Sex Differences in Children with Uncomplicated Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Sleep Problems.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 7.6% of children are diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep impairments affect 25-85%. There is a noticeable lack of research on girls and sex differences. The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in children with uncomplicated ADHD and sleep problems. METHODS: Cross-sectional baseline data were retrieved from a randomized controlled trial with weighted blankets (55 boys and 41 girls, 6-14 years) on a cohort recently diagnosed with uncomplicated ADHD and sleep problems. Differences between boys and girls in ADHD symptoms, objectively and subjectively measured sleep, anxiety, and functioning were examined via parent- or self-reported validated instruments. RESULTS: Girls reported significantly lower (worse) satisfaction with well-being, life overall, and school, but not for family. Parents reported more sleep anxiety and night-time wakings among boys, but no sex differences in other measures and also not in self-reported measures or objective sleep measures. Children who reported worry, sadness, or unhappiness had more sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS: Boys with ADHD and sleep problems may need support with sleep-related anxiety and night-time wakings, while girls may require support with overall functioning. Additionally, children who express feelings of worry, sadness, or unhappiness alongside their ADHD symptoms should have attention given to their sleep.

Changed sleep according to weighted blanket adherence in a 16-week sleep intervention among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine differences in sample characteristics and longitudinal sleep outcomes according to weighted blanket adherence. METHODS: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n =94), mean age 9.0 (sd 2.2, range 6-14) participated in a 16-week sleep intervention with weighted blankets (WB). Children were classified as WB adherent (use of WB ≥ 4 nights/week) or non-adherent (use of WB ≤ 3 nights/week). Changes in objectively measured sleep by actigraphy, parent-reported sleep problems (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)) and child-reported Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were evaluated according to adherence with mixed effect models. Gender, age, and ADHD subtype were examined as potential moderators. RESULTS: Children adherent to WBs (48/94) showed an early response in sleep outcomes and an acceptance of the WB after four weeks of use as well as a decrease in parent- (CSHQ) (-5.73, P = .000) and child-reported sleep problems (ISI) (-4.29, P = .005) after 16 weeks. The improvement in sleep was larger among WB adherent vs. non-adherent (between-group difference: CSHQ: -2.09, P = .038; ISI: -2.58, P =.007). Total sleep time was stable for children adherent to WB but decreased for non-adherent (between-group difference: +16.90, P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: An early response in sleep and acceptance of the WB predicted later adherence to WBs. Improvements in sleep were more likely among WB adherents vs. non-adherents. Children with ADHD may thus benefit from using WBs to handle their sleep problems.

Empowered and engaged: Group exercise for adolescent depression - perspectives from adolescents, parents and healthcare professionals.

Objectives: Depression is increasing and is a leading cause of disease burden among adolescents. Available evidence-based treatments with medication or psychotherapy have modest effects. Aerobic exercise is a hopeful alternative as an augmenter or a stand-alone treatment. Qualitative studies have shown that participants in group exercise for adolescent depression experienced improved mood and a sense of achievement, commitment and empowerment. This study aimed to explore not only adolescents' but also parents' and healthcare professionals' experiences of a group exercise intervention for adolescents with depression. Methods: Nine adolescents who had participated in a group aerobic exercise intervention for 12 weeks, eight parents and two healthcare professionals were interviewed. We used a latent qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach that resulted in nine sub-categories, three categories and an overarching theme. Results: The experiences of a group exercise intervention for adolescents with depression were expressed in the overarching theme 'Group exercise for adolescent depression promotes empowerment and engagement in everyday life', based on three categories: exercise alleviates depressive symptoms, exercise contributes to balance in life and exercise promotes self-esteem. However, there was variation in our results, in that not all participants experienced improvements from exercising. Adolescents described more varied experiences, while parents and healthcare professionals mainly expressed positive views. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that group exercise for adolescent depression promotes empowerment and engagement in everyday life, according to adolescents, and more clearly so according to parents and healthcare professionals.

The efficacy of weighted blankets for sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-A randomized controlled crossover trial.

