated follow-up at least 1 year later were located using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL Complete through June 2018. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Data were analyzed July-December 2018. Study quality was assessed using Q-Coh. Among studies of adults, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for crude and the most fully adjusted models for three outcomes: self-reported anxiety symptoms, a diagnosis of any anxiety disorder, and a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. As there were few studies with diverse samples and outcome measures, findings were elaborated with a critical narrative review of all studies. Twenty-four studies (median follow-up, 4.75 years) of >80,000 unique individuals were included in the systematic review; thirteen were included in the meta-analyses. Six studies were assessed as low quality, nine as acceptable, and nine as good. From adjusted models, odds of elevated anxiety symptoms (OR=0.8742, 95% CI=0.7731, 0.9886, n=9), any anxiety disorder (OR=0.6626, 95% CI=0.5337, 0.8227, n=3), and generalized anxiety disorder specifically (OR=0.5438, 95% CI=0.3231, 0.9153, n=3) were significantly lower after physical activity exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence suggests that engaging in physical activity protects against anxiety symptoms and disorders. However, notable challenges in the current evidence base include issues regarding exposure and outcome measures, consistent adjustment for putative confounders, representativeness of samples, and attrition bias, which warrant further research.

Associations between grip strength and generalized anxiety disorder in older adults: Results from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing.

BACKGROUND: Associations between grip strength and mental health disorders have been established; however, associations between grip strength and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) remain unstudied. Therefore, this study investigates associations between grip strength and prevalent and incident GAD. METHODS: A prospective cohort design was utilized. At baseline, participants aged ≥50 years (N = 3,952) completed a hand grip strength assessment and abbreviated Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and were divided into sex-specific tertiles based on strength. A score of ≥23 on the PSWQ defined caseness of GAD. At two-year follow-up, GAD was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form. RESULTS: Prevalence and incidence of GAD were 18.2% (N = 718) and 0.9% (N = 29), respectively. Adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, social class, smoking status, and physical activity, a one-standard-deviation (1-SD) increase in strength was associated (OR, 95%CI) with 12.1% (OR = 0.88, 0.80-0.96; p < 0.01) lower odds of prevalent GAD, and middle and high strength tertiles were associated with 27.3% (OR = 0.73, 0.59-0.89; p < 0.01) and 23.1% (OR = 0.77, 0.62-0.95; p < 0.05) lower odds, respectively. A 1-SD increase in strength was non-significantly associated with 24.2% (OR = 0.76, 0.50-1.14) lower odds of incident GAD, and middle and high strength tertiles were non-significantly associated with 31.4% (OR = 0.69, 0.30-1.58) and 66.5% (OR = 0.34, 0.11-1.00) lower odds, respectively (all p > 0.05). There was no significant interaction between strength tertiles and sex. LIMITATIONS: The observational nature of the study limits inferring causality. CONCLUSIONS: Increased hand grip strength may be associated with lower odds of developing GAD in older adults. Larger investigations of prospective associations are needed.

Associations of physical activity with anxiety symptoms and disorders: Findings from the Swedish National March Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with less self-reported anxiety, but prospective studies linked to clinician diagnoses of anxiety disorder remain scarce. We examined whether the PA levels recommended for general health are related to anxiety symptoms and disorders. METHOD: In total, 43,863 Swedish adults were surveyed in 1997 and responses linked to medical registers until 2010. Weekly durations of habitual moderate and vigorous leisure time PA were self-reported. Cross-sectional and prospective relationships between the total duration (minutes) of PA, 0-149 ('below'), 150-299 ('achieve'), and ≥300 min ('exceed') with self-reported anxiety symptoms and incident anxiety disorder were explored. Associations were explored using logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: Of 27,053 participants with complete data (mean age = 49.0 years, SD = 15.9, 66% female), 76% met the recommended duration of PA (≥150 min), and 38% exceeded this duration. At baseline, 2573 participants (9.5%) reported elevated anxiety symptoms. In cross-sectional analyses, engaging in ≥150 min of MVPA/week was associated with 24% (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.68-0.86) lower odds of anxiety symptoms. Exceeding the weekly duration was associated with 36% (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.57-0.72) lower odds. During the 13-year follow-up, 198 incident cases of anxiety disorder (0.8%) were identified. No significant prospective relationships were found. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in leisure time PA at levels recommended for general health may reduce the risk of elevated anxiety symptoms. As the incidence of anxiety disorder was likely under-estimated, further prospective studies are needed to determine the relationship between PA and incident anxiety disorder.

