Resistance exercise training among young adults with analogue generalized anxiety disorder

Brett R Gordon; Cillian P McDowell; Mark Lyons; Matthew P Herring

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.020

Resistance exercise training among young adults with analogue generalized anxiety disorder

J Affect Disord. 2021 Feb 15:281:153-159. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.020. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Authors

Brett R Gordon¹, Cillian P McDowell², Mark Lyons³, Matthew P Herring⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania, United States of America. Electronic address: brg5334@psu.edu.
² Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania, United States of America; The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
³ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
⁴ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

PMID: 33321380
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.020

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Anxious; Muscle Strengthening Activity; Strength training; Worry.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders / therapy
Exercise
Humans
Resistance Training*
Waiting Lists
Young Adult