Weighted blankets are a non-pharmacological intervention for treating sleep and anxiety problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, research on the efficacy of weighted blankets is sparse. The aim of this randomized controlled trial with a crossover design (4 + 4 weeks) was to evaluate the efficacy of weighted blankets on sleep among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleeping problems. Children diagnosed with uncomplicated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with verified sleep problems were randomized to start with either a weighted blanket or a lighter control blanket. Data collection was performed at weeks 0, 4 and 8 using actigraphy, questionnaires and a daily sleep diary. T-tests were used to evaluate efficacy. The study included 94 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (mean age 9.0 [sd 2.2] years; 54 [57.4%] boys). Weighted blankets had a significant effect on total sleep time (mean diff. 7.72 min, p = 0.027, Cohen's d = 0.24), sleep efficiency (mean diff. 0.82%, p = 0.038, Cohen's d = 0.23) and wake after sleep onset (mean diff. -2.79 min, p = 0.015, Cohen's d = -0.27), but not on sleep-onset latency (p = 0.432). According to our exploratory subgroup analyses, weighted blankets may be especially beneficial for improving total sleep time in children aged 11-14 years (Cohen's d = 0.53, p = 0.009) and in children with the inattentive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder subtype (Cohen's d = 0.58, p = 0.016). Our results suggest that weighted blankets may improve children's sleep and could be used as an alternative to pharmacological sleep interventions.

Inverse association of anti-inflammatory prescription fills and suicide-related mortality in young adults: Evidence from a nationwide study of Swedish regions, 2006-2021.

Background: This cross-sectional study examined nationwide real-world associations between anti-inflammatory agent fills and suicide-related death rates in 20-24-year-olds across the 21 Swedish regions during 2006-2021. Methods: Nationwide Swedish registers were used to compare regional year-wise suicide-related mortality (SRM) and dispensations for anti-inflammatory agents (ATC-code: M01) in 20-24-year-olds. Dispensations for paracetamol (ATC-code: N02BE01) was applied as a control variable. Associations between regional year-wise SRM and dispensation rates were analyzed by sex-stratified zero-inflated generalized linear mixed effect models (GLMM). Dispensation rates of paracetamol and inflammatory agents were designated as independent fixed effects variables, and year and region constituted random-intercept effects. Results: Acetic acid derivatives and related substances (M01AB) and propionic acid derivates (M01A3) accounted for ∼71% of measured dispensation fills for anti-inflammatory agents. Diclofenac fills constituted ∼98% of the former category, whereas dispensations for Ibuprofen (∼21%), Naproxen (∼62%) and Ketoprofen (∼13%) constituted the most prescribed agents in the latter category. Regional yearly dispensation rates of anti-inflammatory agents in 20-24-year-old females were inversely associated with female SRM (ß = -0.095, p = 0.0393, 95% CI -0.186, -0.005) - independent of paracetamol rates, which were unassociated to SRM (p = 0.2094). Results were confirmed in validation analyses for anti-inflammatory agents (OR = 0.7232, p = 0.0354, 95% CI [OR] 0.5347, 0.9781). No association was demonstrated in males (p = 0.833). Conclusion: Anti-inflammatory agent dispensation rates were independently associated to lower suicide-related death rates in female 20-24-year-olds. This adds to growing evidence implicating inflammatory processes in mental disorders, warranting trials focusing on the suicide preventative potential of anti-inflammatories in young adults.

Association of Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis With Suicide Mortality Rates in Adolescents in Sweden.