Acute Exercise Effects among Young Adults with Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Recent findings support positive effects of acute aerobic exercise on worry, state anxiety, and feelings of energy and fatigue among young adult women with subclinical, or analogue, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, exercise effects among young adult men with analogue GAD are unstudied. PURPOSE: This study replicated initial findings of positive effects of acute vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise on worry, state anxiety, and feelings of energy and fatigue among young adult women with analogue GAD, examined responses among young adult men with analogue GAD, and explored sex-related differences and moderation by physical activity level, trait anxiety, depression, and poor sleep status. METHODS: Thirty-five young adults (21.4 ± 2.3 yr; 19 males; 16 females) with Penn State Worry Questionnaire scores ≥45 (60 ± 8) completed two counterbalanced 30-min conditions: treadmill running at ~71.2% ± 0.04% HR reserve and seated quiet rest. Outcomes included worry, worry engagement, absence of worry, state anxiety, and feelings of energy and fatigue. RESULTS: No outcome or moderator differed at baseline between sexes. Exercise significantly improved state anxiety (P < 0.04; d = 0.27) and feelings of energy (P < 0.001; d = 1.09). Small nonsignificant improvements were found for worry (d = 0.22), worry engagement (d = 0.18), and feelings of fatigue (d = 0.21). The magnitude of improvements in worry, worry engagement, absence of worry, and feelings of energy were stronger among females. Significant large, potentially clinically meaningful increases in feelings of energy were found among women (d = 1.35) and men (d = 0.92). A nonsignificant, but potentially clinically meaningful, moderate reduction in worry (d = 0.53) was found among women. High-trait anxiety and poor sleep quality were supported as moderators. CONCLUSIONS: Findings replicated positive effects of acute aerobic exercise among young adult women with analogue GAD, and extended to support for positive effects among young adult men with analogue GAD.

Association of Efficacy of Resistance Exercise Training With Depressive Symptoms: Meta-analysis and Meta-regression Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Importance: The physical benefits of resistance exercise training (RET) are well documented, but less is known regarding the association of RET with mental health outcomes. To date, no quantitative synthesis of the antidepressant effects of RET has been conducted. Objectives: To estimate the association of efficacy of RET with depressive symptoms and determine the extent to which logical, theoretical, and/or prior empirical variables are associated with depressive symptoms and whether the association of efficacy of RET with depressive symptoms accounts for variability in the overall effect size. Data Sources: Articles published before August 2017, located using Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials included randomization to RET (n = 947) or a nonactive control condition (n = 930). Data Extraction and Synthesis: Hedges d effect sizes were computed and random-effects models were used for all analyses. Meta-regression was conducted to quantify the potential moderating influence of participant and trial characteristics. Main Outcomes and Measures: Randomized clinical trials used validated measures of depressive symptoms assessed at baseline and midintervention and/or postintervention. Four primary moderators were selected a priori to provide focused research hypotheses about variation in effect size: total volume of prescribed RET, whether participants were healthy or physically or mentally ill, whether or not allocation and/or assessment were blinded, and whether or not the RET intervention resulted in a significant improvement in strength. Results: Fifty-four effects were derived from 33 randomized clinical trials involving 1877 participants. Resistance exercise training was associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms with a moderate-sized mean effect ∆ of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.48-0.83; z = 7.35; P < .001). Significant heterogeneity was indicated (total Q = 216.92, df = 53; P < .001; I2 = 76.0% [95% CI, 72.7%-79.0%]), and sampling error accounted for 32.9% of observed variance. The number needed to treat was 4. Total volume of prescribed RET, participant health status, and strength improvements were not significantly associated with the antidepressant effect of RET. However, smaller reductions in depressive symptoms were derived from randomized clinical trials with blinded allocation and/or assessment. Conclusions and Relevance: Resistance exercise training significantly reduced depressive symptoms among adults regardless of health status, total prescribed volume of RET, or significant improvements in strength. Better-quality randomized clinical trials blinding both allocation and assessment and comparing RET with other empirically supported treatments for depressive symptoms are needed.

