The Effects of Physical Activity Intervention on Depression Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Forfatter(e)
- Ma, S., Liu, H., Xie, P., Sun, C., Meng, M., Jiang, Y., Wu, B., Gao, J., Feng, L., Xia, W., Qu, G., Sun, Y.
- År
- 2025
- Tidsskrift
- International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Volum
- 23
- Sider
- 23
- Kategori(er)
- Depresjon og nedstemthet (inkl. både vansker og lidelse)
- Tiltakstype(r)
- Fysisk aktivitet
- Abstract
PURPOSE
Depression is the second most prevalent mental disease among adolescents, yet only a small percentage seek or receive treatment for the disease. Physical activity (PA) interventions hold promise as an alternative or adjunct to clinical treatment for depression. However, previous studies have been inconsistent regarding the relationship between PA and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of PA intervention on depressive symptoms in children and adolescents through a meta-analysis.
METHODS
Literature from 10 electronic databases and 4 registries was systematically searched. Combined estimates (standardized mean difference, SMD) and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model to assess the effect of PA on depressive symptoms in adolescents. Relevant subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
RESULTS
Results showed that PA improved depressive symptoms in children and adolescents (SMD = -0.707, 95% CI: -0.901 to -0.514). Subgroup analyses showed that PA improved adolescent depressive symptoms in different regions, different types of PA, moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA, different single-session time PA, different frequency PA, and different duration PA.
CONCLUSIONS
PA interventions could be used to reduce depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. A mixed program and vigorous-intensity PA intervention was the most effective in improving depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. The selection of a 4 to 8-week, no less than 4 times per week, single-session PA program of no more than 30 min may yield desirable results.