Importance: The association of early diagnosis and management of bipolar disorder with adolescent suicide mortality (ASM) is unknown. Objective: To assess regional associations between ASM and bipolar disorder diagnosis frequencies. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study investigated the association between annual regional ASM and bipolar disorder diagnosis rates in Swedish adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2021. Aggregated data without exclusions reported at the regional level encompassed 585 suicide deaths, constituting 588 unique observations (ie, 21 regions, 14 years, 2 sexes). Exposures: Bipolar disorder diagnosis frequencies and lithium dispensation rates were designated as fixed-effects variables (interaction term in the case of males). An interaction term between psychiatric care affiliation rates and the proportion of psychiatric visits to inpatient and outpatient clinics constituted independent fixed-effects variables. Region and year comprised random intercept effect modifiers. Variables were population adjusted and corrected for heterogeneity in reporting standards. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were sex-stratified, regional, and annual ASM rates in adolescents aged 15 to 19 years per 100 000 inhabitants as analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Results: Female adolescents were diagnosed with bipolar disorder almost 3 times more often than male adolescents (mean [SD], 149.0 [19.6] vs 55.3 [6.1] per 100 000 inhabitants, respectively). Median regional prevalence rates of bipolar disorder varied over the national median by a factor of 0.46 to 2.61 and 0.00 to 1.82 in females and males, respectively. Bipolar disorder diagnosis rates were inversely associated with male ASM (ß = -0.00429; SE, 0.002; 95% CI, -0.0081 to -0.0004; P = .03) independent of lithium treatment and psychiatric care affiliation rates. This association was replicated by ß-binomial models of a dichotomized quartile 4 ASM variable (odds ratio, 0.630; 95% CI, 0.457-0.869; P = .005), and both models were robust after adjusting for annual regional diagnosis rates of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. No such association was observed in females. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, lower suicide death rates in adolescent males was robustly associated with regional diagnosis rates of bipolar disorder at an estimated magnitude of approximately 4.7% of the mean national suicide death rate. The associations could be due to treatment efficacy, early diagnosis and management, or other factors not accounted for.

Regional clozapine, ECT and lithium usage inversely associated with excess suicide rates in male adolescents.

Advanced psychiatric treatments remain uncertain in preventing suicide among adolescents. Across the 21 Swedish regions, using nationwide registers between 2016-2020, we found negative correlation between adolescent excess suicide mortality (AESM) and regional frequencies of clozapine, ECT, and lithium (CEL) usage among adolescents (ß = -0.613, p = 0.0003, 95% CI: -0.338, -0.889) and males (ß = -0.404, p = 0.009, 95% CI: -0.130, -0.678). No correlation was found among females (p = 0.197). Highest CEL usage among male adolescents was seen in regions with lowest quartile (Q1) AESM (W = 74, p = 0.012). Regional CEL treatment frequency in 15-19-year-olds was related to lower AESM in males, reflecting potential treatment efficacy, treatment compliance or better-quality mental health care. Suicide prevention may benefit from early recognition and CEL treatment for severe mental illness in male adolescents. The results indicate association but further research, using independent samples and both prospective and observational methodologies, is needed to confirm causality.

Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties.

Introduction: Sleeping difficulties are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A sleep intervention with weighted blankets was designed to increase current understanding of using weighted blankets to target children's individual needs in connection with sleep and daytime functioning. Aim: To explore how children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties experience the use of weighted blankets. Methods: An explorative qualitative design in which 26 children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties, 6-15 years old, were interviewed about a sleep intervention with weighted blankets. Four categories emerged from qualitative content analysis. Results: Children's experiences revealed that the use of weighted blankets 1) requires a commitment, by adjusting according to needs and preferences and adapting to the environment; 2) improves emotional regulation by feeling calm and feeling safe; 3) changes sleeping patterns by creating new routines for sleep and improving sleep quality; and 4) promotes everyday participation by promoting daily function and balancing activity and sleep. Conclusions: Using weighted blankets promoted children's management of daily life with ADHD and sleeping difficulties. Occupational therapists can improve the assessment and delivery of weighted blankets tailored to individual needs based on increased knowledge from the children themselves.

Separation and not residency permit restores function in resignation syndrome: a retrospective cohort study.

Despite poor treatment results, a family-oriented approach and the securing of residency have been deemed essential to recovery from resignation syndrome (RS). In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated an alternative method involving environmental therapy, with patients separated from their parents, while actively abstaining from involving the asylum process in treatment. We examined medical records, social services acts, and residential care home acts from 13 individuals treated at Solsidan residential care home between 2005 and 2020. Severity and outcome were assessed with Clinical Global Impression, Severity and Improvement subscales. Thirteen participants were included and out of these nine (69%) recovered, i.e. they very much or much improved. Out of the eight that were separated, all recovered, also, one non-separated recovered. The difference in outcome between subjects separated and not was significant (p = 0.007). Moreover, out of the five which received a residency permit during treatment, one recovered whereas four did not. The difference in outcome between subjects granted residency and not was significant (p = 0.007). The data revealed three (23%) cases of simulation where parents were suspected to have instigated symptoms. Our evaluation suggests that separation from parents and abstaining from invoking residency permit could be essential components when treating RS. Relying on a family-oriented approach, and residency could even be detrimental to recovery. The examined intervention was successful also in cases of probable malingering by proxy.