Sex-related differences in the association between grip strength and depression: Results from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Muscular strength is a modifiable protective factor for mental health across aging populations. Evidence of sex-related differences in its associations with mental health is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine sex-related differences in cross-sectional and prospective associations between grip strength and depressive symptoms and status. Participants were community dwelling adults (N = 4505; 56.5% female), aged ≥50 years. As a measure of muscular strength, grip strength (kg) of the dominant hand was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer at baseline. Participants were divided into sex-specific tertiles. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale assessed depressive symptoms at baseline and two years later; a score of ≥16 defined caseness of depression. Depressive symptoms were significantly higher among females at baseline (p < 0.001). Prospective models were adjusted for age, sex, waist circumference, social class, smoking, and health status. Among males, the middle and high strength tertiles were non-significantly associated with 32.9% (p = 0.21) and 9.9% (p = 0.74) reduced odds of developing depression, respectively. Among females, the middle and high strength tertiles were non-significantly associated with 28.5% (p = 0.13) and significantly associated with 43.4% (p = 0.01) reduced odds of developing depression, respectively. In the total sample, the middle and high strength tertiles were significantly associated with 31.5% (p = 0.04) and 34.1% (p = 0.02) reduced odds of developing depression, respectively. The interaction between sex and strength was not statistically significant (p = 0.25). The present findings indicated that grip strength was inversely associated with incident depression in older adults, with stronger associations observed among females than males.

The Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The salutary effects of resistance exercise training (RET) are well established, including increased strength and function; however, less is known regarding the effects of RET on mental health outcomes. Aerobic exercise has well-documented positive effects on anxiety, but a quantitative synthesis of RET effects on anxiety is needed. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the population effect size for resistance exercise training (RET) effects on anxiety and to determine whether variables of logical, theoretical, and/or prior empirical relation to anxiety moderate the overall effect. METHODS: Thirty-one effects were derived from 16 articles published before February 2017, located using Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Trials involved 922 participants (mean age = 43 ± 21 years, 68% female/32% male) and included both randomization to RET (n = 486) or a non-active control condition (n = 436), and a validated anxiety outcome measured at baseline, mid-, and/or post-intervention. Hedges' d effect sizes were computed and random effects models were used for all analyses. Meta-regression quantified the extent to which participant and trial characteristics moderated the mean effect. RESULTS: RET significantly reduced anxiety symptoms (Δ = 0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.44; z = 4.43; p < 0.001). Significant heterogeneity was not indicated (Q T(30) = 40.5, p > 0.09; I 2 = 28.3%, 95% CI 10.17-42.81); sampling error accounted for 77.7% of observed variance. Larger effects were found among healthy participants (Δ = 0.50, 95% CI 0.22-0.78) compared to participants with a physical or mental illness (Δ = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.31, z = 2.16, p < 0.04). Effect sizes did not significantly vary according to sex (ß = -0.31), age (ß = -0.10), control condition (ß = 0.08), program length (ß = 0.07), session duration (ß = 0.08), frequency (ß = -0.10), intensity (ß = -0.18), anxiety recall time frame (ß = 0.21), or whether strength significantly improved (ß = 0.19) (all p ≥ 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: RET significantly improves anxiety symptoms among both healthy participants and participants with a physical or mental illness. Improvements were not moderated by sex, or based on features of RET. Future trials should compare RET to other empirically-supported therapies for anxiety.