Moderate-to-vigorous group aerobic exercise versus group leisure activities for mild-to-moderate depression in adolescents: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is common, increasing among adolescents and carries risk of disability, lower educational achievements, cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, self-harm and suicide. The effects of evidence-based treatments with medication or psychotherapy are modest. Aerobic exercise is a promising intervention for adolescents with depression, but available studies are hampered by methodological shortcomings. This study aims to evaluate aerobic group exercise versus an active comparator of leisure group activities in adolescents from clinical services with mild-to-moderate depression. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a multicentre randomised controlled trial at four psychiatric clinics in Sweden. Participants (n=122) will be randomised 1:1 to group exercise delivered by exercise professionals and supported by mental health (MH) workers or leisure activities lead by the same MH workers for 1 hour three times a week for 12 weeks. Participants will be assessed at baseline, single blind after 13 weeks and 26 weeks and openly after 1 year. Participants randomised to the leisure group will be offered exercise in the open phase. The primary outcome is clinician-rated Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Secondary outcomes are self-rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, self-rated functioning; clinician-rated improvement and functioning; objectively measured aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and presence or activity of selected biological markers of neuroprotection and neuroinflammation in blood samples. Further outcomes are cost-effectiveness and adolescents', parents' and coaches' experiences of the interventions and an exploration of how the adolescents' health and lifestyle are influenced by the interventions through qualitative interviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Ref. 2021-05307-01). Informed consent in writing will be provided from patients and parents of participants below 15 years of age. The results of this study will be communicated to the included participants and healthcare providers and also submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05076214.

Pervasive Refusal Syndrome: Three Case Reports-Autism as a Predisposing Factor and Gentle Coercion to Shorten Duration of Disorder?

Background: Pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS) is a severe child psychiatric syndrome not yet included in the international classification and mostly affecting girls aged 7-15 years. Hospital admission and severe loss of function extend for many months and years but most recover. Autism has been suggested as a predisposing factor but largely lacks support for typical cases of PRS. Treatment is not evidence-based and described as requiring a lengthy inpatient stay with a very gradual and sensitive rehabilitation program. Case Presentations. Three cases of pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS) in girls aged 9-16 years are presented to report autism as a predisposing factor and to discuss gentle coercion as part of the management strategy to speed up the lengthy recovery. The cases, which met the proposed criteria and typical background characteristics, were noted with the addition of undiagnosed autism in two cases. The duration of inpatient admission was 8-14 months. Disease duration was 15-36 months. An adequate but negative lorazepam trial to rule out catatonia was carried out. Treatment was in one case successfully expedited with gentle coercion within a transparent management plan. Rehabilitation was slower in PRS with comorbid autism; additionally, accommodations to school and living support needed to be put in place. Conclusions: PRS is a useful clinical entity and best perceived as a primitive reaction to overwhelming stress rather than as catatonia. Autism might be another predisposing factor and needs to be assessed. A psychoeducational approach and a clear management plan support rehabilitation. A gentle coercion might hasten recovery.

Adolescents' Long-Term Experiences of Manageability, Comprehensibility, and Meaningfulness of a Group-Based Exercise Intervention for Depression.

Physical exercise is a potentially effective treatment for adolescents with mild to moderate depression. However, there is a lack of long-term follow-ups to reveal adolescents' experiences of exercise as a treatment for depression. The salutogenic concept of sense of coherence (SOC), comprising the domains manageability, comprehensibility, and meaningfulness is important to understand behaviour change. This study aimed to describe adolescents' long-term experiences of manageability, comprehensibility, and meaningfulness of a group-based exercise intervention for depression. Fourteen adolescents with persistent depression were recruited from a psychiatric outpatient clinic and interviewed one year after participating in a 14-week moderate to vigorous exercise intervention for depression. An abductive qualitative content analysis was conducted, based on the three SOC domains manageability, comprehensibility, and meaningfulness. The results revealed that participation in the intervention was made manageable by a supportive environment, including: the intervention design, togetherness with peer group, and encouragement from adults. The comprehensibility of the intervention emerged through the insights regarding health benefits of exercise and the aim of the intervention. Meaningfulness was achieved through improved health behaviour, well-being and self-esteem, along with strengthened belief in the future and increased commitment to everyday life. The group-based exercise intervention was experienced as manageable, comprehensible, and meaningful.

SLEEP: intervention with weighted blankets for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep problems: study protocol for a randomised control trial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have an increased risk of sleep problems. Weighted blankets are one possible non-pharmacological intervention for these problems in this group of children. However, the effectiveness of weighted blankets is insufficiently investigated. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of weighted blankets in terms of sleep, health-related outcomes and cost-effectiveness as well as to explore children's and parents' experiences of a sleep intervention with weighted blankets. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial comparing the effect of weighted fibre blankets (active) with fibre blankets without weight (control). Children aged 6-13 years, recently diagnosed with uncomplicated ADHD with verified sleep problems, were included in the study. The study period is 4 weeks for each condition, respectively, and then an 8-week follow-up. A total of 100 children diagnosed with ADHD and sleep problems will enter the study. The primary outcomes are sleep and cost per quality-adjusted life years. The secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life, ADHD symptoms, psychological distress and anxiety. Interviews with a subsample of the participating children and parents will be conducted for exploring the experiences of the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval of the trial has been obtained from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (number 2019--2158) and conforms to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (WMA, 2013). Results will be reported as presentations at peer-review conferences, in articles in peer-review journals and meetings with healthcare providers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04180189.

Youth with severe mental illness and complex non-somatic motor abnormalities: conflicting conceptualizations and unequal treatment.

Two emerging diagnostic concepts promote distinct treatments for youth with acute-onset motor abnormalities and severe concurrent psychiatric symptoms: Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric catatonia. Both have institutional approval in parts of Europe and in the USA, meriting an unconditional comparison of supporting evidence. Here we report results of qualitative and quantitative analyses of literature and Swedish National Registry Data suggesting that (1) catatonic patients are liable to fulfilling diagnostic criteria for PANS, (2) three conservatively assessed PANS case-reports present with possible unrecognized catatonia, (3) lithium and electroconvulsive therapy usage frequencies in Swedish minors (exclusively recommended for severe mental illness) are strongly intercorrelated and unequally distributed across Swedish counties, (4) established severe mental disorders are rarely overtly considered amongst PANS-specific research and (5) best-available evidence treatments appear markedly superior for pediatric catatonia compared to PANS in both childhood and adolescence. Prioritizing treatments for pediatric catatonia in concerned subjects could markedly improve treatment outcomes.

Parents' Experiences of Weighted Blankets' Impact on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Sleep Problems-A Qualitative Study.

Sleep disturbances are common among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While pharmacological treatment has increased dramatically, parents often prefer non-pharmacological interventions. Research on experiences of weighted blankets and their effect in sleep improvement is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore parents' experiences of weighted blankets for children with ADHD and sleep problems, and the impact on their children's sleep. The explorative design was based on qualitative content analysis. Interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 24 parents of children with ADHD and sleep problems, after completing a sleep intervention with weighted blankets for 16 weeks. Parents reported that children sleeping with weighted blankets: (1) achieved satisfactory sleep, including improved sleep onset latency, sleep continuity, and sleep routines; (2) achieved overall well-being, including improved relaxation and reduced anxiety; and (3) mastered everyday life, including improved balance in life, family function, and participation in school and leisure activities. This study brings forward novel aspects of the effects of improved sleep among children with ADHD. The findings contribute to the understanding of potential positive effects of an intervention with weighted blankets critical for clinical practice to improve sleep, well-being, and everyday life of children with ADHD and their families.

Diagnostic efficiency and validity of the DSM-oriented Child Behavior Checklist and Youth Self-Report scales in a clinical sample of Swedish youth.

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) are widely used measures of psychiatric symptoms and lately also adapted to the DSM. The incremental validity of adding the scales to each other has not been studied. We validated the DSM subscales for affective, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD), oppositional defiant (ODD), conduct problems (CD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in consecutively referred child and adolescent psychiatric outpatients (n = 267) against LEAD DSM-IV diagnoses based on the K-SADS-PL and subsequent clinical work-up. Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that the diagnostic efficiency for most scales were moderate with an area under the curve (AUC) between 0.70 and 0.90 except for CBCL CD, which had high accuracy (AUC>0.90) in line with previous studies showing the acceptable utility of the CBCL DSM scales and the YSR affective, anxiety, and CD scales, while YSR ODD and OCD had low accuracy (AUC<0.70). The findings mostly reveal incremental validity (using logistic regression analyses) for adding the adolescent to the parent version (or vice versa). Youth and parent ratings contributed equally to predict depression and anxiety disorders, while parent ratings were a stronger predictor for ADHD. However, the youth ADHD rating also contributed. Adding young people as informants for ODD and OCD or adding the parent for CD did not improve accuracy. The findings for depression, anxiety disorders, and ADHD support using more than one informant when conducting screening in a clinical context.

Adolescents' Experiences of Facilitators for and Barriers to Maintaining Exercise 12 Months after a Group-Based Intervention for Depression.

Exercise can improve health among adolescents with depression. Understanding facilitators for and barriers to maintaining exercise among adolescents with depression may increase adherence to exercise and consequently improve health. The aim was to explore adolescents' experiences of facilitators for and barriers to maintaining exercise after a group-based exercise intervention for depression. Interviews (n = 14) were conducted 12 months after the exercise intervention. A qualitative content analysis was used to extract facilitators and barriers. Facilitators for maintaining exercise among adolescents with depression were (1) greater self-esteem by having companionship while exercising and by achieving exercise results and (2) having a supportive environment in terms of accessibility and coaching. Barriers to maintaining exercise were (1) disease burden due to fatigue, social anxiety, and a lack of drive, and (2) lack of a supportive environment including a lack of social support, as well as structural support. In conclusion, facilitating enhanced self-esteem and continuous support for exercising are important for adolescents with depression to maintain exercise. The disease burden of depression is a substantial barrier that needs to be considered to maintain exercise. The findings can contribute to the development of services that promote and coordinate exercise as a treatment among adolescents with depression.

Aerobic exercise for adolescent outpatients with persistent major depression: Feasibility and acceptability of moderate to vigorous group exercise in a clinically referred sample.

AIMS: To assess feasibility and acceptability of exercise in clinically referred adolescents with major depression. METHODS: Outpatients12 to 17 years with mild to moderate persistent depression participated in a supervised, pulse monitored, 14-week aerobic exercise but without control group. Primary outcome was adherence and secondary was clinician-rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Adolescent (QIDS-A17-C), aerobic capacity, functioning, and well-being. RESULTS: Twenty-one (66%) of 32 eligible adolescents with major depression with disease duration 2.4 (1.1-5.3) years and comorbid ADHD (71%) and anxiety disorders (62%) consented. Estimated maximum heart rate above 70% was achieved for mean 31.6 minutes, indicating that the intensity and duration of the exercise intervention was well received. Fourteen patients (67%) participated throughout the program and attended a median of 29 (81%, range 20-35) supporting satisfaction with the intervention by most patients. QIDS-A17-C score decreased compared to baseline at 15 weeks (p < .001) and further at 1 year (p < .001). Aerobic capacity improved during the intervention but was not maintained, while functioning improved and after 1 year also well-being. CONCLUSION: This 14 week moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise intervention was feasible and well accepted by most adolescents with persistent depression and extensive comorbidities.

Joy of living through exercise - a qualitative study of clinically referred adolescents' experiences of moderate to vigorous exercise as treatment for depression.

AIM: Depression is common and rising in adolescents. Recent meta-analyses indicate a moderate effect of exercise on depression symptoms. Clinically referred adolescents and their experiences of an exercise intervention have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to describe clinically referred adolescents' experience of moderate to vigorous exercise as a treatment for depression. METHODS: A total of 16 clinically referred adolescents with persistent major depression, who had taken part in a 14-week aerobic exercise intervention of moderate to vigorous intensity, were interviewed. Data was analysed by latent qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: After taking part in the exercise intervention the adolescents expressed enhanced participation in daily life and joy of living by demonstrating commitment and a sense of empowerment. The categories contained both improved vitality and structure of everyday life as well as improved self-esteem and self-control. Participation in the exercise intervention changed their self-image, relationships, school performance, and family life. The adolescents highlighted that exercising in a group was beneficial, giving security and structure. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with persistent depression experienced several beneficial aspects of participating in an aerobic group exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity.